Integration of Ikonos and QuickBird Imagery for Geopositioning Accuracy Analysis

Abstract

This research investigated the accuracy in three-dimensional (3D) geopositioning achieved by integrating Ikonos and QuickBird images using the vendor-provided rational polynomial coefficients (RPCs). One pair of stereo Ikonos images and one pair of stereo QuickBird images were collected for the same region of Tampa Bay, Florida, and used in this study. Results of 3D geopositioning from different combinations of Ikonos and QuickBird stereo images were generated by using an improved rational function model (RFM). The relationship between the satellite-borne pointing geometry and the attainable ground accuracy is examined. This research demonstrates that the integration of Ikonos and QuickBird images is feasible and can improve the 3D geopositioning accuracy using a proper combination of images.