U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

ASPRS 2006 Annual ConferenceReno, Nevada

Overview of the USGS Plan for Quality Assurance of Digital Aerial Imagery

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OutlineOutline

Background ASPRS Study recommendations Who, what, why, how USGS Plan for Quality Assurance of Digital Aerial

Imagery When Summary

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Why calibration at USGS?

Photogrammetric methods for map generation Map production primarily done in-house Quality assurance measure for aerial photography

from aerial contractors

Leadership role in standards development Unbiased, independent agency with technical

expertise Quality assurance for The National Map

BackgroundBackground

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USGS Camera Calibration HistoryUSGS Camera Calibration History

USGS responsible for calibration services for film camera in United States since 1973

USGS operates Optical Sciences Lab (OSL) in Reston, VA with a custom-built calibration instrument

Current policy requires current (within 3 years) camera calibration report on file before award of contract

The “Catch-22” problem for digital sensors

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Continue to provide analog calibration services Develop and implement digital calibration capabilities Develop standards for camera and sensor calibrations Develop and implement in-situ calibration methods

ASPRS Study RecommendationsASPRS Study Recommendations

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Stage 1: Initiation Stage 2: Contagion Stage 3: Control Stage 4: Integration

Stages of New TechnologyStages of New Technology

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Initiation: Research and pilot projects Contagion: Wild enthusiasm and demand Control: Define standards and format Integration: DOQs critical to enterprise operation

Example: DOQsExample: DOQs

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The unknown: Does it perform as claimed? Lack of standards: What are the specifications? Lack of experience: What I can or can not do? Business decision: Does it make business sense? Operational changes: What are the best practices? Integration: How to integrate into existing processes? Overcoming inertia: Acceptance by users?

The Barriers to New TechnologyThe Barriers to New Technology

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An independent validation of manufacturer’s specifications

Selection of well-qualified Data Providers with experience and established “best practices”

Standardized procurement specifications and selection criteria

Quality control measures

The Formula for QualityThe Formula for Quality

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Development of a comprehensive quality plan Acceptance and use by Inter-Agency Digital Image

Working Group composed of 14 Federal agencies Extension of requirement to other agencies and

contracting offices Acceptance by general user community

What is the USGS Strategy for Quality?What is the USGS Strategy for Quality?

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The major players:

Manufacturers

Data Providers

Procurement officials

End-users

What’s Your Perspective?What’s Your Perspective?

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The USGS PerspectiveThe USGS Perspective

Image products and services for other agencies and cooperators via contracts with Data Providers

Occasional procurement of sensor systems Quality assurance of end products for The National

Map Development and establishing standards for

geospatial community

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USGS Plan for Quality AssuranceUSGS Plan for Quality Assurance

Four major parts covering two major processes:

Data Production Manufacturers Certification Data Providers Certification

Data Purchasing & Acceptance Contracting Guidelines Data Acceptance Standards

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The USGS PlanThe USGS Plan

Data Procurement:

Contracting Guidelines & Boilerplate Tool

Data Users and Inspectors:

Acceptance Standards

Sensor Manufacturers:

Manufacturers Certification

Data Providers:

Data Providers Certification

User Needs

Data Purchasing and Acceptance Domain

Data Production Domain

Final Product

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Manufacturers CertificationManufacturers Certification Aerial Digital Imaging is in its “Wild West” phase

Anything & everything being tried Some metric-quality systems Many “other” systems

How does the customer know which can produce mapping-quality data?

USGS to offer “type certification” of mapping-quality digital aerial sensors

Must be stable, well-quantified, repeatable Able to routinely generate mapping-quality data

When operated properly!

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Communicates specifications Provides evidence of system performance Independent certification helps to promote sensor

systems Supports verification of Data Provider’s system Type certification eliminates burden of calibration for

each sensor sold in the United States (1 time vs. n times)

Eliminates need for USGS to have custom-built calibration instrument for calibration purposes

Benefits of Manufacturers CertificationBenefits of Manufacturers Certification

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USGS Manufacturers Review TeamUSGS Manufacturers Review Team Review Team Lead - Gregory L. Stensaas

Remote Sensing Technologies Project ManagerUSGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center, Sioux Falls, SDstensaas@usgs.gov

Systems Engineering Team Member - Jon Christopherson Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) Contractor to the USGS EROS, Sioux Falls, SDjonchris@usgs.gov

Photogrammetric Engineering Team Member - Dr. George Y. G. LeeU.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CAgylee@usgs.gov

Geo-Spatial and Software Engineering Team Member - Donald Moe Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) Contractor to the USGS EROS, Sioux Falls, SDdmoe@usgs.gov

Radiometric and Physics Team Member - Dr. Robert RyanScience Systems and Applications, Inc. Contractor to NASA Stennis Space Center, MSRobert.Ryan@ssc.nasa.gov

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Data Providers CertificationData Providers Certification

Focused on processes and process control Ensures that Data Providers are operating sensors in

accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and limitations Ensures that Data Providers follow quality procedures

Focused on documentation and monitoring of procedures and best practices

ISO-like certification process

Desire to ensure reliability, repeatability, and quality

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Provides evidence of performance of products Independent certification helps to promote product

specifications and Data Provider’s capabilities Documents Data Provider’s quality assurance plan

and “best practices” One certification for Data Provider and not for each

camera Data Providers no longer have to send cameras to

OSL for calibration, reducing down-time and shipping expenses

Benefits of Data Providers CertificationBenefits of Data Providers Certification

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Contracting GuidelinesContracting Guidelines

User community is not sure how to contract for digital imagery

New terms, capabilities, standards, lexicon Inhibits digital contracting Addresses boilerplate requiring “USGS Certificate” Goal is to remove barriers to digital aerial contracts Encourage digital imaging

Created Federal Digital Imagery General Contract Guideline

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Standardized terms and descriptions make the contracting process easier and more uniform among agencies

Guidelines help acceptance of digital sensors and educate end-users on benefits of digital technology

Standardized terms and guidelines help contracting officers describe their users needs

Standardized performance measures USGS certifications provide a priori acceptance of

systems and Data Provider’s “best practices” Manufacturer and Data Providers Certification reduces

necessary documentation in the RFP process

Benefits of Contracting GuidelinesBenefits of Contracting Guidelines

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Digital Data Acceptance StandardsDigital Data Acceptance Standards

End-users unsure of how to judge digital aerial data quality

New terms & capabilities (resolution, spectral, etc.) Each customer understands things differently

There is a need for common, uniform definitions and methods for evaluating quality of image data

USGS to work with Inter-Agency Digital Image Working Group to develop these standards

Goal is a Web-based tool illustrating quality problems, measurement techniques, and standards

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Data consumers have common standards to evaluate data products

More consistent acceptance/rejection criteria among contracting agencies

Clearer standards and guidelines helps to eliminate false expectations

Ensures high quality products Increases customer satisfaction

Benefits of Acceptance StandardsBenefits of Acceptance Standards

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Manufacturers Certification (Cost-shared by USGS and manufacturers)

Data Providers Certification (100% by Data Providers)

Contracting Guidelines (100% USGS and IADIWG funded)

Acceptance standards (100% USGS and IADIWG funded)

Funding StrategyFunding Strategy

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Manufacturers Certification Guidelines drafted Up to 4 manufacturers to be certified this fiscal year Applanix and Intergraph factory visits completed, reports

pending A few details but no major issues; certification to be issued soon Leica and Vexcel-Microsoft visits being discussed now

Four Data Providers have expressed interest working on the initial round of Data Providers Certification

First draft of Digital Imagery Contracting Guideline completed and reviewed by limited group

A Web-based tool to help generate contracting language is being developed

IADIWG to begin drafting guidelines in Fall

StatusStatus

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USGS Plan for Quality Assurance of Digital Aerial Imagery briefed during ASPRS panel session

Invite comment from broader community Finalize and obtain ASPRS approval Complete initial four Manufacturers Certifications Begin initial Data Providers Certifications Provide briefings to geospatial community Participate in international forums to communicate

plans used in the United States

Next StepsNext Steps

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Four Phases of Technology Assimilation:

Phase 1: Identification and investment Phase 2: Learning and adaptation Phase 3: Management control and standards Phase 4: Maturity and widespread acceptance

Closing ThoughtClosing Thought

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To implement a comprehensive, meaningful process that ensures the quality of data products and services

To cooperatively develop the plan with all elements of the geospatial community

Good for one is good for all

Education and training for the community

To establish a model to support other new technologies in the future

SummarySummary

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IADIWG Web site at: http://calval.cr.usgs.gov/

For more informationFor more information

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Contact:

Gregory L. StensaasRemote Sensing Systems Characterization ManagerUSGS EROS Data Center47914 252nd StreetSioux Falls, SD 57198605-594-2569stensaas@usgs.gov

For issues or commentsFor issues or comments

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Questions or comments?

The USGS Quality PlanThe USGS Quality Plan