Hansa Luftbild has selected Intergraph’s Z/I Imaging DMC digital mapping camera to establish a fully digital photogrammetric workflow. With the DMC, the company is able to provide digital acquisition, speed delivery of high-quality imagery, and offer enhanced aerial image options – black and white, color and infrared imagery.

Hansa Luftbild chose the DMC to be used alternatively with its existing film-based RMK TOP camera systems. Enhanced image quality, accuracy and speed as well as cost savings from eliminating film processing and scanning will enable Hansa Luftbild to meet the increased demand for digital imagery. In addition, with the DMC Hansa Luftbild can ensure successful photoflights, even under variable weather conditions.

The Digital Mapping Camera (DMC) offers high geometrical resolution and outstanding performance. The array sensor delivers stable and precise image geometry and produces the data in the standard central perspective view. Furthermore, the customary Forward Motion Compensation (FMC) does not have to be dispensed with, as this compensatory system has been taken over by the electronic image drift balance Time Delayed Integration (TDI) feature. The technology of the camera is based on Charge Coupled Device (CCD) frame (matrix) technology. Data is stored in three Flight Data Storage (FDS) units / Mission Data Records (MDR) which have a total capacity of 840 GB. The system can store more than 2,000 images with full resolution (12 bit, in 4-channel colour mode) which corresponds to more than 5 conventional rolls of film. Improved image quality even for flights made during bad weather, geometric precision and quick processing turnaround will enable Hansa Luftbild to meet the increasing demand for both quality and speed.

The most important new feature by comparison with the technology to date is the 4-channel colour mode. The software which processes the raw data can produce several different types of output files simultaneously from flight data extracts, in the requested colour, black and white, colour or colour infrared. Thus the imagery is available for immediate and varied types of postprocessing.

The image capture parameters of the DMC are as good as, or better, than those of a standard film camera. The digital capture technology provides improved radiometric resolution (12 bit), which, for example allows for clearer detail interpretation in shaded areas. The grain of the film is no longer relevant. Using full-framed CCD sensors the DMC image data has a known, precise and stable geometry, thus eliminating the need for fiducial marks. Stable geometry combined with high radiometric resolution improves measurement accuracy by comparison with film images. With over 100 megapixels the DMC is superior to medium format digital cameras and can achieve far more in a short flight time.

A project always begins with a survey flight. The effective useable image width allows for an economically expedient survey flight planning, which compensates in part for the increase in image numbers. The new DMC ensures successful project throughput from beginning to end.

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