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3.11. Photogrammetry (FOT)

This knowledge area covers the extraction of geometric measurements from photographic and digital imagery: photogrammetric fundamentals, aerial triangulation and georeferencing, digital photogrammetric products, and UAV and close-range photogrammetry.

Knowledge Area (KA)	Core Tier1	Core Tier2
3.11.1 Photogrammetric Fundamentals	Elective
3.11.2 Aerial Triangulation and Georeferencing	Elective
3.11.3 Digital Photogrammetric Products	Elective
3.11.4 UAV and Close-Range Photogrammetry	Elective

3.11.1. FOT/Photogrammetric Fundamentals ↑ Back to top

Camera geometry and the image-formation model, stereoscopic vision, and the flight and scale planning that precede any photogrammetric acquisition.
Topics:
Core

• Camera geometry: focal length, principal point, and lens distortion
• The central projection image-formation model
• Stereoscopic vision and parallax measurement
• Flight planning: overlap, flying height, and strip layout
• Image scale determination and its relationship to flying height and focal length

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Explain camera geometry and the central projection image-formation model [Familiarity]
2. Measure parallax on a stereo pair to determine relative elevation [Usage]
3. Plan an aerial photography flight with appropriate overlap and flying height [Assessment]
4. Compute image scale from flying height and camera focal length [Usage]
5. Identify lens distortion effects and their correction [Familiarity]

3.11.2. FOT/Aerial Triangulation and Georeferencing ↑ Back to top

Interior and exterior orientation of photogrammetric imagery, ground control point selection, and the bundle-adjustment aerial triangulation process that ties images together geometrically.
Topics:
Core

• Ground control point selection, measurement, and distribution
• Interior orientation and camera calibration parameters
• Exterior orientation and camera position/attitude determination
• Bundle adjustment for simultaneous multi-image orientation
• Aerial triangulation workflow for large image blocks

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Select and distribute ground control points for a photogrammetric project [Usage]
2. Explain interior orientation and the role of camera calibration parameters [Familiarity]
3. Determine exterior orientation parameters for an acquired image [Assessment]
4. Perform a bundle adjustment over a block of overlapping images [Assessment]
5. Execute an aerial triangulation workflow for a large image block [Usage]

3.11.3. FOT/Digital Photogrammetric Products ↑ Back to top

Production of digital elevation/surface models, orthophotos, and dense point clouds (including structure-from-motion workflows) from oriented photogrammetric imagery, and the assessment of their accuracy.
Topics:
Core

• Digital Elevation/Surface Model (DEM/DSM) generation from stereo imagery
• Orthophoto production and mosaicking
• Dense point cloud generation from photogrammetric image matching
• Structure-from-Motion (SfM) workflows for unordered image sets
• Accuracy assessment of digital photogrammetric products against ground truth

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Generate a digital elevation/surface model from stereo imagery [Usage]
2. Produce and mosaic an orthophoto from oriented imagery [Assessment]
3. Generate a dense point cloud from photogrammetric image matching [Usage]
4. Apply a Structure-from-Motion workflow to an unordered image set [Assessment]
5. Evaluate the accuracy of a digital photogrammetric product against ground truth [Assessment]

3.11.4. FOT/UAV and Close-Range Photogrammetry ↑ Back to top

Mission planning, sensors, and processing workflows for drone-based and close-range photogrammetric acquisition, together with the regulatory considerations governing UAV flight.
Topics:
Core

• UAV mission planning: flight paths, overlap, and ground sample distance
• UAV sensors and payloads for photogrammetric acquisition
• Close-range photogrammetry applications (e.g. facade/structure documentation)
• Regulatory considerations for UAV survey operations
• End-to-end UAV photogrammetric processing workflows

Learning Outcomes:
Core:

1. Plan a UAV photogrammetric mission with appropriate overlap and ground sample distance [Usage]
2. Select UAV sensors and payloads appropriate to a photogrammetric task [Familiarity]
3. Apply close-range photogrammetric techniques to document a structure [Assessment]
4. Comply with applicable UAV survey operation regulations [Familiarity]
5. Execute an end-to-end UAV photogrammetric processing workflow [Usage]