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| Name | Caption |
|---|---|
| Scene Folder | Input scene folder |
| Output Folder | Output folder |
| Output File Type | Output file type |
| Output File Options | Output file options |
| Overwrite Results | Overwrite existing results |
| Send Email | Email notification settings |
| Ingest Method | Link or import data |
| Build Pyramids | Builds pyramids |
| Create GCP/TP Exclusion Mask | Create an exclusion mask |
| DEM Source | DEM tile source |
| Source Background Type | Source background type |
| Source Background Value | Source background pixel value |
| Output Background Value | Output background value |
| Master Matching Channel | Master matching channel |
| Math Model | Input math model |
| RF Math Model Order | RPC adjustment order |
| Reference Images | Input reference images folder |
| Select Reference by Resolution | Select reference images by resolution |
| Reference Channel for Matching | Reference image channel to use for matching |
| Sampling Method | GCP sampling method |
| GCP Samples | Number of GCP samples to collect |
| Matching Algorithm | Matching algorithm |
| Collection Strategy | Number of passes for GCP collection |
| Search Radius | Search radius (pixels) |
| Minimum Score | Minimum score (percentage) |
| Chip Database File | Input chip database file |
| Chip Channels | Input chip database channels |
| Chip Matching Algorithm | Chip Matching algorithm |
| Chip Search Radius | Chip Search radius (pixels) |
| Chip Minimum Score | Chip minimum score (percentage) |
| Road Network | Input road network path |
| Road Width Field Name | Input road width field name |
| Road Width Scale & Offset | Input road width scale & offset |
| Polygon Vector File | Input polygon vector file |
| GCP Text Files | Input GCP text file or files |
| GCP Text File Format | File format of GCP text file |
| Water Mask File | Input water-mask file |
| Prune GCPs Automatically | Prune GCPs automatically |
| GCP Retention Percentage | Percentage of GCPs to keep |
| Refine GCPs | Whether to refine GCPs |
| Rejection Method | GCP rejection method |
| Rejection Method Thresholds | GCP rejection method thresholds |
| Maximum GCPs | Maximum GCPs to accept |
| Minimum GCPs | Minimum GCPs to accept |
| Refine GCPs (Block) | Whether to refine GCPs |
| Rejection Method (Block) | GCP rejection method |
| Residual Threshold (Block) | Residual Threshold |
| Residual Threshold Type (Block) | Residual Threshold Type |
| Maximum Residual Per GCP | Maximum Residual Per GCP |
| Minimum GCPs Per Image | Minimum GCPs Per Image |
| Sampling Method | Tie-point-sampling method |
| TP Samples | Number of tie point samples to collect |
| Trials per TP | Number of attempts to collect a TP for each candidate |
| Distribution Area | Area of image in which to distrbute TPs |
| Matching Algorithm | Matching algorithm |
| Matching Channels | Matching channels |
| TP Search Radius | Tie point search radius |
| TP Minimum Score | Tie point minimum score |
| Thin Tie Points | Whether to thin tie points |
| TP Rejection Method | Tie point rejection method |
| TP Rejection Method Thresholds | Tie point rejection method thresholds |
| Rejection Limit Percentage | Maximum percentage of TPs to eliminate per iteration |
| Rejection Action | Disposition of rejected TPs |
| Output Map Units | Output projection |
| Panchromatic Pixel Output Size | Panchromatic output pixel size |
| Multispectral Pixel Output Size | Multispectral output pixel size |
| Resampling Method | Resampling method |
| Edge Sharpen | Amount of sharpening to image edges |
| AdaptRadiometry | Adapt radiometric values to input MS images |
| Resampling Method Extra Options | Extra options for resampling method |
| Raster Channels | List of channels |
| Sampling Interval Range | Range from sampling interval is selected |
| Alignment Position | Relative alignment position to the first pixel in the orthorectified image |
| Alignment Extra Options | The stride of alignment grid and reference points |
| Save Intermediate Files | Save intermediate files |
| Matching Channels | The channels from the input images to use for matching |
| Search Radius | Search radius (pixels) |
| Grid Spacing | The grid spacing for matching on the reference image |
| FFT Size | FFT template matching size |
| Generate Offsets For Every Pixel | Whether to generate X/Y offsets for every pixel or at a coarser resolution interpolating and resampling between pixels |
| Minimum Score | Minimum score (percentage) |
| Point Matching Strategy | The matching point strategy to select a point when multiple overlapping reference images exist |
| Point Cleaning Level | Level of filtering that is applied to the match points |
| Exclusion Masks To Use | Choose exclusion masks to use |
| Create Accuracy Assessment Map | Create accuracy assessment map |
| Grid Spacing | The grid spacing for matching on the reference image |
| Point Cleaning Level | Level of filtering that is applied to the match points |
| Exclusion Masks To Use | Choose exclusion masks to use |
| Create Pansharpened Images | Create pansharpened images |
| Pansharpening Method | Pansharpening method to use |
| Multispectral Sharpening Channels | Multispectral sharpening channels |
| Multispectral Reference Channels | Multispectral reference channels |
| Resampling Method | Resampling method |
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Scene Folder
The path and name of the folder containing scenes to ingest.
Output Folder
The path and name of the folder to which to write the output files.
Output File Type
The format of the output file.
For more information on the supported file formats, see GDB-supported file formats.
Output File Options
The options to apply when creating the output file or files. The available options are specific to the file format; in each case, the default of no options is allowed.
For more information on the options available for the output file type you specify, see GDB-supported file formats.
Overwrite Results
Select this check box to overwrite the existing output files, if any exist. If this check box is left clear, and an output file exists in the relevant folder, the status of the job displays a message informing you of the existence and name of the output file. The message is also written to the event log of the job.
Send Email
If necessary, you can set up CATALYST Enterprise to send an email notification on job start and job completion.
With this check box selected, an email message is sent to each address specified in the Email Addresses box after the job starts and on completion.
You can specify one or more addresses, and each must be separated by a comma or a semi-colon. The email address of the user currently logged in displays by default.
Ingest Method
Select whether to link or import the data specified in the scene folder.
This method may take longer to ingest the data; however, it improves the overall performance of the workflow.
This method ingests data very quickly; however, subsequent steps of the workflow may take longer to complete.
Build Pyramids
This check box controls whether to build image pyramids (raster overviews) for the ingested scenes.
Building pyramids improves performance in some subsequent processing steps. They can use the pyramids instead of reading all the pixels. However, building pyramids can cause the ingest job to take longer to complete. If immediately after ingestion you intend only to create orthorectified images, you need not build pyramids.
When to turn on pyramids:
For more information on pyramids, see the Pyramid module.
Create GCP/TP Exclusion Mask
Selected by default, this check box controls whether to create a bitmap exclusion mask for each multispectral (MS) scene.
An exclusion mask prevents ground control points (GCP), tie points (TP), or both from being created in areas identified by the mask when you run a module that performs GCP collection.
For more information about using an exclusion mask, see the GCP/TP Exclusion-Mask Generation module.
DEM Source
The name of a single digital elevation model (DEM) file or a folder containing one or more DEM tiles.
The index.txt file lists the DEM files contained in the specified folder and provides information describing each DEM tile. The information in the DEM index file supersedes other DEM parameters in the module; all other DEM-related parameters are ignored. For more information about the format of the index.txt file and specific requirements for the individual DEM tiles, see Format of the DEM index file.
When the value of DEM Source is the name of an existing folder, the module searches that folder for a file named index.txt, and a set of DEM raster tiles. The index.txt file contains a single vector channel that lists the DEM files contained in the specified folder and provides information describing each DEM tile.
If no value is specified for this parameter, the module uses the default global DEM installed with CATALYST Enterprise (gmted2010).
Source Background Type
The method to use to determine which pixels in the source image to process as background (NoData) pixels. In general, if a pixel is considered NoData, the module processes it in a specific manner.
If the Any option or the All option is selected, a value must be specified for the Source Background Value parameter.
File Metadata, else None: reads the NoData value from the input-file metadata. The module first checks for the file-level metadata tag NO_DATA_VALUE in the source raster. If the tag is present, this value is used as a default for all channels in the file. Next, the module checks for channel-level NoData tags; if one is found, the channel-level value overrides the file-level value for that channel.
If there are channel-level NoData tags, but no file-level tag, a pixel is considered as NoData if each of the channels with a NoData tag corresponds to its NoData value. In this case, channels without a NoData tag are ignored when identifying background pixels.
If the file does not contain NoData tags, all pixels in the source image are considered valid.
For specific examples, see the Source Background Value parameter description.
Source Background Value
The source background value is provided as either a single number (applied to all channels) or as a pixel "stack" (a comma-delimited list of values). If a pixel stack is provided, but the number of values does not equal the number of channels, the list is truncated or the last value is repeated as necessary. The background values provided is truncated to the range allowed by the source image data type.
Source Background Type set to All and Source Background Value set to 0: a pixel is considered background if all three channels are zero.
Output Background Value
The background (NoData) value to use for pixels that are not populated.
The specified background value is truncated to the range allowed by the source image data type.
When you specify one value, all channels are set to the same NoData value. If you want to specify different values for various channels, separate the values with commas. For example, to specify -32768 for channel 1 and zero for channel 2 (and any subsequent channels), enter "-32768, 0".
Master Matching Channel
The channel from the input image to use for matching when collecting ground control points (GCPs). If no value is specified for this parameter, channel 1 is used, by default.
Math Model
The math model to use for collection of ground control points (GCPs) and, subsequently, orthorectification.
The module first attempts to use the selected math model. If required information is missing from the specified math model, the module automatically tries to use another math-model option and, subsequently, a warning message is displayed.
RF Math Model Order
When using the Rational Function with satellite imagery, you can modify the RF math model to better agree with collected ground control points (GCPs) by selecting the correct RF math-model order.
Typically, performing a first-order transformation is best, except when the GCPs are not well distributed. If your GCPs are clustered together, a first-order transformation may introduce new and significant errors in the image away from the GCPs. If your GCPs are not well distributed, you will probably obtain better results with the zero-order transformation.
Reference Images
The path of a single reference image or a folder containing multiple reference images to be used for automatic collection of ground control points (GCP). Alternatively, you can enter a comma-delimited list of raster-image file names.
To use multiple GDB-supported geocoded reference images for automatic GCP collection, you can specify a reference-image folder (GDB-compatible) and an associated (GDB-compatible) digital elevation model for automatic GCP collection. The specified folder can contain multiple reference images to use for collecting GCPs.
The value of Reference Images is an image file that has been orthorectified previously for use with to automatic GCP collection. The GCPs collected from one or more of the reference images are stored in a GCP segment of the PCISDK image. The module also creates an OrthoEngine project that contains the same GCPs for quality- assurance (QA) tasks and manual editing.
When collecting GCPs using reference images, the module searches for ORTHO_X_ACCURACY and ORTHO_Y_ACCURACY metadata tags in the images. When such tags are present, the module uses those values to determine the accuracy of each GCP, thereby weighting the value of that point against others. The ORTHO_X_ACCURACY and ORTHO_Y_ACCURACY metadata tags are set in the Index PIX File Creator module. If no metadata tags are found in the reference image, the GCP accuracy is calculated to be half of the resolution of the reference image.
Select Reference by Resolution
If selected, the selection of reference imagery is based on resolution of input source imagery.
Reference Channel for Matching
The channel from reference image to use for matching when collecting ground control points (GCPs). Channel 1 is the default.
Sampling Method
The method to use to create ground control point (GCP) samples from the source imagery.
When collecting GCPs, the Grid option is recommended because the Susan option finds candidates on building corners that may not be represented in the digital elevation model (DEM), leading to GCPs with higher residuals due to height errors.
GCP Samples
The maximum number of ground control points (GCPs) to collect per reference image. For example, when a raw scene overlaps four reference images and you specify the value of this parameter as 50, the maximum number of GCPs collected is four times that value for a total of 200 (50 x 4 = 200).
If you are using the Grid option, available values are:
If using the Susan option, available values are:
Matching Algorithm
The algorithm to use for automated point matching.
When the two images being matched have similar gray values and appearances, Normalized Cross-Correlation (NCC) generally produces acceptable results. When there is a rotation or image-size error in the initial math models, NCC may produce better matching results than FFTP. Typically, this method also generates faster results, because the template size that NCC uses is smaller than that used by FFTP.
For more consistently accurate results, FFTP is recommended. This method uses a larger template size than NCC and, because it works in the frequency domain, it looks at the patterns of details in the image rather than the gray values in a small neighborhood, which NCC uses. This makes FFTP more robust than NCC when there is a large difference in brightness between images or when a major land-use change has occurred between the images. FFTP also allows for a better match between images of the same area from different sensors or spectral bands.
Collection Strategy
Number of passes in which to collect ground control points (GCPs) from reference images.
The first pass uses a coarse strategy, and the second uses a fine. When the input images are inaccurate, a two-pass strategy is recommended.
When the input data is geometrically close to the reference data, and for making final adjustments, a fine strategy is recommended.
While a fine strategy is the most accurate at collecting GCPs, it is slower than a coarse strategy.
When the accuracy of the input data is of poor quality, and to manually run two or more passes, a coarse strategy is recommended.
A coarse strategy adjusts the input data such that it is geometrically close to the reference imagery without too much overhead.
While a coarse strategy is faster than fine at collecting GCPs, it is less accurate.
Search Radius
The distance in the x and y directions from a starting location on the reference image over which the search for the best match with a fixed point on the input image is conducted.
The search radius is an estimation of error with the raw image's positional information and the digital elevation model (DEM) accuracy. If you know that your image is accurate to within 80 meters, and your DEM is accurate to within 200 meters, set the search radius to 280 meters. A larger search radius requires more processing time, because more locations are evaluated to determine the best match for a ground control point (GCP).
If this parameter is not specified, the function uses a default search radius based on the resolution of input data.
Minimum Score
The threshold value that controls whether a candidate ground control point (GCP) is accepted as a GCP or rejected. This parameter specifies the minimum-match quality that is considered acceptable, with 1.0 indicating a perfect match.
When using the Fast Fourier Transform Phase matching algorithm, this value is converted internally to a minimum acceptable phase-shift peak value.
When using the Normalized Cross-Correlation matching algorithm, this value specifies the minimum match score value required to accept a local match between the input and reference images as a GCP. The default value is 0.75.
Chip Database File
The path and file name of the chip database to use for automatically collecting ground control points (GCPs).
The module collects the GCPs from the chip database, and then automatically saves them to a GCP segment of the PCIDSK image associated with the GCP.
To improve the spatial accuracy of the collected GCPs, the chip database should contain high-quality image chips from a comparable sensor taken in similar conditions and be well-distributed over all of the scenes to be corrected.
Chip Channels
The number of the channels in the chip database to use for automated ground control point (GCP) matching.
Chip Matching Algorithm
The algorithm used for automated ground control point (GCP) matching.
Chip Search Radius
The distance in the x and y directions from a starting location on the reference image over which the search for the best match with a fixed point on the input image is conducted.
The search radius is an estimation of error with the raw image's positional information and the accuracy of the digital elevation model (DEM). For example, if you know your image is accurate to within 80 meters and your DEM is accurate to within 200 meters, set the search radius to 280 meters. A larger search radius requires more processing time, due to more locations being evaluated to determine the best match for a ground control point (GCP).
If no value is specified for this parameter, the module uses the same value specified for the Search Radius parameter.
Chip Minimum Score
The threshold value that controls whether a candidate ground control point (GCP) is accepted or rejected as a GCP. This parameter specifies the minimum match quality that is considered an acceptable match, with 1.0 indicating a perfect match.
When using the Fast Fourier Transform Phase matching algorithm, this value is converted internally to a minimum acceptable phase shift peak value.
When using the Normalized Cross-Correlation matching algorithm, this value specifies the minimum match score value required to accept a local match between the input and reference images as a GCP. The system default value is 0.75.
Road Network
The path to a vector file that contains the road-network layers to use for automatic collection of ground control points (GCP).
GCP collection from the road network extracts GCPs by matching an optical image with rasterized lines.
The GCPs are collected automatically by matching patches in the image with roads. Matching is performed in the spatial-frequency domain using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to transform and match image patches and rasterized lines. The matching algorithm is based on the Kuglin and Hines (1975) paper cited in the References section later in this topic.
In a typical application, between 100 and 200 GCPs are extracted, with most of them being correct. The GCPs can then be used in automated image-orthorectification workflows. This method is well-suited to midresolution images from 5 meters through 15 meters.
Road Width Field Name
The field name of an attribute in the vector segment. The field must contain one or two numerical values. The values are converted to a line width, in meters. Float, double, and integer fields are supported.
If this parameter is not specified, then the following field names are checked:
If none of these fields exist, then the Road Width Scale & Offset parameter defines the width of all lines in the file.
If the field does exist, and it contains a single value, then the scale factor part of the Road Width Scale & Offset parameter is used in the computation of the road width:
If the field exists, and it contains two values, then the two values in the Road Width Scale & Offset parameter are used to compute the road width:
Road Width Scale & Offset
The scale and offset, in meters, used in conjunction with the Road Width Field Name parameter to compute the road width in meters. This parameter contains one or two values. The first value, the road width scale (roadWidthScale), must be greater than zero. If specified, the second value, the road width offset (roadWidthOffset), must be non-negative.
If no value is specified for the Road Width Field Name parameter, the road width scale defines the width of all lines (in meters) in the file and the second value is ignored.
If a value for the Road Width Field Name parameter is specified, the scale and offset values are used to convert attribute values in the field to road width values, in meters. For more information, see the description of the Road Width Field Name parameter.
Polygon Vector File
The path to a file containing the polygon layers to be used for automatic collection of ground control points (GCP). The path may also specify a folder containing multiple polygon files.
GCP Text Files
The path and file name of a text file, or a folder of text files, that contains ground control points (GCPs) from other sources.
Each text file must have the MAPUNITS parameter specified in its required format. You can also specify up to two additional parameters, ELEVREF, and ELEVUNIT. The following table shows the supported values, a description, and an example for each parameter.
| Parameter | Supported values | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAPUNITS | PIXEL | Pixel and line | MAPUNITS=PIXEL |
| UTM | Universal Transverse Mercator | MAPUNITS=UTM 32 T D000 | |
| SPCS | State Plane Coordinate System | MAPUNITS=SPCS | |
| LONG/LAT | Longitude and latitude | MAPUNITS=LONG/LAT D000 | |
| METER | Image along-row and along-column, in meters | MAPUNITS=METER | |
| FEET | Image along-row and along-column, in feet | MAPUNITS=FEET | |
| ELEVREF | MSL | Mean sea level | ELEVREF=MSL |
| ELLIPS | Ellipsoid | ELEVREF=ELLIPS | |
| ELEVUNIT | METER | Meters | ELEVUNIT=METER |
| US_FEET | U.S. feet | ELEVUNIT=US_FEET | |
| FEET | Feet | ELEVUNIT=FEET |
When the path points to a folder, each text file must follow a naming convention, <filename>*GCP.txt, where <filename> is the file name of the ingested image.
GCP Text File Format
The format of the file or files specified for the GCP Text File parameter, if specified.
The available formats, including a link to an example of each, are as follows.
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| 2D: ID P L X Y S |
|
| 2DERR: ID P L X Y eP eL eX eY S |
|
| 3D: ID P L X Y Z S |
|
| 3DERR: ID P L X Y Z eP eL eX eY eZ S |
|
| Bulk GCP File |
|
Water Mask File
The path to a file that contains the polygon water-mask layer to be used for refinement of ground control points (GCPs). The path can also specify a folder that contains multiple water-mask files.
Prune GCPs Automatically
Selected by default, this check box controls whether to automatically prune the ground control points (GCPs) spatially. Pruning helps to achieve a complete coverage of image extents by GCPs, without overweighting any particular area with too many points. The spatially uniform GCP coverage ensures that the math model refined with the points is stable and accurate.
You can use this parameter in conjunction with GCP Retention Percentage to set how to prune the GCPs.
GCP Retention Percentage
Available when the Prune GCPs Automatically check box is unselected, the entered value determines the percentage of GCPs to be retained. The process adapts to the density of GCPs in different parts of the image.
GCP Retention Percentage is a value between 1 and 100, with larger values retaining a higher fraction of available GCPs. Blunder and duplicate GCPs are always eliminated; therefore, even with 100 percent requested, some GCPs may be eliminated.
Refine GCPs
Selected by default, this check box controls whether to refine the ground control points (GCP). Refinement is to systematically eliminate GCPs that have large errors. To retain the integrity of the GCPs you have imported or otherwise referenced in a text file associated with the project, clear the Refine GCPs check box.
Rejection Method
The method used to reject ground control points (GCP).
You can specify various values for this parameter, depending on the method selected.
Rejection Method Thresholds
The rejection threshold values for the value selected for the Rejection Method parameter.
Automatic: selects the most appropriate rejection method thresholds, based on the sensor of the input scene
RMS Error: rejection starts from the point with the largest residual error for any point, then recalculates the math model and RMS error. If the RMS error is still above the specified thresholds, the point with the next highest residual is removed and so on, until the x-RMS and y-RMS errors are equal to or less than THRESH1 pixels or THRESH2 pixels.
For example, a value of 2,2 rejects points with the highest residuals until the x-RMS and y-RMS are both less than two pixels.
Standard Deviation: THRESH1 and THRESH2 represent the minimum standard deviation values of the x and y residuals to be rejected, respectively.
For example, a value of 2,1 rejects points that have a standard deviation higher than two of the resX mean, and rejects points that have a standard deviation higher than one of the resY mean.
Percentage: THRESH1 represents the percentage of the number of points to be rejected and THRESH2 represents the ratio weighing between the x and y residuals. For example, if you set a rejection weight of 2, you are giving twice the weight to the x-residual (resX) as to the y-residual (resY). By default, the residual in x and y have the same weight. Therefore, if you have a point with a resX of 0.4 and a resY of 0.5, the point is given a resX of 0.8 and a resY of 0.5 for the rejection.
For example, a value of 5, 2 rejects five percent of GCPs, and gives the x-residual (resX) twice the weight as that of the y-residual (resY).
Absolute Distance: THRESH1 and THRESH2 represent the minimum absolute x and y pixel residuals to be rejected. The rejection starts from the point with the largest x or y residual distance.
For example, a value of 2,2 rejects points with a resX of greater than two pixels, and rejects points with a resY of greater than two pixels.
Absolute Number: THRESH1 represents the number of points to be rejected and THRESH2 represents the ratio weighing between the x and y residuals. For example, if you set a rejection weight of 2, you are giving twice the weight to the x-residual (resX) as to the y-residual (resY). By default, the residual in x and y have the same weight. Therefore, if you have a point with a resX of 0.4 and a resY of 0.5, the point is given a resX of 0.8 and a resY of 0.5 for the rejection.
For example, a value of 10, 0.5 rejects 10 GCPs, and gives the x-residual (resX) half the weight of the y-residual (resY).
Maximum GCPs
The maximum number of ground control points (GCPs) to accept.
After the module performs an initial collection of GCPs using the reference data, it refines the collection to ensure that only the most accurate points are retained.
If there are more GCPs collected than the specified maximum value, the module performs a second refinement, keeping only the GCPs with the lowest RMS error, up to the specified maximum number of GCPs. The second refinement uses the following rejection method:
RMS Error: for the second refinement, the rejection threshold value is set to the specified Maximum GCPs value.
Minimum GCPs
The minimum number of ground control points (GCPs) to accept.
After the module performs an initial collection of GCPs using the reference data, it refines the GCPs, and then verifies that the number of remaining GCPs is greater than or equal to the minimum number of GCPs.
RMS Error: for the second refinement, both rejection threshold values (THRESH1, THRESH2) are quadrupled.
For example, an initial threshold of 1,1 is relaxed to 4,4.
Standard Deviation: for the second refinement, both rejection threshold values (THRESH1, THRESH2) are quadrupled.
For example, an initial threshold of 2,1 is relaxed to 8,4.
Percentage: for the second refinement, the first rejection threshold value (THRESH1) is divided in half; the second (THRESH2) is left as is.
For example, an initial threshold of 10,2 is modified to 5,2.
Absolute Distance: for the second refinement, both rejection threshold values (THRESH1, THRESH2) are quadrupled.
For example, an initial threshold of 2,2 is relaxed to 8,8.
Absolute Number for the second refinement, the first rejection threshold value (THRESH1) is doubled; the second (THRESH2) is left as is.
For example, an initial threshold of 20,0.5 is modified to 40,0.5.
If there are still too few GCPs after the second refinement, the module aborts and displays an error message.
Refine GCPs (Block)
Selected by default, this check box controls whether to refine the ground control points (GCP) on the final block of images/GCPs. Refinement is to systematically eliminate GCPs that have large errors. To retain the integrity of the GCPs you have imported or otherwise referenced in a text file associated with the project, clear the Refine GCPs check box.
Rejection Method (Block)
The method used to reject GCPs.
Residual Threshold (Block)
The job removes GCPs until the Block Residual Threshold is reached. The method in which GCPs are removed is defined by the Rejection Method (Block).
Residual Threshold Type (Block)
The statistic used to reject GCPs.
Maximum Residual Per GCP
The maximum residual a GCP can have after refinement.
Minimum GCPs Per Image
Refinement stops removing GCPs from an image if the image does not contain the specified amount of GCPs.
Sampling Method
The method to use to create tie-point samples from the source imagery.
For tie-point collection, the Susan option is often preferred because it facilitates performing quality assurance on the collected tie points: you can visualize a recognizable feature (perhaps a building corner or specific tree, for example) and compare it with the other image to see if it matches correctly.
TP Samples
The maximum number of tie points to collect.
When using the Grid option, acceptable values are:
When using the Susan option, available values are:
Trials per TP
The maximum number of attempts to find a match. The module attempts to match the primary sample point and, if that fails, selects alternate points within the same grid cell until a match succeeds or the number of trials is reached. The value you specify must be an integer ranging from 1 through 500.
Distribution Area
The area of each image in which to distribute tie points (TP).
Matching Algorithm
The algorithm to use for automated point matching.
When the two images being matched have similar gray values and appearances, Normalized Cross-Correlation (NCC) generally produces acceptable results. When there is a rotation or image-size error in the initial math models, NCC may produce better matching results than FFTP. Typically, NCC also generates faster results, because the template size it uses is smaller than that used by FFTP.
For more consistently accurate results, FFTP is recommended. This method uses a larger template size than NCC and, because it works in the frequency domain, it looks at the patterns of details in the image rather than the gray values in a small neighborhood, which NCC uses. This makes FFTP more robust than NCC when there is a large difference in brightness between images or when a major land-use change has occurred between the images. FFTP also allows for a better match between images of the same area from different sensors or spectral bands.
Matching Channels
The channel or channels in the image file from which to extract the TPs.
When this parameter specifies multiple channels, the channel data is averaged together. If no value is specified for this parameter, its value defaults to channel 1.
TP Search Radius
The maximum search radius, in pixels, for TPs. This controls the size of the area to search when seeking a match. A higher value increases the search area to be considered while matching each point, thereby increasing the processing time. Pixels in the search area is inspected for similarity within a small window (template) from the raw image. The pixel with the highest degree of similarity is accepted if it passes the match-acceptance criteria. The specified value should be slightly greater than the expected inaccuracy of registration between the two images, due to all possible causes. For example, if the nominal model of a satellite image is known to be accurate to approximately 100 pixels, and DEM inaccuracies can add another 30 pixels, then the search radius should be set to about 150 pixels. The poorer the accuracy of the initial match location estimate, the larger the search radius should be.
TP Minimum Score
The minimum-acceptance value for the correlation score that is considered to be a valid match. Valid values range from 0 to 1. For a match to become a TP, its match score must be greater than the specified value.
Thin Tie Points
Select this check box to thin the number of tie points (TP) collected.
That is, sometimes TP collection can gather too many points on each image. The distribution of the points may also be too varied. By thinning the points, you can reduce the number collected and distribute the points more consistently. Computation time is also reduced, because the detection of points requires less effort.
TP Rejection Method
The method used to reject tie points (TP).
You can specify various values for this parameter, depending on the method selected.
TP Rejection Method Thresholds
The rejection threshold values for the value selected for the Rejection Method parameter.
The maximum number of iterations is 10 when the number of TPs is less than 100,000, and five when the number of TPs is equal to or greater than 100,000.
RMS Error: rejection starts from the point with the largest residual error for any point, and then recalculates the math model and RMS error. If the RMS error is still above the specified thresholds, the point with the next highest residual is removed and so on, until the x-RMS and y-RMS errors are equal to or less than THRESH1 pixels or THRESH2 pixels.
For example, a value of 2,2 rejects points with the highest residuals until the x-RMS and y-RMS are both less than two pixels.
Standard Deviation: THRESH1 and THRESH2 represent the minimum standard deviation values of the x and y residuals to be rejected, respectively.
For example, a value of 2,1 rejects points that have a standard deviation higher than two of the resX mean, and rejects points that have a standard deviation higher than one of the resY mean.
Percentage: THRESH1 represents the percentage of the number of points to be rejected and THRESH2 represents the ratio weighing between the x and y residuals. For example, if you set a rejection weight of 2, you are giving twice the weight to the x-residual (resX) as to the y-residual (resY). By default, the residual in x and y have the same weight. Therefore, if you have a point with a resX of 0.4 and a resY of 0.5, the point is given a resX of 0.8 and a resY of 0.5 for the rejection.
For example, a value of 5, 2 rejects five percent of TPs, and gives the x-residual (resX) twice the weight as that of the y-residual (resY).
Absolute Distance: THRESH1 and THRESH2 represent the minimum absolute x and y pixel residuals to be rejected. The rejection starts from the point with the largest x or y residual distance.
For example, a value of 2,2 rejects points with a resX of greater than two pixels, and rejects points with a resY of greater than two pixels.
Absolute Number: THRESH1 represents the number of points to be rejected and THRESH2 represents the ratio weighing between the x and y residuals. For example, if you set a rejection weight of 2, you are giving twice the weight to the x-residual (resX) as to the y-residual (resY). By default, the residual in x and y have the same weight. Therefore, if you have a point with a resX of 0.4 and a resY of 0.5, the point is given a resX of 0.8 and a resY of 0.5 for the rejection.
For example, a value of 10, 0.5 rejects 10 TPs, and gives the x-residual (resX) half the weight of the y-residual (resY).
Rejection Limit Percentage
The maximum percentage of the initial number of TPs to eliminate per refinement iteration.
Rejection Action
The action to take to process TPs rejected during thinning, refinement, or both.
Output Map Units
The projection of the output imagery.
The value of this parameter must be in the PCI Projection String format.
UTM: Universal Transverse Mercator
The value specified can be the UTM grid zone number and row, and Earth model, as follows:
UTM [mm] [r] [Ennn]
SPCS: State Plane Coordinate System
The SPCS zone number and Earth model can be specified as follows:
SPCS [mmmm] [Ennn]
LONG/LAT: Longitude and latitude
The Earth model can be specified for LONG/LAT (and other units except PIXEL), as follows:
LONG/LAT [Ennn]
If the Earth model is not specified, it is assumed to be E000 (Clarke 1866).
EPSG: European Petroleum Survey Group code
You can specify the projection by entering an EPSG code defined by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). For information on the code definitions, visit epsg.org and spatialreference.org.
The EPSG code is specified using the EPSG keyword followed by an integer and separated by a colon; for example:
EPSG:4326
Most common EPSG codes are supported.
METER: Image along-row and along-column meters
FEET: Image along-row and along-column feet
LCC D350 | 0 0 3.0 46.5 44.0 49.0 700000 6600000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1
If you do not specify a value for Output Map Units, the map unit of the input image is used for the output image. If the input data is a variety of map units, the map unit of each output image is that of its corresponding input image. In such a case, it is recommended that you specify the output map units.
You can also specify the label of a projection defined in the userproj.txt file.
Panchromatic Pixel Output Size
The output spatial resolution for the panchromatic imagery to be orthorectified.
The units for the pixel size must match the units selected for the Map Units parameter; for example, if the map units are specified as UTM, the panchromatic pixel output size is in meters.
If no value is specified for this parameter, the pixel output size is based on the input math model associated with each scene in the input-scenes folder.
Multispectral Pixel Output Size
The output spatial resolution for the multispectral imagery to be orthorectified.
The units for the pixel size must match the units specified for the Map Units parameter; for example, if the value of Map Units is specified as UTM, the multispectral pixel output size is in meters.
If no value for this parameter is specified, the pixel output size is based on the input math model associated with each scene in the input-scenes folder.
Resampling Method
The resampling method to use during processing.
Edge Sharpen
Amount of sharpening to image edges to apply. A value of 1.0 (default) means no edge sharpening. Values greater than 1.0 apply greater sharpening. Values greater than 2.0 are not recommended.
Applying edge sharpening makes image more visually appealing but may degrade radiometric similarity with the original multispectral (MS) data.
AdaptRadiometry
Method to adapt the output spectral values to those of the input multispectral (MS) image.
Adapting the radiometry can better match to the original multispectral image. The two methods are linear regression based on a small sliding window and an estimate of the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF).
Resampling Method Extra Options
SHAPINGWINDOW=[sw],BETA=[beta]
where:
SHAPINGWINDOW specifies a window to attenuate the SINC coefficients to reduce resampling artifacts. The value can be KAISER, HAMMING, HANN, LANCZOS, PARABOLA, or NONE. SHAPINGWINDOW is optional; the default value is KAISER. BETA is applicable only when SHAPINGWINDOW is KAISER. SHAPINGWINDOW determines the shape of the KAISER window; a larger BETA value produces greater attenuation of the SINC coefficients. Its value can be between 1.0 and 10.0. BETA is optional.
NUMCOLS=[nc],NUMROWS=[nr]
NUMCOLS=[nc],NUMROWS=[nr]
where:
NUMCOLS and NUMROWS can be any value between 1 and 11.
DSFACTORCOL=[dc],DSFACTORROW=[dr]
where:
DSFACTORCOL is the fraction downsampling factor in col (>=1). If not specified, a default factor is computed automatically based on the output and input pixel sizes. DSFACTORROW is the fraction downsampling factor in row (>=1). If not specified, default to the value of DSFACTORCOL.
Raster Channels
A comma-delimited list of channels; for example, 1,2,5.
This parameter is optional. If you do not specify a value, all of the channels in the input files is used.
Sampling Interval Range
The range from which the sampling interval is selected. The range consists of two values: a minimum and maximum sampling interval. When you specify a range, the sampling interval is calculated based on the ratio of the resolution of the digital elevation model (DEM) and that of the output orthorectification.
When you specify only a single value, the value is used as the sampling interval and not calculated.
Sampling Interval Range = 1, 4 DEM resolution = 10m Ortho resolution = 5m Ratio = 2 Sampling Interval = 2
Sampling Interval Range = 2, 6 DEM resolution = 1m, 1m Ortho resolution = 0.1m, 0.2m Ratio = 10, 5 Sampling Interval = floor((0.1+0.2) / 2) = 7.5 Final Sampling Interval = 6 (because maximum in range forces to 6)
Sampling Interval Range = 2, 4 DEM resolution = 1m, 1m Ortho resolution = 5m, 5m Ratio = 1/5, 1/5 Sampling Interval = floor((1/5+1/5) / 2) = 0 Final Sampling Interval = 4 (because minimum in range forces to 4)
The sampling interval is the pixel spacing at which the math model is evaluated to determine the source raster location of the orthorectified pixel. A value of 1 performs a rigorous calculation on each output pixel.
With sampling intervals of 2 or greater, the intermediate pixels are the projection from the image to the Earth surface and is approximated by linearly interpolating it from the nearest locations at which the full orthorectification operation was performed.
A value of 1 is suitable in most situations. With math models that are more computationally intensive, a higher value can improve performance, but is at the expense of accuracy. The amount of loss of accuracy depends on the viewing geometry, resolution of the digital elevation model (DEM), and roughness of the DEM. When the area of interest features rugged areas, a higher value may degrade the detail of the terrain correction.
Alignment Position
By specifying an adjustment you can generate orthorectified images that fall on a specific raster grid.
Alignment Extra Options
These values define the position of the corner or center in the raster grid.
Of the four values, only Stride_X is required. If not specified, Stride_Y defaults to the Stride_X value, and Ref_X and Ref_Y default to zero.
In the following example, the upper-left corner of the upper-left pixel of each tile is an even 20-meter multiple from the reference point (432345.000, 5438882.000). Depending on the distance of the tile from that point, its upper-left corner coordinate could be 432345.000, 432045.000, or any other multiple, but is never 432346.000 or 432355.000.
Example:
"CORNER, 20, 20, 432345.000, 5438882.000"
If specified, this parameter is applied in all scenarios, whether the image-corner coordinates come from the input file (MFILE), ULX and ULY, or through automatic computation.
Save Intermediate Files
Select this check box to save any supporting files created during processing.
By keeping the files, you can use them to analyze intermediate results and, if necessary, fix any minor issues. You can then restart the job without having to regenerate all the supporting data, thereby reducing processing time.
Matching Channels
The input channels that contain the imagery to be used in matching.
Typically this is a single channel. Up to three channels can be specified. If extra channels are specified then matching is attempted on all channels and the results are used to cross check for blunders, potentially resulting in better accuracy, though at the cost of significantly higher processing time.
If you do not specify a value for this parameter, channel 1 is used, by default.
Search Radius
The distance in the x and y directions from a starting location on the reference image over which the search for the best match with a fixed point on the input image is conducted.
The search radius is an estimation of error with the raw image's positional information and the digital elevation model (DEM) accuracy. If you know that your image is accurate to within 80 meters, and your DEM is accurate to within 200 meters, set the search radius to 280 meters. A larger search radius requires more processing time, because more locations are evaluated to determine the best match for a ground control point (GCP).
If this parameter is not specified, the function uses a default search radius based on the resolution of input data.
Grid Spacing
The spacing in pixels between the points on a grid, for matching on the reference image.
Values between 1 and 500 are supported and typically a value between 10 and 50 is used. Smaller grid spacings can model finer mismatch detail and take longer to run. In most cases a value of 25 is a good balance between detail and running time. If the orthorectified imagery is far apart in time (for example 5 years) and looks quite different, a smaller grid may be necessary since many of the grid locations may fail to find a match.
If you do not specify a value for this parameter, 25 is used, by default.
FFT Size
Specifies the FFT template matching size in pixels. Larger sizes tend to have fewer blunders, but are less precise and run more slowly.
Generate Offsets For Every Pixel
Select this check box to to generate X/Y offsets all valid pixels.
Generating an offset for every pixel produces better overall results, at the cost of more processing time and increased disk space.
Minimum Score
The threshold value that controls whether a candidate ground control point (GCP) is accepted as a GCP or rejected. This parameter specifies the minimum-match quality that is considered acceptable, with 1.0 indicating a perfect match.
When using the Fast Fourier Transform Phase matching algorithm, this value is converted internally to a minimum acceptable phase-shift peak value.
When using the Normalized Cross-Correlation matching algorithm, this value specifies the minimum match score value required to accept a local match between the input and reference images as a GCP. The default value is 0.75.
Point Matching Strategy
The strategy to be used for managing matching points when multiple reference images are provided.
Point Cleaning Level
Level of filtering, to eliminate bad matches, that is applied to the match points. Filtering removes blunders and smooths the results. The more filtering applied, the more blunders are removed and smoothing is done, resulting in potentially less accurate results.
Exclusion Masks To Use
Whether to exclude match points due to the bitmap exclusion masks in the reference image or input image.
Create Accuracy Assessment Map
Create accuracy assessment map by comparing orthorectified images against reference images.
Grid Spacing
The spacing in pixels between the points on a grid, for matching on the reference image.
Values between 1 and 500 are supported and typically a value between 10 and 50 is used. Smaller grid spacings can model finer mismatch detail and take longer to run. In most cases a value of 25 is a good balance between detail and running time. If the orthorectified imagery is far apart in time (for example 5 years) and looks quite different, a smaller grid may be necessary since many of the grid locations may fail to find a match.
If you do not specify a value for this parameter, 25 is used, by default.
Point Cleaning Level
Level of filtering, to eliminate bad matches, that is applied to the match points. Filtering removes blunders and smooths the results. The more filtering applied, the more blunders are removed and smoothing is done, resulting in potentially less accurate results.
Exclusion Masks To Use
Whether to exclude match points due to the bitmap exclusion masks in the reference image or input image.
Create Pansharpened Images
Select this check box to pansharpen the geometrically corrected imagery.
With this check box selected, the module creates pansharpened images from MS and PAN pairs based on the value selected for the Pansharpening Method parameter.
Pansharpening Method
The method to use for pansharpening.Multispectral Sharpening Channels
A comma-delimited list of the multispectral channels to sharpen.
If no value is specified for this parameter, all channels are processed by default. These channels are fused with the high-resolution, panchromatic image data.
Multispectral Reference Channels
A comma-delimited list of the multispectral channels to use as reference for the sharpening process.
If no value is specified for this parameter, all channels are processed by default. These channels, and those of the panchromatic image, span the same range of frequency (wavelength) response.
When no reference channel is specified, the module determines the appropriate reference bands based on the available wavelength information for both the panchromatic and multispectral files.
Resampling Method
The resampling method to use during processing.
The resampling method is only available for UNB pansharpening.
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Preprocessing requirements
Before running this module, the following requirements must be met to ensure the job processes successfully and produces accurate results:
Module details
The Automated Geometric Correction module imports satellite imagery into CATALYST Enterprise for processing and produces output geometrically corrected images or pansharpened images.
About GCP collection on road vectors
This module extracts ground control points (GCPs) by matching an optical or SAR image with rasterized lines.
The module is designed to extract GCPs from road vectors in medium-resolution images with resolutions from about 4 meters through 15 meters. It models each road as a ribbon with a sinc-like cross-section. The ribbon is either dark on a uniform bright background, or bright on a dark background. The width of the ribbon is either set explicitly or derived from attributes of each road segment, such as the number of traffic lanes.
This model works very well for mid-resolution images, such as SPOT and Landsat 7 PAN, and provides GCPs accurate to about 1 pixel, or within 5 meters through 10 meters. PCI extended to higher-resolution images by averaging the images down to the matching resolution of 3 meters through 6 meters. The matcher can also be directed to try both bright-on-dark or dark-on-bright matches at every point, and then select whichever one is better.
Inherent accuracy of road vectors
This factor alone limits the achievable accuracy of GCPs extracted from road vectors. Canadian experience shows that most road vectors have an accuracy of about 5 meter through 10 meter; for example, the current Canadian national road network claims an accuracy of 6.5 meters. In addition, many road vectors are less accurate, or even in disagreement with the images, due to rapid land-use changes in many areas. The road GCP module can even cope with large inaccuracies, or fail for such GCPs, but the overall achievable accuracy is limited.
Road model used
The "smooth-ribbon" model is well suited to mid-resolution images, particularly in non-urban areas. However, it becomes inadequate at higher resolutions due to other details in the images, such as vehicles, street furniture, road markings, vegetation, and building and tree shadows. Objects such as these introduce significant clutter, and lower the overall accuracy of the matches. These matches are often rejected. If they are not rejected, the matcher settles on nearby, more uniform linear objects, such as bright rooftops of large buildings or their shadows.
Varied appearance of roads
The roads may not be uniformly brighter or darker than their surroundings, as the model assumes. Their appearance depends on the spectral bands of the matched image, type and age of the road-surface material, season (snow versus no snow), and even the moisture content. In many images, roads are mid-gray, and, in such a case, are not handled well by the tool.
Significant building lean in urban scenes
High-resolution satellites fly at lower altitudes and, therefore, introduce a higher degree of building lean. Some images can also be taken in off-nadir orientation, which magnifies this effect even more. In urban areas, leaning buildings often obscure streets, at which point the matcher either fails or matches incorrect features.
Elevated highways
In most instances, the elevations of GCPs are extracted from a bare-earth digital elevation model (DEM), while some of the GCPs can be extracted from elevated highways, bridges, or multilevel highway intersections or interchanges. Such features are matched correctly in the image space, but have incorrect (ground) elevations, which leads to biased GCPs and an inaccurate refined model.
All of the preceding factors contribute to the lowered accuracy of road GCPs in high-resolution images, and limit their accuracy to the 5-meter through 10-meter range. They also introduce a possibility of systematic biases, particularly along the viewing direction of the satellite.
Road GCPs extracted from high-resolution images are still useful if the biases in the original (nominal) model of the scene exceed 10 meters through 5 meters. However, if the nominal model is already accurate to greater than 10 meters, the model refined with the road GCPs may be less accurate than the nominal one.
Images with resolutions outside the optimum range will be processed, but the results may be unsatisfactory: few extracted GCPs for low-resolution images, and many incorrect matches for high-resolution images. The module issues a warning for images with pixel sizes less than 1.9 meters.
Naming convention for GCP IDs
Each GCP collected has an ID. The naming convention of the ID is described in the following table, where the GCP ID is: XXXXXXXX_YYYY_N.
| GCP ID element | Description |
|---|---|
| XXXXXXXX | Hash code of the input image |
| YYYY | Hash code of the reference data |
| N | Number of the GCP, one to any number |
Job results
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