Sensor-Fusion-Enhanced Multi-camera Dynamic Aerial Photogrammetry

To address the DTRA’s need for a multi-camera aerial photogrammetry solution accurately measuring dynamic deformations of 3-dimensional surfaces while permitting relative camera movement, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Sensor-Fusion-Enhanced Multi-camera Aerial Photogrammetry (SFEMCAP) system. It will utilize commercial off-the-shelf, low-size, -weight, and -power satellite/inertial navigation components and cameras to enable direct georeferencing and mutual optical tracking of multiple aerial platforms carrying photogrammetric cameras (PCs) and engaged in photogrammetry as a team. Specifically, innovation in fusing data from the system’s components will enable high-precision tracking of exterior orientation parameters of several moving PCs, permitting accurate photogrammetric reconstruction of static or moving surfaces imaged simultaneously by these PCs. Reconstruction accuracy will surpass that achieved through traditional aerial triangulation or direct georeferencing of each PC separately. Therefore, SFEMCAP technology will enable high-accuracy dynamic photogrammetry in the presence of relative PC motion, which directly addresses DTRA’s requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the technology’s feasibility, by developing and testing on the ground a technology readiness level (TRL)-3 prototype system, consisting of two to three identical imaging/georeferencing hardware modules and data processing software. In Phase II, the system will be refined, documented, and tested in more realistic conditions, reaching TRL-6.