Utilization of ground control points for image orientation without point identification in image space

The classical photogrammetric point determination makes use of ground control points (GCP), which includes the point identification in the images and the interactive measurement of image coordinates. The new approach proposed in this paper utilizes 3D GCP, but without any point identification in image space. Besides the control point coordinates additional object point coordinates of conjugate points are required. The conjugate points are acquired in such a way, that at least three object points are arranged in the surroundings of each control point. The approach takes advantage of the knowledge that all these points lie on the terrain surface. Thus, a mathematical condition can be set up which describes that the control point is located in an inclined plane, defined by the three neighboring object points. THe paper describes the mathematical model in detail and demonstrates the efficiency of the new approach using simulated data.