FGDC-STD-008-1999

Federal Geographic Data Committee

Department of Agriculture • Department of Commerce • Department of Defense • Department of Energy

Department of Housing and Urban Development • Department of the Interior • Department of State

Department of Transportation • Environmental Protection Agency

Federal Emergency Management Agency • Library of Congress

National Aeronautics and Space Administration • National Archives and Records Administration

Tennessee Valley Authority

Content Standards for Digital Orthoimagery

Subcommittee on Base Cartographic Data

Federal Geographic Data Committee

February 1999
ii

Federal Geographic Data Committee

Established by Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, the Federal Geographic Data Committee

(FGDC) promotes the coordinated development, use, sharing, and dissemination of geographic data.

The FGDC is composed of representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense,

Energy, Housing and Urban Development, the Interior, State, and Transportation; the Environmental

Protection Agency; the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the Library of Congress; the National

Aeronautics and Space Administration; the National Archives and Records Administration; and the

Tennessee Valley Authority. Additional Federal agencies participate on FGDC subcommittees and

working groups. The Department of the Interior chairs the committee.

FGDC subcommittees work on issues related to data categories coordinated under the circular. 

Subcommittees establish and implement standards for data content, quality, and transfer; encourage the

exchange of information and the transfer of data; and organize the collection of geographic data to reduce

duplication of effort. Working groups are established for issues that transcend data categories.

For more information about the committee, or to be added to the committee's newsletter mailing list,

please contact:

Federal Geographic Data Committee Secretariat

c/o U.S. Geological Survey

590 National Center

Reston, Virginia 20192

Telephone: (703) 648-5514

Facsimile: (703) 648-5755

Internet (electronic mail): fgdc@www.fgdc.gov

Anonymous FTP: ftp://www.fgdc.gov/pub

World Wide Web: http://www.fgdc.gov/fgdc.html

CONTENTS
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Page

1. Introduction .............................................................. . 1

1.1 Objective ............................................................. . 1

1.2 Scope ............................................................... . 1

1.3 Applicability .......................................................... . 1

1.4 Relationship to existing standards .......................................... . 2

1.5 Standards Development Procedures ......................................... . 2

1.6 Maintenance .......................................................... . 2

2. Data Description .......................................................... . 3

3. Digital Orthoimagery Structure ............................................... . 3

3.1 Image Radiometry ...................................................... . 4

4. Digital Transfer Formats ................................................... . 4

4.1 Non-image Data ....................................................... . 5

5. Sources ................................................................. . 5

5.1 Seasonal and Time-of-day Considerations .................................... . 6

5.2 Aerial Photography ..................................................... . 6

5.2.1 Scanned images from aerial photography ............................ . 6

5.3 Electro-optical Images .................................................. . 7

5.4 Elevation Data ........................................................ . 7

5.5 Control .............................................................. . 7

5.6 Calibration Data ....................................................... . 8

6. Areal Extent ............................................................. . 8

7. Georeferencing ........................................................... . 8

8. Resolution .............................................................. . 10

8.1 Pixel Ground Resolution ................................................ . 10

8.2 Radiometric Resolution ................................................. . 10

9. Accuracy ............................................................... . 11

10. Data Quality ............................................................ . 12

10.1 Geometric Corrections ................................................ . 12

10.1.1 Image smears ............................................... . 13

10.1.2 Other DEM-related geometric distortions .......................... . 14
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10.2 Radiometric Correction ................................................ . 14

11. Data Completeness ....................................................... . 15

11.1 Cloud Coverage ..................................................... . 15

12. Image Mosaicking ........................................................ . 15

13. Metadata ............................................................... . 16

References .............................................................. . 17

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Example of an FGDC Compliant Metadata File (informative) ................... . 18

Appendix B: Definitions (informative) ............................................... . 35
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LIST OF PAGES

A complete and current copy of the “Content Standards for Digital Orthoimagery” consists of the pages

(and most recent creation or revision dates) listed below.

Page Date

ii thru 

v 02/99

1 thru

37 02/99
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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Objective

The objective of this standard is to define the orthoimagery theme of the digital geospatial

data framework as envisioned by the FGDC. It is the intent of this standard to set a common

baseline that will ensure the widest utility of digital orthoimagery for the user and producer

communities through enhanced data sharing and the reduction of redundant data production.

The framework will provide a base on which to collect, register, and integrate digital

geospatial information accurately. Digital orthoimagery is a part of this basic set of data

described as framework data. 

This standard is intended to facilitate the interchange and use of digital orthoimagery data

under the framework concept. Because of rapidly changing technologies in the geospatial

sciences, this standard for digital orthoimagery covers a range of specification issues, many

in general terms. This document stresses complete and accurate reporting of information

relating to quality control and standards employed in testing orthoimagery data. 

1.2 Scope

This standard describes processing, accuracy, reporting, and applications considerations for

NSDI Framework digital orthoimagery, and may be applicable to other data sets which

employ the FGDC Framework concepts. This standard is classified as a Data Content

Standard by the Federal Geographic Data Committee Standards Reference Model. Data

content standards provide semantic definitions of a set of objects, such as those described

above. 

1.3 Applicability

This standard applies to NSDI Framework digital orthoimagery produced, or disseminated

by or for the Federal Government. According to Executive Order 12906, Coordinating

Geographic Data Acquisition and Access: the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (Clinton,

1994, Sec. 4., Data Standards Activities), Federal agencies collecting or producing geospatial

data, either directly or indirectly (e.g. through grants, partnerships, or contracts with other

entities), shall ensure, prior to obligating funds for such activities, that data will be collected
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in a manner that meets all relevant standards adopted through the FGDC process.

1.4 Relationship to Existing Standards

Throughout this text there are numerous references to metadata and the FGDC's "Content

Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata" (FGDC, 1994). Whenever a comment about

metadata appears, the location of the data element description in that standard, placed in

parentheses ( ), will follow, or passages will be pointed to from the metadata example in

Appendix A. This document will also reference the Spatial Data Transfer Standards (Dept.

of Commerce, 1992), the National Map Accuracy Standard (U.S. Bureau of the Budget,

1947), and the FGDC National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy (FGCS,1996).

1.5 Standards Development Procedures

The draft Content Standards for Digital Orthoimagery have been developed by the

Subcommittee on Base Cartographic Data of the FGDC. The development of this standard is

guided by the FGDC Standards Reference Model. The Standards Reference Model,

developed by the Standards Working Group of the FGDC, provides guidance to FGDC

subcommittees for the standards development process. The model also defines the

expectations of FGDC standards, describes different types of geospatial standards, and

documents the FGDC standards process. 

1.6 Maintenance

The U.S. Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (USGS), National

Mapping Division, maintains the Content Standards for Digital Orthoimagery for the

Federal Geographic Data Committee. Address questions concerning this standard to: Chief,

National Mapping Division, USGS, 516 National Center, Reston, VA 20192.
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2. DATA DESCRIPTION

A digital orthoimage is a georeferenced image prepared from a perspective photograph or

other remotely-sensed data in which displacement of objects due to sensor orientation and

terrain relief have been removed. It has the geometric characteristics of a map and the

image qualities of a photograph. Digital orthoimages are composed of an array of

georeferenced pixels that encode ground reflectance as a discrete value. Digital

orthoimagery comes from various sources and in a number of formats, spatial resolutions,

and areas of coverage. Many geographic features, including some in other framework data

themes, can be interpreted and compiled from an orthoimage. Accurately positioned, high

resolution data are considered the most useful to support the compilation of framework

features. 

 

3. DIGITAL ORTHOIMAGERY STRUCTURE

Framework digital orthoimagery shall consist of two-dimensional, rectangular arrays of

pixels, which correspond to ground areas called ground resolution cells. The pixels shall be

arranged in horizontal rows (lines) and vertical columns (samples). The order of the rows

shall be from top to bottom; the order of columns shall be from left to right. The uppermost

left-hand pixel shall be designated pixel (0,0). Each line of image pixels represents a

physical record in the file with the total set of records constituting a single file. Images

describing more than 1 band of electromagnetic radiation (true color, color-infrared, multiband) shall be stored in one of three formats: band-interleaved by line (BIL), band

interleaved by pixel (BIP), or band sequential (BSQ). 

The file shall have equal record lengths, resulting in a rectangular or squared image. This

may be accomplished by padding with over edge image or non-image pixels, with digital

number (DN) equal to zero (black), to an edge defined by the extremes of the image. The

bounding coordinates of the image must be documented in accordance with the FGDC

"Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata.” For images that contain over edge

imagery or are padded with non-image pixels, descriptions of both the specific area of

interest and any over edge imagery must be documented by the metadata standard. For

instance, some digital orthoimagery quadrangles include over edge imagery beyond the
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boundaries of the area of interest. Therefore, the producer is obliged to describe the image

quadrangle in metadata. Both the image area of interest proper, and the over-edge, shall be

documented in the metadata field: (Spatial_Domain/Bounding_Coordinates and

Data_Quality_Information/ Attribute_Accuracy/Completeness_Report).

3.1 Image Radiometry

Relative radiance of ground resolution cells are described by numerical representations (DNs

or brightness values) of reflected radiance amplitudes. The cell value is recorded as a series

of binary digits or bits, with the number of bits per cell determining the radiometric

resolution of the image. Brightness values are commonly represented as 8-bit binary

numbers with a range of values from zero, (black) to 255 (white). 

4. DATA TRANSFER FORMATS

Data transfer formats for digital orthoimagery will not be specified in this standard. 

However, data producers are encouraged to use the Raster Profile (draft) of the Spatial Data

Transfer Standard (SDTS) as the model for formatting their digital orthoimagery. Other

data transfer formats are permitted, however data producers are encouraged to employ the

more widely used and accepted raster image formats, listed in the "Content Standards for

Digital Geospatial Metadata". In all cases, producers shall provide detailed descriptions of

the format. Copies of the "Spatial Data Transfer Standard" (Department of Commerce,

1992) are available from:

National Technical Information Service

U.S. Department of Commerce

Springfield, VA 22161

or are available on the World Wide Web at:

ftp://sdts.er.usgs.gov/pub/sdts/standard/
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4.1 Non-image data

Image files may contain non-image data in the form of header or trailer records which are

physically attached to the image data. These records offer information used to identify,

georeference, and impart other information about the data. They are generally in a different

format than the image data. Producers of imagery shall document pertinent information

about these records: e.g., their location, byte counts, etc., in the metadata. See Section 13.

METADATA.

5. SOURCES 

Source imagery for digital orthoimagery is collected by a variety of remote sensors and

processed in a number of ways. All sources employed in the construction of digital

orthoimagery shall be documented in the metadata field: (Data_Quality

Information/Lineage/Source_Information) 

In general, the data needed to create orthoimagery are:

! an unrectified raster image file, from scanned aerial photographs or other remote

sensing instruments 

! digital elevation data that covers the same area as the image

! ground control

! calibration information about the sensor

These four inputs are used collectively to register the raw image file mathematically to the

scanner or to the sensor platform, to determine the orientation and location of the sensor

platform with respect to the ground, and to remove the relief displacement from the image

file.

Remote sensing systems can be divided into two general categories: imaging and nonimaging. This standard focuses on imaging systems. Commonly used types of imaging

systems include: photo-optical, electro-optical, passive microwave, RADAR, LIDAR,

IFSAR, SONAR.
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5.1 Seasonal and Time-of-Day Considerations

The season of the year and the time of day when images are acquired can be significant

factors to the utility of the imagery. Users engaged in the mapping of terrain features

generally prefer the spring and fall “leaf off” seasons with little or no snow cover, while

users engaged in vegetation analysis prefer imagery gathered during the growing or “leaf on”

season. Similar considerations are true with respect to the time of day imagery is acquired,

as for enhanced shadow requirements. Recognizing the variability of user needs, this

standard will not specify the times or seasons the source imagery shall be acquired. The

date that the imagery was acquired, and the time of day, if it is an important consideration

for acquisition, shall be documented in the metadata field:

(Lineage:Source_Information/Source_Time_Period_of_Content/Calendar_Date)

For example, if the contract specifications for source photography require enhanced shadow

effect, that would be an important consideration outside the usual aerial photography 

specifications. 

5.2 Aerial Photography

Aerial photography is the primary image source currently used to produce digital

orthoimagery. Film types for orthoimagery compliant with the standard shall be confined to

black and white (panchromatic), color infrared (CIR), and natural (true) color. Black and

white orthoimagery may be generated from CIR and natural color source. For aerial photo

identification, the type of film, manufacturer or agency identification, and roll and exposure

number shall be documented in the metadata field:

(Lineage:Source_Information/Source_Citation)

5.2.1 Scanned images from aerial photography

The combination of the Instantaneous Field Of View (IFOV) of the scanner and the scale of

the source imagery shall determine the pixel ground resolution which can be attained for the

digital orthoimagery (Pratt, 1978). Resampling to a pixel ground resolution greater (coarser)

than that of the original scan is acceptable and, in many cases desirable, to create smaller file

sizes. Excessive subsampling to attain a pixel ground resolution value less (finer) than that

of the source imagery is discouraged. (See Section 8. Resolution: Pixel Ground Resolution)
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5.3 Electro-optical Images

Electro-optical imaging instruments are non-film detectors which typically use twodimensional detector arrays of charge-couple devices (CCDs). Each detector in the array is

the equivalent of one pixel in the image. At the present, because of the relatively small size

of the arrays, electro-optical instruments such as digital cameras are more suited for

capturing large scale images with ground sample distances measuring in the sub-meters. 

Appropriate information about the device, type, array size, pixel resolution, and flight

height, will be cited in the image metadata. 

(Data_Quality_ Information /Lineage/Process_Step/Process_Description)

5.4 Elevation Data

Elevation data used to correct displacement shall be sufficiently accurate to ensure the image

meets user defined accuracy requirements for the intended scale. Producers of digital

orthoimagery shall use elevation data with the appropriate ground sample distances and

areal coverage to reliably describe the terrain and meet the accuracy requirements of the

image. A detailed description of the source Elevation Model shall be documented in the

metadata field: (Lineage:Source_Information/Source_Citation) 

For more information on elevation data refer to the FGDC "Content Standards for Digital

Gridded Land Elevation Data". 

5.5 Control 

Ground control from surveyed ground targets and control points established in

aerotriangulation (AT) shall be sufficient to meet the accuracy requirements of the intended

resolution of the digital orthoimage. Control acquired from maps or other similarly

inaccurate methods is not recommended for large-scale digital orthoimagery. A description

of the methods used to establish control shall be documented in the metadata field: 

(Data_Quality_Information/Positional_Accuracy/Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy/Horizontal

_Positional_Accuracy_Report)
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5.6 Calibration Data

While camera or imaging instrument calibration parameters are required for production

purposes, specifications for that data will not be covered by this standard. Information on

camera calibration can be found in the USGS publication "USGS Aerial Camera

Specifications" (10/93). 

6. AREAL EXTENT

This standard places no constraints on the geographic extent of orthoimagery. Areal extent

of quadrilateral orthoimagery may be adjusted as appropriate for the type of sensor and

sensor platform, height, requirements of the user, etc. However, it is recommended that

producers of digital orthoimagery data utilize a widely used or familiar partitioning scheme. 

Numerous established schemes exist for partitioning the Earth’s surface. The USGS 7.5-

minute topographic map series utilizes one such method. Schemes based upon subsets of the

7.5-minute topographic map could be used for large-scale image partitioning schemes. 

Other examples include tiles based on the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) or other

cadastral systems based on county boundaries, tax plats, etc. 

The spatial domain of an image shall be documented in the metadata field:

(Identification_Information/Spatial_Domain). 

7. GEOREFERENCING

A common method for referencing coordinate positions on the Earth is essential for

integrating framework data. While it is desirable that framework data be described by

longitude and latitude coordinates, orthoimagery is more appropriately represented in a

grid coordinate system, such as Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) or State Plane

Coordinate Systems (SPCS). In any case, the horizontal coordinate system of the image

shall be documented in the metadata field:

 (Spatial_Reference_ Information/Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition). 

This standard recommends that the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) be used as the

horizontal datum for digital orthoimagery. In recognition of significant application of other

widely accepted datums throughout the digital geospatial community, other datums may be
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referenced. In each instance the horizontal datum shall be documented in the metadata field:

(Spatial_Reference_Information/Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition

/Geodetic_Model)

Georegistration of the image is also essential to complete georeferencing of the image.

Georegistration will be described by a 4-tuple in the metadata which will establish the 

position of the first pixel in the first row of the image [pixel (0,0)]. The metadata will reflect

the row # = 0, column # = 0, and georeference values in X and Y for the documented datum

and horizontal coordinate system. Under this standard, georegistration (spatial coordinates)

refers to the center of the pixel. This establishes the georegistration at one point in the

orthoimage. Since row and column offsets are both constant and known, (XY_pixel

resolution), all other points can be georegistered. Additional 4-tuples may be provided for

additional georegistration. Georegistration of pixel (0,0) shall be documented in the

metadata field:

(Spatial_Reference_Information/Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition/Planar_Coordin

ate_Information/Local_Planar_Georeference_Information)
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8. RESOLUTION

Two separate resolution measurements are important for image data: pixel ground

resolution, which is sometimes referred to as horizontal ground resolution or ground sample

distance, and radiometric resolution. For this standard, pixel ground resolution defines the

area of the ground represented in each pixel in x and y components, while radiometric

resolution defines the sensitivity of a detector to differences in wavelength as it records

radiant flux reflected or emitted from the ground.

8.1 Pixel Ground Resolution

Images may be resampled to create coarser resolution images than the original raster data. 

Subsampling of images may be applied only within the limits defined by the Nyquist theorem

(Pratt, 1978). The Nyquist frequency limits subsampling to a maximum two times (2X) to

avoid undesirable aliasing.

The pixel ground resolution shall be documented in the metadata field:

(Spatial_Reference_Information/Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition/Planar/Planar_C

oordinate_Information).

8.2 Radiometric Resolution

This standard recommends that black and white image data be represented as 8-bit binary

data, and color images be represented as 24-bit, 3 byte data. For 8-bit and 24-bit image

data, digital numbers, or image brightness values shall be represented by 256 gray levels and

represented by a number in a range of zero-255. A value of zero shall represent the color

black and a value of 255, the color white. All intermediate values are shades of gray

varying uniformly from black to white. Areas where the image is incomplete shall be

represented with a numeric value of zero. Radiometric resolution shall be documented in

the metadata field:

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method/

Raster_Object_Information)
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9. ACCURACY

Framework digital orthoimagery accuracy shall employ the National Standard for Spatial

Data Accuracy (NSSDA), which implements a statistical and testing methodology for

estimating the positional accuracy of points in digital geospatial data, with respect to

georeferenced ground positions of higher accuracy. This reporting methodology provides a

common language for reporting positional accuracy so that users can evaluate data sets for

fitness of use for their applications. The NSSDA uses root-mean-square error (RMSE) to

estimate positional accuracy. Accuracy is reported in ground distances at the 95%

confidence level. Accuracy reported at the 95% confidence level means that 95% of the

positions in the data set will have an error with respect to true ground position that is equal

to or smaller than the reported accuracy value. The reported accuracy value reflects all

uncertainties, including those introduced by geodetic control coordinates, compilation, and

final computation of ground coordinate values in the product.

The NSSDA does not define threshold accuracy values. Users are encouraged to establish

thresholds for their product specifications and applications and for contracting purposes. 

Data producers may elect to use accuracy thresholds in standards such as the National Map

Accuracy Standards of 1947 (U.S. Bureau of the Budget, 1947) or Accuracy Standards for

Large-Scale Maps [American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS)

Specifications and Standards Committee, 1990] if they decide that these values are

applicable to their digital geospatial data accuracy requirements. However, accuracy of new

or revised data products will be reported according to the NSSDA. Data producers shall

ensure that all critical components have known accuracies suitable for the construction of

orthoimagery, and that those accuracies are reported in the metadata.

Producers of digital orthoimagery must report the horizontal positional accuracy of data. 

The horizontal positional accuracy report shall be documented in the metadata field: (Data_

Quality_Information/Positional_Accuracy/Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy). The FGDC

"Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata" establishes a mandatory if applicable

requirement for horizontal positional accuracy data. This should not be misconstrued as an

optional data element. By definition, orthoimagery exhibits geometric qualities which

distinguish it from unrectified imagery, hence accurate measurements can be made from
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digital orthoimagery and features on orthoimagery will be correctly geopositioned. The

accuracy characteristics of digital orthoimagery are tested during production or postproduction and recorded in a report on the positional quality and the assessment process. 

Recommendations on information to be reported and tests to be performed are found in

Chapter 3 of Part 1, Spatial Data Quality, of the Department of Commerce, 1992, "Spatial

Data Transfer Standard " (Federal Information Processing Standard 173): Washington,

Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology.) 

10. DATA QUALITY 

Different orthoimagery production systems have unique characteristics, however all accept

raw (or unprocessed) imagery which contain some degree of error in geometry (geometric

distortion) and in the measured brightness values of the pixels (radiometric distortion). 

Image rectification and restoration are processes for correcting distortions and degradations

which result from image acquisition. This standard requires specification of rectification or

restoration procedures only in context of geometric and radiometric corrections. 

Detailed descriptions of the processes used to correct distortions in an image shall be

documented in the metadata field: (Data_Quality_ Information

/Lineage/Process_Step/Process_Description).

10.1 Geometric Correction

All systematic and random errors shall be removed to the extent required to meet map

accuracy requirements as defined by the intended user. Geometric corrections are performed

to match raw image data to map geometry. Distortions can be classified as either systematic

(predictable errors that follow some definite mathematical or physical law or pattern

associated with particular processes and instruments) or random (errors that are wholly due

to chance and do not recur). Most of the distortions associated with orthoimagery are

random. Terrain relief, platform position, and faulty elevation data are the sources of

nonsystematic distortion, or random errors. These random errors can be detected by

comparing identifiable points on an image to their known ground coordinates.

Nearest neighbor, bilinear interpolation, and cubic convolution resampling algorithms are
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common methods used to transform image values to fit map geolocation values. Nearest

neighbor resampling is not recommended for the large-scale framework because of the

disjointed appearance in the output due to spatial offsets as great as one-half pixel. Images

transformed using bilinear interpolation are generally acceptable. A precise resampling

method such as cubic convolution is recommended. Most importantly, the resampling

process utilized in the production of the image must be documented in the metadata

(Data_Quality_Information /Lineage/Process_Step/Process_Description). 

10.1.1 Image smear

Occasionally, because of spikes in the elevation data or excessive topographic relief, an

anomaly or artifact best described as an "image smear" may appear on a rectified image. 

Basically, the steepness of the terrain is such that some ground image is effectively hidden

from view (e.g. on the backside of the mountain or the sides of a steep cliff). This can be

especially prominent near the edge of images from large-scale aerial photography (incidence

of the anomaly decreases as the altitude of the sensor platform increases). When that portion

of the scanned raster image is adjusted to its conjugate area on the elevation model, the void

in the image is assigned brightness values via an interpolation algorithm which uses the

visible image surrounding the void. This sometimes results in a "smeared" or "stretched"

area on the image. 

When image smears occur, all reasonable means to correct them shall be applied. The

elimination of elevation spike error can easily correct this defect. The potential value to be

added to the image when attempting to correct stretched or smeared artifacts caused by

extensive relief should be weighed against the amount of smearing, the time and effort

investment to correct the artifact and affected features, and the intended use of the image. It

may not be cost-effective or necessary to correct all image smear artifacts. Determining an

acceptable amount smearing in a image is subjective, depending on user requirements. 

Until reliable methods to assess the location and amount of smearing are established,

determination of the acceptability of an image will be by visual inspection. Images may be

determined to be unacceptable when artifacts appear in areas where critical features are

evident, or if artifacts are of such an extent to render the image unusable.
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10.1.2 Other elevation-related geometric distortions.

Double or missing features in the image may be indications of a poor Elevation Model or

unsuitable control. Such distortions may render the image unusable.

10.2 Radiometric Correction

Image brightness values may deviate from the brightness values of the original imagery, due

to image value interpolation during the scanning, rectification, and post-processing

procedures. However, data producers are cautioned to minimize the amount of radiometric

correction applied to an image. It is common practice to perform some radiometric

enhancements and corrections (e.g., contrast stretching, analog dodging, noise filtering,

destriping, edge matching) to images prior to release of the data. Data producers shall use

processing techniques which minimize data loss from the time the information was captured

until its release to the users. Any image restoration or enhancement processes applied to an

image shall be documented in the metadata field:

(Data_Quality_Information/Lineage/Process_Step/Process_Description).

Radiometric accuracy can be verified by visual comparison of the digital orthoimage with the

original unrectified image to determine if the digital orthoimagery has the same or better

image quality as the original unrectified input image(s). Radiometric accuracy verification

process and results shall be documented in the metadata field:

(Data_Quality_Information:Attribute_Accuracy/Attribute_Accuracy_Report).
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11. DATA COMPLETENESS

Visual verification shall be performed for image completeness, to ensure that, whenever

possible, no gaps exist in the image area. Areas of omission, in incomplete images, shall be

documented in the metadata field: (Data_Quality_Information/Completeness_Report). 

11.1 Cloud Cover

Any cloud cover or cloud shadows which obscure image features may render the image

unusable. However, for some areas of an image (e.g. over broad bodies of water) cloud cover

obstruction may be deemed acceptable to some users. Therefore, some users may find

images containing varying percentages of cloud cover or cloud shadow to be acceptable. The

percentage of cloud cover obstruction shall be recorded in the in the metadata field:

(Data_Quality_Information/Cloud_Cover). 

12. IMAGE MOSAICKING

Single orthoimages are commonly created through the mosaicking of multiple images. 

Temporal and seasonal differences between source images should be minimized to avoid

incongruence across join lines. When a mosaic of two or more digital orthoimage chips is

made, the chip judged by visual inspection to have the best contrast shall be used as the

reference image. The brightness values of the other chips shall be adjusted to match that of

the reference chip. The join lines between the overlapping chips shall be chosen so as to

minimize tonal variations. Localized adjustment of the brightness values shall be performed

to minimize tonal differences between join areas. Identification of the multiple sources as

well as the extent of each chip of a mosaicked image shall be documented in the metadata

field:

(Data_Quality_Information/Lineage/Source_ Information/Source_Citation).
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-008-1999

Content Standards for Digital Orthoimagery, February 1999

16

13. METADATA

The FGDC emphasizes the importance of good metadata, in order to provide quality

information about data which will allow users to match data to their needs. This standard

describes a general set of specifications, and as such, places most of the burden on the user to

assess quality and applicability of data. Appropriate metadata facilitates this process. 

Certainly, for the user, data with documentation is more useful than data that has none. The

more high quality metadata there is for a product, the more it can support the user’s

determination of its reliability, quality, and accuracy. Metadata is intended to be of value to

the producer as well as to the user. 

The FGDC’s "Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata" will be the source for all

issues relating to terminology and definitions relating to metadata. Executive Order 12906

"Coordinating Geographic Data Acquisition and Access: The National Spatial Data

Infrastructure," requires all Federal agencies to use the standard to document data that they

produce beginning in 1995. For more information about the FGDC and the Content

Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata, contact:

Federal Geographic Data Committee Secretariat

c/o U.S. Geological Survey

590 National Center

Reston, Virginia 20192

Telephone: (703) 648-5514

Facsimile (703) 648-5775

Internet(electronic mail): fgdc@www.fgdc.gov

Anonymous FTP: ftp://www.fgdc.gov

World Wide Web (WWW): http://www.fgdc.gov/fgdc.html

 

Appendix A contains an example of a metadata file for a specific orthoimage. The example

cited is compliant with the FGDC Content Standard for Geospatial Metadata.
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-008-1999

Content Standards for Digital Orthoimagery, February 1999

17

References:

Clinton, William J., 1994. Executive Order 12906, Coordinating Geographic Data Acquisition and Access:

The National Spatial Data Infrastructure. Washington, D.C., Federal Register, Volume 59, Number 71, 

pp. 17671-17674.

Department of Commerce, 1992, Spatial Data Transfer Standard. (SDTS) (Federal Information Processing

Standard 173). Washington, Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Federal Geographic Data Committee. 1998. Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata, FGDC-STD001-1998. Federal Geographic Data Committee, Washington, D.C..

Federal Geographic Data Committee. 1996. FGDC Standards Reference Model. Federal Geographic Data

Committee, Reston, VA.

Federal Geographic Data Committee, 1998. Draft Content Standards for Digital Gridded Land Elevation

Data. Federal Geographic Data Committee, Washington, D.C..

Federal Geographic Data Committee. 1995. Development of a National Digital Geospatial Data Framework.

Federal Geographic Data Committee, Washington, D.C..

Federal Geographic Data Committee, 1998, Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standards Part 3: National

Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy. FGDC-STD-007.3-1998. Federal Geographic Data Committee,

Washington, D.C.

Pratt, W.K., Copyright ©1978, Digital Image Processing. John Wiley & Sons Inc.

United States Bureau of the Budget, 1947, United States National Map Accuracy Standards, U.S. Bureau of

the Budget, Washington, D.C.

United States Geological Survey, 1998, Aerial Camera Specifications. United States Geological Survey,

Reston, VA.
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-008-1999

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18

Appendix A

 Example of an FGDC Compliant Metadata File

(informative)

 
Federal Geographic Data Committee FGDC-STD-008-1999

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Appendix A (informative): Example of an FGDC Compliant Metadata File

19

This appendix illustrates FGDC compliant metadata reporting, using a USGS 3.75-minute digital

orthophoto (Washington West SE) as an EXAMPLE. The following text illustrates a file specific level

implementation of the "Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata". Numbers preceding element

names indicate the location of the element definition in the metadata standard, and are for reference

only. Reference line numbers should not be included in metadata produced for actual products. 

Element names are in bold type. 

1. Identification_Information:

1.1 Citation:

8.1 Originator: WMC U.S. Geological Survey

8.2 Publication_Date: 19930608

8.4 Title: Washington West SE

8.6 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: remote-sensing image

8.8 Publication_Information:

8.8.1 Publication_Place: Reston, VA

8.8.2 Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

1.2 Description:

1.2.1 Abstract:

A digital orthophoto is a raster image of remotely sensed data in which displacement in the

image due to sensor orientation and terrain relief have been removed. Orthophotos combine the

image characteristics of a photograph with the geometric qualities of a map. The primary digital

orthophoto quad (DOQ) is a 1-meter ground resolution, quarter-quadrangle (3.75-minutes of

latitude by 3.75-minutes of longitude) image cast on the Universal Transverse Mercator

Projection (UTM) on the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). The geographic extent of

the DOQ is equivalent to a quarter-quad plus overedge. The overedge ranges a minimum of 50

meters to a maximum of 300 meters beyond the extremes of the primary and secondary corner

points. The overedge is included to facilitate tonal matching for mosaicking and for the

placement of the NAD83 and secondary datum corner ticks. The normal orientation of data is by

lines (rows) and samples (columns). Each line contains a series of pixels ordered from west to

east with the order of the lines from north to south. The standard, archived digital orthophoto is

formatted as four ASCII header records, followed by a series of 8-bit binary image data records.

The radiometric image brightness values are stored as 256 gray levels ranging from 0 to 255. The
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Appendix A (informative): Example of an FGDC Compliant Metadata File

20

metadata provided in the digital orthophoto contain a wide range of descriptive information

including format source information, production instrumentation and dates, and data to assist

with displaying and georeferencing the image. The standard distribution format of DOQs will be

JPEG compressed images on CD-ROM by counties or special regions. The reconstituted image

from the CD-ROM will exhibit some radiometric differences when compared to its uncompressed

original but will retain the geometry of the uncompressed DOQ. Uncompressed DOQs are

distributed on tape.

1.2.2 Purpose:

DOQ's serve a variety of purposes, from interim maps to field references for earth science

investigations and analysis. The DOQ is useful as a layer of a geographic information system and

as a tool for revision of digital line graphs and topographic maps.

1.3 Time_Period_of_Content:

9.1 Single Time/Date:

9.1.1 Calendar Date: 19930514 

1.3.1 Currentness_Reference: ground condition

1.4 Status:

1.4.1 Progress: Complete

1.4.2 Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Irregular

1.5 Spatial_Domain:

1.5.1 Bounding_Coordinates:

1.5.1.1 West_Bounding_Coordinate: -077.0625

1.5.1.2 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -077.00

1.5.1.3 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.9375

1.5.1.4 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.875

1.6 Keywords:

1.6.1 Theme:

1.6.1.1 Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: DOQ

1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: DOQQ

1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: digital orthophoto

1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: digital orthophoto quad
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1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: digital image map

1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: aerial photograph

1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: rectified photograph

1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: rectified image

1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: orthophoto

1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: quarter-quadrangle orthophoto

1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: 1-meter orthophoto

1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: 2-meter orthophoto

1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: 3.75- x 3.75-minute orthophoto

1.6.1.2 Theme_Keyword: 7.5- x 7.5-minute orthophoto

1.6.2 Place:

1.6.2.1 Place_Keyword_Thesaurus:

U.S. Department of Commerce, 1977, Countries, dependencies, areas of special sovereignty,

and their principal administrative divisions (Federal Information Processing Standard

10-3):Washington, D.C., National Institute of Standards and Technology.

1.6.2.2 Place_Keyword: US

1.6.2.1 Place_Keyword_Thesaurus:

U.S. Department of Commerce, 1987, Codes for the identification of the States, the District

of Columbia and the outlying areas of The United States, and associated areas (Federal

Information Processing Standard 5-2): Washington, D. C., National Institute of Standards

and Technology.

1.6.2.2 Place_Keyword: DC

1.6.2.2 Place_Keyword: VA

1.6.2.1 Place_Keyword_Thesaurus:

U.S. Department of Commerce, 1990, Counties and equivalent entities of The United States,

its possessions, and associated areas (Federal Information Processing Standard 6-4): 

Washington, D.C. National Institute of Standards and Technology.

1.6.2.2 Place_Keyword: 001

1.6.2.2 Place_Keyword: 013

1.7 Access_Constraints: None

1.8 Use_Constraints: None. Acknowledgment of the U.S. Geological Survey would be appreciated in
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products derived from these data.

1.13 Native_Data_Set_Environment: DV1.2 03/94 OV1.1 04/93 bytes=47702272

2. Data_Quality_Information

2.1 Attribute_Accuracy:

2.1.1 Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

During photographic reproduction of the source photography, limited analog dodging is

performed to improve image quality. Analog dodging consists of holding back light from certain

areas of the sensitized photographic material to avoid overexposure. The diapositive is inspected

to insure clarity and radiometric uniformity. Diapositive image brightness values are collected

with a minimum of image quality manipulation. Image brightness values may deviate from

brightness values of the original imagery due to image value interpolation during the scanning

and rectification processes. Radiometry is verified by visual inspection of the digital orthophoto

quadrangle with the original unrectified image to determine if the digital orthophoto has the

same or better image quality as the original unrectified input image. Slight systematic

radiometric differences can be detected between adjacent DOQ files due primarily to differences

in source photography capture dates and sun angles of aerial photography along flight lines.

These differences can be observed in an image's general lightness or darkness when compared to

adjacent DOQ file coverages.

2.2 Logical_Consistency_Report:

All DOQ header data and image file sizes are validated by the Tape Validation System (TVS)

software prior to archiving in the National Digital Cartographic Data Base (NDCDB). This validation

procedure assures correct physical format and field values for header record elements. Logical

relationships between header record elements are tested.

2.3 Completeness_Report:

All DOQ imagery is visually inspected for completeness to ensure that no gaps, or image

misplacement exists in the 3.75' image area or in overedge coverage. DOQ images may be derived by

mosaicking multiple images, in order to insure complete coverage. All DOQ's are cloud free within

the 3.75' image area. Some clouds may, very infrequently, be encountered only in the overedge

coverage. Source photography is leaf-off in deciduous vegetation regions. Void areas having a

radiometric value of zero and appearing black may exist. These are areas for which no photographic

source is available or result from image transformation from other planimetric systems to the
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Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM). In the latter case, the void sliver areas are on the outside 

edges of the overedge area. The data set field content of each DOQ header record element is

validated to assure completeness prior to archiving in the NDCDB.

The area of coverage for a standard USGS digital orthophoto is either a quarter-quadrangle (3.75-

minutes of latitude by 3.75-minutes of longitude plus overedge) or quadrangle (7.5-minutes of latitude

by 7.5-minutes of longitude plus overedge).

USGS requires image overedge to provide overlap coverage between adjoining DOQ's to facilitate

edge matching and mosaicking. That overedge extent is 300 (±30) meters beyond the extremes of the

primary and secondary datum corner points for the standard digital orthophoto quad. However, some

Federal, State and local agencies, and private entities not associated with the National Digital

Orthophoto Program (NDOP) may provide DOQs to the USGS under cooperative agreement

programs. 

In order to meet the requirements of the NDOP program and include other sources of DOQs, the

geographic extent for DOQs shall be:

o For DOQs produced under National Digital Orthophoto Program funding agreements: 300

(±30) meters minimum beyond the extremes of the primary and secondary datum corner

points. 

o For DOQs produced under other cooperative agreements: a minimum of 50 meters beyond

the primary and secondary horizontal datum corner point extremes.

The resulting digital orthophoto is a rectangle whose size may vary in relation to adjoining digital

orthophotos. 

2.4 Positional_Accuracy:

2.4.1 Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

2.4.1.1 Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

The DOQ horizontal positional accuracy and the assurance of that accuracy depend, in part,

on the accuracy of the data inputs to the rectification process. These inputs consist of the

digital elevation model (DEM),aerotriangulation control and methods, the photo source

camera calibration, scanner calibration, and aerial photographs that meet National Aerial

Photography Program (NAPP) standards. The vertical accuracy of the verified USGS format
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Elevation Model is equivalent to or better than a USGS level 1 or 2 DEM, with a root mean

square error (RMSE) of no greater than 7.0 meters. Field control is acquired by third order

class 1 or better survey methods sufficiently spaced to meet National Map Accuracy

Standards (NMAS) for 1:12,000-scale products. Aerial cameras have current certification

from the USGS, National Mapping Division, Optical Science Laboratory. Test calibration

scans are performed on all source photography scanners. Horizontal positional accuracy is

determined by the Orthophoto Accuracy (ORACC) software program for DOQ data produced

by the National Mapping Division. The program determines the accuracy by finding the line

and sample coordinates of the passpoints in the DOQ and fitting these to their ground

coordinates to develop a root mean square error (RMSE). Four to nine points are checked.

As a further accuracy test, the image line and sample coordinates of the DEM corners are

transformed and compared with the actual X,Y DEM corner values to determine if they are

within the RMSE. Additional information on this testing procedure can be found in U.S.

Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, 1993, Technical Instructions, ORACC

Users Manual (draft): Reston, VA. Adjacent DOQ's, when displayed together in a common

planimetric coordinate system, may exhibit slight positional discrepancies across common

DOQ boundaries. Linear features, such as streets, may not be continuous. These edge

mismatches, however, still conform to positional horizontal accuracy within the NMAS. 

Field investigations to validate DOQ positional accuracy reliability are periodically

conducted by the USGS, National Mapping Division, Geometronics Standards Section. 

DOQ's produced by cooperators and contractors use similarly approved RMSE test

procedures.

2.4.1.2 Quantitative_Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Assessment:

2.4.1.2.1 Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Value: 0.8 

2.4.1.2.2 Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Explanation:

U.S.Bureau of the Budget, 1947, United States National Map Accuracy Standard.

2.5 Lineage:

2.5.1 Source_Information:

2.5.1.1 Source_Citation:

8.1 Originator: U.S. Geological Survey

8.2 Publication_Date: unknown

8.4 Title: digital elevation model
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8.8 Publication_Information:

8.8.1 Publication_Place: Reston, VA

8.8.2 Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

2.5.1.3 Type_of_Source_Media: cartridge tape

2.5.1.4 Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

9.1 Single_Date/Time:

9.1.1 Calendar_Date: 1968 

2.5.1.4.1 Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition

2.5.1.5 Source_Citation_Abbreviation: DEM1

2.5.1.6 Source_Contribution:

Elevation data in the form of an ortho-DEM regridded to user-specified intervals and

bounds.

2.5.1 Source_Information:

2.5.1.1 Source_Citation:

8.1 Originator: U.S. Geological Survey

8.2 Publication_Date: Unknown

8.4 Title: NAPP 4-179 

8.6 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: remote-sensing image

8.8 Publication_Information:

8.8.1 Publication_Place: Reston, VA

8.8.2 Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

2.5.1.2 Source_Scale_Denominator: 40000

2.5.1.3 Type_of_Source_Media: cartridge tape

2.5.1.4 Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

9.1 Single_Date/Time:

9.1.1 Calendar_Date: 19880405 

2.5.1.4.1 Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition

2.5.1.5 Source_Citation_Abbreviation: PHOTO1

2.5.1.6 Source_Contribution: Panchromatic Black and White NAPP 

2.5.1 Source_Information:

2.5.1.1 Source_Citation:
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8.1 Originator: U.S. Geological Survey

8.2 Publication_Date: Unpublished material

8.4 Title: project ground and photo control

8.8 Publication_Information:

8.8.1 Publication_Place: Reston, VA

8.8.2 Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

2.5.1.3 Type_of_Source_Media: various media

2.5.1.4 Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

9.3 Range_of_Dates/Times:

9.3.1 Beginning_Date: various

9.3.2 Ending_Date: various

2.5.1.4.1 Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition

2.5.1.5 Source_Citation_Abbreviation: CONTROL_INPUT

2.5.1.6 Source_Contribution:

Horizontal and vertical control used to establish positions and elevations for reference and

correlation purposes.

2.5.1 Source_Information:

2.5.1.1 Source_Citation:

8.1 Originator: U.S. Geological Survey

8.2 Publication_Date: Unpublished material

8.4 Title: report of calibration

8.8 Publication_Information:

8.8.1 Publication_Place: Reston, VA

8.8.2 Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

2.5.1.3 Type_of_Source_Media: disc, paper

2.5.1.4 Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

9.3 Range_of_Dates/Times:

9.3.1 Beginning_Date: various

9.3.2 Ending_Date: various

2.5.1.4.1 Source_Currentness_Reference:

Date of the camera calibration associated with the source photography
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2.5.1.5 Source_Citation_Abbreviation: CAMERA_INPUT

2.5.1.6 Source_Contribution: camera calibration parameters

2.5.2 Process_Step:

2.5.2.1 Process_Description:

The production procedures, instrumentation, hardware and software used in the collection of

standard USGS DOQ's vary depending on systems used at the contract, cooperator or USGS

production sites. The majority of DOQ data sets are acquired through government contract.

The process step describes, in general, the process used in the production of standard USGS

DOQ data sets.

The rectification process requires a user parameter file as input to control the rectification

process, a digital elevation model (DEM1) gridded to user specified bounds, projection, zone,

datum and X-Y units, a scanned digital image file (PHOTO1) covering the same area as the

DEM, ground X-Y-Z point values (CONTROL_INPUT) and their conjugate photo

coordinates in the camera coordinate system, and measurements of the fiducial marks

(CAMERA_INPUT) in the digitized image. 

The camera calibration report (CAMERA_INPUT) provides the focal length of the camera

and the distances in millimeters from the camera's optical center to the camera's 8 fiducial

marks. These marks define the frame of reference for spatial measurements made from the

photograph. Ground control points (CONTROL_INPUT) acquired from ground surveys or

other sources are third order class 1 or better and meet National Map Accuracy Standards

(NMAS) for 1:12,000-scale. Ground control points are in the Universal Transverse

Mercator or the State Plane Coordinate System on NAD83. Horizontal and vertical residuals

of aerotriangulated tie-points are equal to or less than 2.5 meters. Standard

aerotriangulation passpoint configuration consists of 9 ground control points, one near each

corner, one at the center near each side and 1 near the center of the photograph, are used.

The conjugate positions of the ground control points on the photograph are measured and

recorded in camera coordinates.

The raster image file (PHOTO_1) is created by scanning an aerial photograph film

diapositive with a precision image scanner. An aperture of approximately 25 to 32 microns

is used, with an aperture no greater than 32 microns permitted. Using 1:40,000-scale

photographs, a 25-micron scan aperture equates to a ground resolution of 1-meter. The

scanner converts the photographic image densities to gray scale values ranging from 0 to 255
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28

for black and white photographs. Scan files with ground resolution less than 1 meter or

greater than 1 meter but less than 1.28 meters are resampled to 1 meter.

The principal elevation data source (DEM1) are standard DEM data sets from the National

Digital Cartographic Data Base (NDCDB). DEM's that meet USGS standards are also

produced by contractors to fulfill DOQ production requirements and are subsequently

archived in the NDCDB. All DEM data is equivalent to or better than USGS DEM standard

level 1. The DEM used in the production of DOQ's generally has a 30-meter grid post

spacing and possesses a vertical RMSE of 7-meters or less. A DEM covering the extent of

the photograph is used for the rectification. The DEM is traversed from user-selected

minimum to maximum X-Y values and the DEM X-Y-Z values are used to find pixel

coordinates in the digitized photograph using transformations mentioned above. For each

raster image cell subdivision, a brightness or gray-scale value is obtained using nearest

neighbor, bilinear, or cubic convolution resampling of the scanned image. The pixel

processing algorithm is indicated in the header file. An inverse transformation relates the

image coordinates referenced to the fiducial coordinate space back to scanner coordinate

space. For those areas for which a 7.5-minute DEM is unavailable and relief differences are

less than 150 feet, a planar-DEM (slope-plane substitute grid) may be used.

Rectification Process: The photo control points and focal length are iteratively fitted to their

conjugate ground control points using a single photo space resection equation. From this

mathematical fit a rotation matrix of constants about the three axes of the camera is

obtained. This rotation matrix can then be used to find the photograph or camera coordinates

of any other ground X-Y-Z point. Next a two dimensional fit is made between the measured

fiducial marks on the digitized photograph and their conjugate camera coordinates. 

Transformation constants are developed from the fit and the camera or photo coordinates are

used in reverse to find their conjugate pixel coordinates on the digitized photograph.

Quality Control: All data is inspected according to a quality control plan. DOQ contractors

must meet DOQ standards for attribute accuracy, logical consistency, data completeness and

horizontal positional accuracy. During the initial production phase, all rectification inputs

and DOQ data sets are inspected for conformance to standards. After a production source

demonstrates high quality, inspections will be made to 10% of delivery lots 40 DOQs per

lot). All DOQ's are visually inspected for gross positional errors and tested for physical

format standards.
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2.5.2.2 Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: DEM1, PHOTO1, CONTROL_INPUT,

CAMERA_INPUT

2.5.2.3 Process_Date: 19930514

3. Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

3.2 Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: raster

3.4 Raster_Object_Information:

3.4.1 Raster_Object_Type: Pixel

3.4.2 Row_Count: 7680

3.4.3 Column_Count: 6208 

4. Spatial_Reference_Information:

4.1 Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

4.1.2 Planar:

4.1.2.2 Grid_Coordinate_System:

4.1.2.2.1 Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator

4.1.2.2.2 Universal_Transverse_Mercator:

4.1.2.2.2.1 UTM_Zone_Number: 18

4.1.2.1.2 Transverse_Mercator:

4.1.2.1.2.17 Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.9996

4.1.2.1.2.2 Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -75.0

4.1.2.1.2.3 Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.0

4.1.2.1.2.4 False_Easting: 500000.

4.1.2.1.2.5 False_Northing: 0.0

4.1.2.4 Planar_Coordinate_Information:

4.1.2.4.1 Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: row and column

4.1.2.4.2 Coordinate_Representation:

4.1.2.4.2.1 Abscissa_Resolution: 1

4.1.2.4.2.2 Ordinate_Resolution: 1

4.1.2.4.4 Planar_Distance_Units: meters

4.1.4 Geodetic_Model:
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4.1.4.1 Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum 1983

4.1.4.2 Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80

4.1.4.3 Semi-major_Axis: 6378137

4.1.4.4 Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257

5. Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

5.2 Overview_Description:

5.2.1 Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

For DOQ's from panchromatic source, each pixel contains an 8-bit gray-scale value between

0-255. Zero represents black, while 255 represents white. All values between zero and 255

represent a shade of gray varying from black to white. For color-infrared and natural color

DOQs', a digital number from zero to 255 will also be assigned to each pixel but that number will

refer to a color look-up table which will contain the RGB red, blue and green (RGB) values, each

from zero to 255, for that digital number. Areas where the rectification process is incomplete due

to incomplete data (i.e., lack of elevation data, gaps), are represented with the numeric value of

zero.

5.2.2 Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, 1992, Standards for Digital

Orthophotos: Reston, VA.

A hypertext version is available at:

http://www-nmd.usgs.gov/www/ti/DOQ/standards_doq.html

Softcopy in ASCII format is available at:

ftp://www-nmd.usgs.gov/pub/ti/DOQ/doqstnds/stdoqpt1.txt

ftp://www-nmd.usgs.gov/pub/ti/DOQ/doqstnds/stdoqpt2.txt

Softcopy in WordPerfect format is available at:

ftp//www-nmd.usgs.gov/pub/ti/DOQ/doqstnds/stdoqpt1.wp5

ftp://www-nmd.usgs.gov/pub/ti/DOQ/doqstnds/stdoqpt2.wp5

Softcopy in PostScript format is available at:

ftp://www-nmd.usgs.gov/pub/ti/DOQ/doqstnds/stdoqpt1.ps

ftp://www-nmd.usgs.gov/pub/ti/DOQ/doqstnds/stdoqpt2.ps
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6. Distribution_Information:

6.1 Distributor:

10.2 Contact_Organization_Primary:

10.1.2 Contact_Organization: Earth Science Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey

10.4 Contact_Address:

10.4.1 Address_Type: mailing address

10.4.2 Address: 507 National Center

10.4.3 City: Reston

10.4.4 State_or_Province: VA

10.4.5 Postal_Code: 20192

10.5 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 1 800 USA MAPS

10.9 Hours_of_Service: 0800-1600

10.10 Contact_Instructions:

In addition to the address above there are other ESIC offices throughout the country. A full list

of these offices is at:

http://www-nmd.usgs.gov/esic/esic_index.html

6.2 Resource_Description: Digital Orthophoto quad

6.2 Resource_Description: DOQ

6.2 Resource_Description: DOQQ

6.3 Distribution_Liability:

Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological

Survey, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS regarding the utility of the data on

any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. The USGS will

warrant the delivery of this product in computer-readable format and will offer appropriate

adjustment of credit when the product is determined unreadable by correctly adjusted computer input

peripherals, or when the physical medium is delivered in damaged condition. Requests for

adjustments of credit must be made within 90 days from the date of this shipment from the ordering

site.

6.4 Standard_Order_Process:

6.4.2 Digital_Form:

6.4.2.1 Digital_Transfer_Information:
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Appendix A (informative): Example of an FGDC Compliant Metadata File

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6.4.2.1.1 Format_Name: DOQ

6.4.2.1.5 Format_Information_Content:

USGS uncompressed DOQ: The uncompressed USGS DOQ is a raw binary image file

preceded by a metadata header record which consists of four 400-byte ASCII records,

each blank padded to equal the length of a single line of image data.

6.4.2.2 Digital_Transfer_Option:

6.4.2.2.2 Offline_Option:

6.4.2.2.2.1 Offline_Media: 8-mm helical-scan cartridge tape

6.4.2.2.2.3 Recording_Format:

Unlabeled, uncompressed Unix DD archive format. Standard block size: 30,270,

but can be provided at 2,048 or multiples of 2,048.

6.4.2.2.2 Offline_Option:

6.4.2.2.2.1 Offline_Media: 9-track tape

6.4.2.2.2.3 Recording_Format:

Unlabeled, uncompressed Unix DD archive format. Blocksize = 6250.

6.4.2.2.2 Offline_Option:

6.4.2.2.2.1 Offline_Media: 3480 cartridge tape

6.4.2.2.2.3 Recording_Format:

Unlabelled, uncompressed Unix DD archive format. Blocksize = 6250.

6.4.3 Fees:

The online copy of the data set (when available electronically) may be accessed without charge.

For 8-mm cartridge and 9-track tapes the costs are:

1 digital product = $40

2 digital products = $60

3 digital products = $80

4 digital products = $100

5 digital products = $120

6 or more = $90 plus $7 per each product over six

6.4 Standard_Order_Process:

6.4.2 Digital_Form:

6.4.2.1 Digital_Transfer_Information:
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Appendix A (informative): Example of an FGDC Compliant Metadata File

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6.4.2.1.1 Format_Name: JPEG 

6.4.2.1.5 Format_Information_Content:

The USGS compressed DOQ is an IJG JPEG-compressed file. JPEG is a lossy

compression technique. Unlike uncompressed DOQ's the compressed DOQ does not

contain an attached header record as data compression corrupts ASCII text. A separate

metadata file accompanies the compressed image file. The compressed data are

distributed on CD-ROM, generally by county. However, some CD's may contain regions

or partial counties and some counties may require multiple CD-ROM's. The presence of

a DOQ in the NDCDB does not necessarily indicate the file is available on a

compressed, county based CD-ROM.

6.4.2.1.6 File_Decompression_Technique:

The algorithm employed by USGS for compressing DOQs is IJG JPEG, Version 4.0.

This is a lossy compression using a standard Q or quality factor of 30.

6.4.2.1.7 Transfer_Size: 4.5

6.4.2.2 Digital_Transfer_Option:

6.4.2.2.1 Offline_Option:

6.4.2.2.2.1 Offline_Media: CD-ROM

6.4.2.2.2.3 Recording_Format: ISO 9660

6.4.2.2.2.4 Compatibility_Information:

This CD-ROM can be used with all computer operating systems that support

CD-ROM as a logical storage device. All text files on this disc are in ASCII

format. Data files are in ASCII or binary format.

6.4.3 Fees: The charge is $32 per CD-ROM.

7. Metadata_Reference_Information:

7.1 Metadata_Date: 19950627

7.4 Metadata_Contact:

10.2 Contact_Organization_Primary:

10.1.2 Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

10.4 Contact_Address:

10.4.2 Address: 590 National Center
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Appendix A (informative): Example of an FGDC Compliant Metadata File

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10.4.3 City: Reston

10.4.4 State_or_Province: VA

10.4.5 Postal_Code: 20192

10.5 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 703 648 5514

10.7 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 703 648 5755

10.8 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: fgdc@www.fgdc.gov

7.5 Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

7.6 Metadata_Standard_Version: 19940608
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Appendix B (informative): Definitions

35

Appendix B - Definitions

(informative)
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Appendix B (informative): Definitions

36

DEFINITIONS:

Band - a range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation specified to produce a single response

to a sensing device.

Band Interleaved - the ordered mixing of lines (band interleaved by line) or pixels (band

interleaved by pixels) of one or more bands with corresponding lines or pixels of other bands, for

the purpose of forming a single image file. 

Band Sequential (BSQ)- a sequence of one image band followed by another image band. A band

sequential file may be formed by appending bands in sequence within a single file. 

Bilinear interpolation - the mathematical computation for an unknown value based on the linear

interpolation along two axes. The axes are derived using a coordinate transformation algorithm

to locate the quadrilateral of the four nearest profile points surrounding the unknown point. The

interpolation computes the unknown value based on the average, by use of weights and distances,

of the four nearest known values. 

Brightness value (Digital Number) - a number representing a discrete gray level in an image. 

Cubic Convolution - a mathematical computation for the interpolation of an unknown value

based on a third degree polynomial equation using surrounding known values.

Digital Orthoimage - a georeferenced digital image prepared from a perspective photograph, or

other remotely-sensed data, in which displacement of objects in the image, due to sensor

orientation and terrain relief, have been removed.

Framework - collection of basic geospatial data upon which users may collect, register or

integrate geospatial information. Thematic categories comprising the framework include:

geodetic control, digital orthoimagery, elevation, transportation, hydrography, governmental

units, and cadastre (FGDC, 1995) .
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Appendix B (informative): Definitions

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Metadata - Data about data. Textual information describing the content, quality, condition, and

other characteristics of data.

Micron (F) - The unit of length defined to be 0.000001 meter.

Nearest Neighbor - The mathematical computation for an unknown value based solely on the

value of the nearest known value.

Overedge - Refers to data extending beyond the defined primary area of interest. This may be

image data, or fill data required to “square” the image to achieve fixed record lengths.

Panchromatic (photography) - a term applied to photographic materials possessing sensitivity to

all visible spectral colors, including red.

Resample - the use of mathematical values on one cell-based structure based on values originally

given on another structure. Methods include interpolation and extrapolation. See nearest

neighbor, bilinear interpolation, and cubic convolution.

Resection, photogrammetric - determination of the location or height of a camera or of the

photograph taken by that camera with respect to a coordinate system external to the camera.