FUGRO EARTHDATA, INC.

GCMRC 2013 ORTHO IMAGERY AND DSM

TASK ORDER NO. G13PD00082

JANUARY 17, 2013

Turning Spatial Data into Knowledge

GCMRC 2013 Ortho Imagery and DSM

Proposal

Submitted to:

Robert Kelly

Commercial Partnerships Team – MS-665

United States Geological Survey

Geospatial Products and Services Contract

National Geospatial Technical Operations Center

 1400 Independence Road

Rolla, MO 65401

Task Order No.: G13PD00082

Submitted by:

Fugro EarthData, Inc.

7320 Executive Way

Frederick, Maryland 21704

TEL + 1 301 948 8550

FAX + 1 301 963 2064
FUGRO EARTHDATA, INC.

GCMRC 2013 ORTHO IMAGERY AND DSM

TASK ORDER NO. G13PD00082

JANUARY 17, 2013

Turning Spatial Data into Knowledge

Table of Contents

1 PROJECT OVERVIEW............................................................................................................................1

2 PROJECT PLAN .....................................................................................................................................1

3 GROUND CONTROL ..............................................................................................................................1

4 AIRBORNE IMAGE ACQUISITION ........................................................................................................1

4.1 ADS80-SH82 Flight Planning ................................................................................................................ 1

4.1.1 Preliminary Acquisition Plan ................................................................................................................ 2

4.1.2 Preliminary Flight Plan .......................................................................................................................... 3

4.2 Digital Camera Specifications .............................................................................................................. 3

4.3 Airborne GPS.......................................................................................................................................... 4

4.4 Calibration of the ADS80-SH82 Camera .............................................................................................. 4

4.5 Conditions during Aerial Image Acquisition....................................................................................... 4

5 AEROTRIANGULATION.........................................................................................................................5

6 ORTHOPHOTO PRODUCTION..............................................................................................................5

6.1 Orthophoto Accuracy Standards, Datum, and Projection................................................................. 5

6.2 Image Rectification, Radiometric Processing, and Conversions ..................................................... 6

7 DIGITAL SURFACE MODEL (DSM) ACCURACY.................................................................................6

8 METADATA AND MEDIA .......................................................................................................................7

9 PROJECT DELIVERABLES ...................................................................................................................7

10 PROJECT SCHEDULE ...........................................................................................................................7

11 ATTACHMENTS......................................................................................................................................7
FUGRO EARTHDATA, INC.

GCMRC 2013 ORTHO IMAGERY AND DSM

TASK ORDER NO. G13PD00082

JANUARY 17, 2013

Turning Spatial Data into Knowledge 1

1 PROJECT OVERVIEW

In response to the Task Order Detail, received December 18, 2012, prepared by the United States Geological 

Survey (USGS), the Fugro team has prepared the following technical proposal and cost estimate for aerial 

acquisition and development to support 15 to 20 cm orthoimagery of the Grand Canyon from the 2 km 

upstream from the Glen Canyon Dam in Lake Powell to Pierce Ferry in Lake Mead. 

2 PROJECT PLAN

For this task order, Fugro proposes to acquire all aerial photography using the Leica ADS80-SH82 digital 

camera, combined with airborne GPS and inertial measurement (IMU) data. This raw data will be processed 

using Fugro’s exclusive Pixel FactoryTM system combined with an autocorrelated digital surface model to 

develop 20 cm ground sample distance (GSD) or better, 4-band digital orthophotography covering the 

Colorado River corridor from the Glen Canyon Dam at Lake Powell down to (but not including) Lake Mead, as 

defined by the USGS in Contract No. G11PC00014, Task Order G13PD00082 for GCMRC 2013 Ortho 

Imagery and DSM.

3 GROUND CONTROL

The ADS80-SH82 digital imaging makes extremely effective use of GPS and IMU technology. The Flight crew 

will coordinate with the GCMRC GPS survey crews to ensure that a minimum of two (2) GPS base stations are 

operating during airborne acquisition within approximately 30 km of the data acquisition and that the GPS 

constellation has an adequate number of satellites above the horizon to ensure sufficient Position Dilution of 

Precision (PDOP). 

In coordination with the Fugro flight crew, all surveying activities will be performed by the GCMRC survey 

team. Fugro and the GCMRC survey team will work together to identify the number and locations of the 

ground control points to be used for quality assurance/quality control validation by the USGS on this project. 

The ground survey will be documented in the project metadata. 

It is understood that the GCMRC surveyor needs to update the xls of control panels to reflect the NA2011 

values. The surveyor will also review the new panel positions that were suggested by Fugro and indicate 

which panels the GCMRC can accommodate.

4 AIRBORNE IMAGE ACQUISITION

The following sections discuss the sensor to be used and the conditions required to complete the aerial image 

acquisition portion of the project to the required specifications and within the required time frame.

4.1 ADS80-SH82 Flight Planning

As defined in the task order, the area to be mapped covers the entire extent of the river corridor, starting 

approximately 2 km upstream from Glen Canyon Dam in Lake Powell and ending at Pierce Ferry in Lake 

Mead, including confluence segments of 7 major tributaries, specifically, the Little Colorado River to Blue 

Springs, the Paria River, Shinumo Creek, Kanab Creek, Bright Angel Creek, Tapeats Creek, and Havasu 

Creek. The data collection is to occur during low steady flow from Glen Canyon Dam, which will occur during 

steady low water conditions between the start of Memorial Day weekend in 2013 and the middle of June 2013.

The preliminary acquisition plan shown in Section 4.1.1 below identifies Fugro’s plan for acquiring this data in 

a five period beginning on the first day of stead low flow per the calculations provided in the “May-June 2013 

FLOW_SCENARIO.xls” document.
FUGRO EARTHDATA, INC.

GCMRC 2013 ORTHO IMAGERY AND DSM

TASK ORDER NO. G13PD00082

JANUARY 17, 2013

Turning Spatial Data into Knowledge 2

4.1.1 Preliminary Acquisition Plan

Overflights will be coordinated with the Grand Canyon National Park Service (NPS) and will conform to park 

regulations (FAA Reg 93 Subpart U.doc and Special FAR 50-2.doc). Fugro and GCMRC will work with the 

Grand Canyon Park and Department of Interior aircraft safety officers to obtain a flight permit based on the 

project flight plan. 

To obtain flight permits, Fugro will provide the pilots’ names and contact information and the type of aircraft 

(and its identification) to be used, as well as a flight plan (map) showing flight path and altitude of each flight 

line. 

Fugro Pilots will take the NPS Flight Safety course prior to their arrival in Arizona, even if they have completed 

the course in prior years. Fugro Flight crews will meet at the Grand Canyon Airport with the Park Service flight 

coordinator the day before commencement of data collection for a final briefing. 

The acquisition flight plan is designed to acquire ADS80-SH82 digital imagery at a 15 to 20 cm GSD, with a 

planned minimum sidelap of 30%. Fugro will develop the required color orthoimagery at a 20 cm GSD or better

except as noted below. 

Note: The values of 8,000' and 11,000' represent ASL (above sea level) altitudes required for flying the 

aircraft. The ADS80 intrinsic GSD will be based on the AMT (above mean terrain) altitude. The greatest AMT 

altitude in project area is 5950', which yields a planned GSD of 20 cm. So, the GSD will be 20 cm or better 

throughout the project. The one exception is in areas where we must fly higher due to restricted airspace; in 

those areas the GSD increases to as much as 27 cm.
FUGRO EARTHDATA, INC.

GCMRC 2013 ORTHO IMAGERY AND DSM

TASK ORDER NO. G13PD00082

JANUARY 17, 2013

Turning Spatial Data into Knowledge 3

The preliminary flight acquisition plan shown in Section 4.1.2 below shows the planned flight altitudes for the 

various flight blocks necessary to complete this project. The altitudes are estimated and will vary based on 

final negotiations and approval by the FAA and the National Park Service.

4.1.2 Preliminary Flight Plan

4.2 Digital Camera Specifications 

Fugro will operate a Leica ADS80 Digital Camera that has been upgraded with Sensor Head 82 (ADS80-

SH82), which is capable of data collection at a wide range of GSD, depending on the altitude and air speed of 

the mission. The typical GSD range for digital orthoimagery or rectified imagery produced from ADS80-SH82 

data is 5 cm – 2 m.

This upgraded version of the ADS80-SH82 camera, shown below, collects a total of 12 bands of imagery 

simultaneously, with 12,000 pixels per band and pixel size of 6.5 microns. Two tetrachroid beam splitters 

(nadir and 16° backward viewing angles) allow acquisition of red, green, blue, and near-infrared bands at the 

same viewing angle for perfect co-registration. For the GCMRC project only the nadir multispectral imagery will 

be used.
FUGRO EARTHDATA, INC.

GCMRC 2013 ORTHO IMAGERY AND DSM

TASK ORDER NO. G13PD00082

JANUARY 17, 2013

Turning Spatial Data into Knowledge 4

The ADS80-SH82 is also equipped with an Applanix POS 

inertial measurement unit mounted on a PAV30 gyrostabilized platform. The digital imagery, GPS, and IMU 

position and orientation data are recorded during each 

sortie and are written to the mass memory system that is 

part of the camera control unit. After completion of the

aerotriangulation (AT), the ADS80 bands can be exported 

as stereo pairs in all commonly read formats to develop 

planimetric, topographic, and other types of 

photogrammetrically-derived data products. The stereo 

models are accompanied by a digital file containing the 

exterior orientation parameters derived from the bundle 

triangulation adjustment and their coverage is controllable 

by the technician; a typical model size is 12,000 by 5,000 

pixels with a minimum of 200 pixel overlap between 

models along track. 

It should be noted that all of the CCD arrays are uniform in 

pixel resolution. All spectral bands are collected at the 

same native pixel resolution; therefore pan-sharpening of 

color and IR bands is not necessary and will not be used 

on the GCMRC project. This provides greater radiometric 

integrity for image classification and thematic mapping 

applications. There are also no dead pixels in any of the 

CCD arrays. Digital imagery from the ADS80-SH82 is processed using our unique Pixel FactoryTM processing 

suite, combined with Fugro’s large parallel processing capacity (96 parallel processors of 3GHz each). 

4.3 Airborne GPS

The ADS80-SH82 camera will be operated on one of Fugro’s twin engine aircraft that are permanently 

equipped with two geodetic grade GPS antennas and receivers to conduct airborne GPS operations. Each 

sensor is also equipped with an inertial measurement unit and is mounted on a gyro-stabilized platform.

Airborne GPS control will be accomplished through the simultaneous observation of five or more satellites in 

the GPS constellation using the on-board receiver and a minimum of two (2) ground receivers (base stations) 

located over known control points and/or continually operating reference stations (CORS) operating at 1HZ

that are in the vicinity of the project area. The satellite constellation and PDOP are checked by the air crew 

and GPS survey crew prior to and during mission planning. These base stations will be located within an 

adequate baseline distance to the project area. GPS base station locations will be tied into the overall project 

control network.

The digital imagery, GPS, and IMU position and orientation data are recorded during each sortie and are 

written to the mass memory system that is part of the camera control unit. After the flight is completed, the 

data logged from the airborne receiver, the base stations, and the time pulses are post-processed and the 

position of the camera is defined to an accuracy of 3 to 10 cm. The simultaneous collection of airborne GPS 

and IMU data with the aerial imagery ensures an exceptional level of accuracy in the final product. 

4.4 Calibration of the ADS80-SH82 Camera

All of Fugro’s ADS80-SH82 sensors are calibrated by the manufacturer, Leica, prior to shipment and a report 

is provided in the form of a calibration certificate for each sensor. The USGS has also type certified the 

ADS80-SH82 digital camera for photogrammetric mapping applications. A copy of the Leica calibration 

certificates will be provided on request.

4.5 Conditions during Aerial Image Acquisition

Airborne image acquisition will be conducted during steady low flow conditions between May 24, 2013 and 

June 15, 2013, and only on days when conditions are considered optimal for collection of imagery to be used 

in an image-based map product. 

ADS80-SH82 Sensor Configuration

+27.4 °

-14.2 °

PAN PAN

RGB NIR PAN

0°

RGB NIR 

-16°

{

{

Backward Nadir Forward

+27.4 °

-14.2 °

PAN PAN

RGB NIR PAN

0°

RGB NIR 

-16°

{

{

Backward Nadir Forward

2nd Tetrachroid 1st Tetrachroid

Flight Direction

+27.4 °

-14.2 °

PAN PAN

RGB NIR PAN

0°

RGB NIR 

-16°

{

{

Backward Nadir Forward

+27.4 °

-14.2 °

PAN PAN

RGB NIR PAN

0°

RGB NIR 

-16°

{

{

Backward Nadir Forward

2nd Tetrachroid 1st Tetrachroid

Flight Direction
FUGRO EARTHDATA, INC.

GCMRC 2013 ORTHO IMAGERY AND DSM

TASK ORDER NO. G13PD00082

JANUARY 17, 2013

Turning Spatial Data into Knowledge 5

 Minimal shadow conditions

 Sun angle is 65° or greater above the horizon

 Acquisition area is free of clouds, smoke, haze

 Cloudy weather may extend the flight window during the project, but will require prior approval by the 

Bureau of Reclamation. 

 The GCMRC flight coordinator (Phil Davis) reserves the right to ground flights on any day based 

having unacceptable weather conditions (e.g., cloud cover or rain). 

 The flight crew will contact the GCMRC flight coordinator at 928-556-7084 each morning for that 

determination. Progress will also be reported to the GCMRC flight coordinator at the end of each day 

of flight, which is necessary for possible rescheduling of dam operations and positioning our GPS base 

stations.

 A daily review of the day’s mission will be conducted in the field for identification of any necessary 

reflights. 

5 AEROTRIANGULATION

Once ADS80-SH82 flights have been collected and accepted, data is transferred to Fugro’s production center 

in Frederick, Maryland, for processing. Following is a step-by-step description of the aerotriangulation (AT) 

process:

Step 1 The unprocessed ADS80-SH82 data and accompanying GPS and inertial measurement unit (IMU) 

data for one or more sorties is downloaded from the portable hard disks and checked to verify that 

no files are corrupted and that all data can be downloaded. Sample segments of the imagery are 

inspected in an uncorrected state to verify the integrity of each data sortie.

Step 2 The GPS/IMU parameters for each sortie are optimized using the ground control points and the 

error calibration map. The horizontal and vertical positions of all ground control points in the block 

are observed in each panchromatic band. AT is performed on the Forward, Back, and Nadir 

panchromatic channels, the results are propagated to all other channels after the bundle 

adjustment is completed.

Step 3 AT is accomplished as a component of Fugro’s exclusive Pixel Factory process. The ground 

control, GPS, and IMU information is ingested and tie points between strips are 

identified. Normally, only ten tie points distributed evenly along track are needed between adjacent 

flight lines.

Step 4 The AT produces a bundle adjustment for each data block (consisting of multiple lifts or sorties, 

averaging 5 to 7). The results of the adjustment are verified through the development of 

panchromatic orthophoto samples for the data sortie. The mosaic is validated using the 

aerotriangulation points only. This orthophoto product is inspected by the photogrammetric 

technician to identify any gross errors in the adjustment, as well as the identification of any voids 

or image quality problems.

6 ORTHOPHOTO PRODUCTION

The following section describes the proposed methodology to generate high resolution orthoimagery for the 

USGS.

6.1 Orthophoto Accuracy Standards, Datum, and Projection

Due to FAA restrictions on flight altitude within two commercial corridors in the collection area, some imagery 

may need to be collected at a lower native ground sample distance, however all of the final rectified imagery 

will have the same resolution. The final, corridor-wide image resolution will be decided after data collection, by 

a discussion between Fugro and the GCMRC flight coordinator (Phil Davis), which will be based on the 
FUGRO EARTHDATA, INC.

GCMRC 2013 ORTHO IMAGERY AND DSM

TASK ORDER NO. G13PD00082

JANUARY 17, 2013

Turning Spatial Data into Knowledge 6

Fugro’s flight block estimates of GSD throughout the Canyon. The commercial-corridor flight restrictions may 

also affect the resultant positional accuracy of the orthorectified flight-line images; positional accuracy may 

deviate from the desired 30-cm RMSE68 positional accuracy. Fugro will state the final positional accuracies 

achieved for the project. 

Completed orthophotography deliverables will reference the North American Datum 1983(NAD83) (NA2011), 

in Arizona State Plane (202 Arizona Central) projection and units in meters. The vertical datum for orthometric 

heights is NAVD 88 using GEIOD 12A. 

6.2 Image Rectification, Radiometric Processing, and Conversions

The following section describes the digital image production for orthophotos using the Pixel FactoryTM and 

Fugro’s proprietary software. This workflow is unique to Fugro and has been developed specifically for pushbroom sensors like the ADS80-SH82.

Step 1 The new digital surface model (DSM) is autocorrelated and reviewed in the Pixel FactoryTM

processing system. The surface is reviewed for thoroughness and project area coverage. After 

noise removal, the DSM will be packaged and delivered in both orthometric and ellipsoidal 

heights. The DSM shall be mosaicked into USGS quarter quadrangle tiles with a 1 meter cell size. 

The DSM surface will also go through ground filtering to generate DEM for ortho rectification of the 

raw ADS80-SH82 imagery.

Step 2 Fugro will provide the GCMRC with pilot orthoimagery for selected portions of the overflights, as 

necessary, for review and approval of tone (color) and contrast of the imagery along with pixel 

resolution. 

Step 3 The digital imagery for each acquisition sortie is differentially rectified to produce orthoimagery at 

the 15 to 20 cm pixel resolution using the cubic convolution algorithm in its processing of only the 

nadir multispectral imagery. As described in section 4.1.1, the intrinsic GSD will be based on the 

AMT altitude. The greatest AMT altitude in project area is 5950', which yields a planned GSD of 20

cm. So, the GSD will be 20 cm or better throughout the project. The one exception is in areas 

where the aircraft must fly higher due to restricted airspace; in those areas the GSD increases to 

as much as 27 cm.

Each individual strip of imagery from each flight line is rectified and radiometrically processed. 

The goal of the radiometric adjustment is to only balance the brightness along the track by 

performing a sun and/or gradient correction. There will be no processing to color balance and 

match between flight lines. 

Step 4 Each flight line is inspected and passed through quality control review for accuracy issues related 

to the aerotriangulation and radiometry. The imagery will also be reviewed for missing data within 

the project area, corrupt data, and band mis-registration. 

Step 5 The final orthoimage tiles are processed to the required projection and datum. These tiles are 

created as individual bands 16 bit flight lines that are processed into segments such that their size 

does not exceed 2 GB. The segment images shall be converted to GeoTIFF and contain a 

precise rotation angle in the georeferencing header.

Step 6 Once all products have been approved for quality and accuracy, digital files are then converted to 

GZIP format for delivery to GCMRC.

7 DIGITAL SURFACE MODEL (DSM) ACCURACY

Basic requirements include a Pixel FactoryTM generated 1-meter cell dimension with a vertical accuracy near 

25 cm RMSE68 (or better) for the project area. This will be a digital surface model (DSM) without any 

adjustment for vegetation canopy. As a result of flying at higher altitudes over some parts of the collection 

corridor because of FAA flight restrictions, we anticipate that the DSM vertical accuracy over the lower 
FUGRO EARTHDATA, INC.

GCMRC 2013 ORTHO IMAGERY AND DSM

TASK ORDER NO. G13PD00082

JANUARY 17, 2013

Turning Spatial Data into Knowledge 7

elevation parts of the commercial corridor within the project area may be greater than the desired 25 cm 

RMSE68 and may be as large as 42 cm in such areas. Fugro will specify the bare-ground vertical accuracy 

(RMSE68) of the DSM achieved. 

8 METADATA AND MEDIA

Project metadata records will be developed for the delivered orthoimagery and DSM in accordance with FGDC 

guidelines. Compliance with FGDC guidelines will be verified using the metadata parser (MP) available on the 

FGDC web portal. Metadata records will be peer reviewed to identify and correct any typographic or other 

errors that would not be flagged by automated tools. An initial metadata template will be provided to the 

GCMRC flight coordinator for review and acceptance prior to the production of the final project metadata. 

The completed digital orthophotography and DSM will be delivered to USGS on portable media such as 

external hard drives.

9 PROJECT DELIVERABLES

The following table lists the project deliverables (Two digital copies of the deliverables will be provided in 

accordance with the “Data Standards and Delivery Requirements_07052012.doc”):

Deliverables

1. Technical Kickoff Meeting within 14 days of Task Order award

2. Aerial acquisition of orthoimagery between May 24 and June 15, 2013

3. Daily Acquisition Reports during orthoimagery acquisition

4. Monthly Progress Reports

5. Aerotriangulation Report in .PDF format (Proprietary information)

6. Data Accuracy Report in .PDF format (Proprietary information)

7. Compressed (using GZIP), orthorectified, geo-referenced, 12-bit images of the 4 

bands collected within each flight line in GeoTIFF 5.0 format

8. Compressed (using GZIP), digital surface model (DSM) as 32-bit image mosaic tiles 

according to GCMRC QQQ_MAP_TILES.zip tiling scheme in GeoTIFF 5.0 format in 

orthometric and ellipsoidal heights

9. Footprint index maps of image acquisitions as Arc/Info region coverages

10. FGDC-compliant metadata developed using the metadata tool in Arc Catalog for 

each file delivered. 

10 PROJECT SCHEDULE

Project Milestone/Deliverable Schedule

Aerial Acquisition May 24 thru June 15, 2013 during steady low flow

Delivery of Final Products Within 150 days of completion of acquisition, 

but no later than November 15, 2013

11 ATTACHMENTS

 Attachment A: Includes project boundary, proposed flight plan, existing and planned control 

layouts, and tile index in ESRI .shp format

 Attachment B: Grand Canyon Orthoimagery Cost Proposal
FUGRO EARTHDATA, INC.

GCMRC 2013 ORTHO IMAGERY AND DSM

TASK ORDER NO. G13PD00082

JANUARY 17, 2013

Turning Spatial Data into Knowledge 8

 Attachment C: Grand Canyon Orthoimagery Deliverable Tracking Log