Industry Raster
A new release of ERDAS Image Web Server features Optimized Tile Delivery serving more than 4,000 tiles in one second. In comparison benchmarks, ERDAS Image Web Server consistently delivers more data, more quickly, using less hardware than other image-serving products. Many public sites now offer data via a tile-based delivery method, where a complete image or map consists of a number of smaller image tiles (rather than a single image). Typically, this type of imagery delivery has been hardware intensive, requiring a multitude of servers or caching systems for good performance on high-demand sites. Optimized Tile Delivery enables a single ERDAS Image Web Server to replace an entire server farm and/or caching system when providing tile-based geographic data. In 1999, Image Web Server introduced high-speed ECWP streaming imagery protocol, enabling a single standard server to provide imagery information to 5,000 or more users on a single physical server. Optimized Tile Delivery continues ERDAS Image Web Server’s pioneering legacy of high-speed image delivery to thousands of users, without horrendous hardware costs. Also in this release, cached data from the ECWP Web browser plug-in now persists over different browser visits. The client-side data caching features are configurable, enabling a user to increase or decrease the amount of space that the cache consumes.
NGA Group Confirms Accuracy of Space Radar Imaging
The accuracy defined in the TerraSAR-X data product specifications has now been confirmed by the Civil and Commercial Applications Project (CCAP) Group within the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. In a contribution titled “Geometric Precision in Space Radar Imaging: Results from TerraSAR-X,” Thomas P. Ager, NGA system engineer for radar, and his co-author, Paul Bresnahan of Observera, describe the evaluation processes and parameters applied to 13 high-resolution SpotLight and another 13 StripMap acquisitions. These were collected in single-polarization (VV) mode, generated as multi-look ground-range detected products with spatially enhanced processing, and included the rapid orbit metadata. Orbit errors are as small as 20 centimeters for routine images available within one day of collection, and range errors of well under 1 meter are verified. NGA’s CCAP regularly performs geolocation accuracy evaluations for civil and commercial imagery being purchased or considered for purchase by the agency.
Geo-Imaging Software Supports Remote Sensing
Geomatica 10.2 is the latest version of PCI Geomatics’ image-centric desktop software, emphasizing automation and productivity for turning spatial data into information. Geomatica 10.2 is PCI Geomatics’ complete set of geo-imaging software for remote sensing, digital photogrammetry, raster spatial analysis, map production, mosaicking and automated production workflows. The release provides important new capabilities and extended functionality that allows users to be more productive. Additionally, it includes new and simplified re-packaging options along with more competitive pricing. Enhancements to 10.2 include additional satellite sensor support, including GeoEye-1 and COSMO-SkyMed. Also new is a “get data” option that allows users to access different data provider Web sites to locate their data in an easy and convenient way. Additionally, Geomatica 10.2 offers added support now available for automatic GCP extraction from vectors such as roads.
Publishing Product Aids Image Dissemination
TerraGo Technologies has released its new Publisher for Raster (formerly known as Map2PDF for Raster) product. The new solution gives users the ability to publish large geo-referenced or orthorectified images to a geo-referenced PDF file format (GeoPDF) for easy dissemination and use by field personnel. Key enhancements available in the new Publisher for Raster solution include geospatial collaboration, custom configuration, greater usability and broader compatibility. Users have the ability to generate GeoPDF files from a broader range of sources with TerraGo’s enhanced projection engine. In addition, users can output both OGC and ISO 32000 geo-enabled PDFs, while maintaining the robust capabilities of the TerraGo GeoPDF. Publisher for Raster supports major file formats, such as ADRG, CADRG, CIB, IMG, MrSID, NITF and TIFF. The GeoPDF output file supports a single image per input dataset, and the source image contained in the file is tiled and compressed using either JPEG or Flate compression. Depending on the data source, users typically see a 1 to 100 compression ratio while maintaining the image quality. When used in conjunction with TerraGo Composer, the TerraGo GeoPDF files can be used to create comprehensive map books and other geospatial applications that integrate an organization’s unique business context and workflow.
Map Development Platform Accelerates Driver Assistance Systems
The new Map and Positioning Engine (MPE) Development Platform from NAVTEQ is a complete evaluation toolkit designed to accelerate the development of map-enhanced fuel efficiency and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) applications that are linked through the vehicle controller area network bus or even embedded in another sensor or electronic control unit. The MPE Development Platform demonstrates the concept of an embedded ADAS map and electronic horizon in the vehicle to serve numerous applications ranging from driver assistance to active safety and reduced greenhouse emissions. With MPE these applications are possible on all vehicles, even when a navigation system or navigable map is not resident. The MPE Development Platform is a natural extension of NAVTEQ’s MPE Reference Solution. The toolkit includes the NAVTEQ MPEmap, the patented NAVTEQ Electronic Horizon technology, a prototype MPE On-Board Unit with GPS and software, GPS antenna and cables, and demonstration software for testing and evaluation of the MPE concept.
NGA Certifies Solution for Common Geo-Positioning Services
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has certified the ELT/5500 PRO 4.0 software solution from Overwatch Geospatial Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, for precision positioning using Common Geo-positioning Services (CGS) version 2.1. This certification provides GEOINT analysts access to the most current CGS precision targeting capability through their ELT/5500 PRO application, and marks a milestone in Overwatch Geospatial Systems’ continuing history of innovation and client responsiveness as the market leader in GEOINT solutions and services. CGS was designed by the U.S. government to provide users of all image exploitation systems with a common tool for precise geo-positioning. Overwatch Geospatial Systems’ CGS certification provides analysts and targeteers at every level a government-validated and consistent tool for producing the most accurate geo-coordinates possible for precision targeting. The certification also underscores Overwatch Geospatial Systems’ emphasis on geodetic accuracy in all of its products, including Remote View, and paves the way for thousands of ELT/5500 PRO users to integrate CGS version 2.1 with ELT/5500 PRO. Integrating CGS version 2.1 enables users to streamline workflows, increase accuracy and accelerate time-to-decision for mission-critical operations.
GPS-Enabled Handheld Provides Pinpoint Navigation Support
The PS535F handheld from GETAC is the company’s next generation, fully rugged GPS-enabled PDA featuring a built-in 3 megapixel auto-focus camera, altimeter and E-compass. These new features will enable field-based employees to capture field data on-site and transmit that data back to headquarters in real time. In addition, the PS535F will provide pinpoint navigation support for improved location-based productivity, which is critical with search-and-rescue missions. The unit’s built-in camera enables instant visual data capture in the field, and the 3.5-inch VGA touch screen display with sunlight readable technology dramatically enhances the viewing quality of graphic-intensive files and detailed maps, even in bright sunlight or snowy conditions. In addition to its GPS system, the product’s built-in altimeter and E-compass provide advanced navigation features such as fixed positioning of longitude, latitude and altitude, as well as the ability to provide directional relations between the targeted subject and the user’s position. The PS535F also features comprehensive wireless connectivity options, including integrated Bluetooth V2.0 and 802.11b/g WiFi. Users can connect the PS535F to a GIS server and instantly transmit or process data in the field using a GETAC Bluetooth modem or mobile phone.
Collaboration Delivers Interactive Unified Communications
NEC Sphere Communications, a provider of unified communications (UC) software and service-oriented communications (SOC), is collaborating with SAIC to deliver robust interactive unified communications capabilities as part of their service-oriented architecture (SOA) collaborative infrastructure. Leveraging the UC services with SAIC’s SOA is their GeoViz product, a COTS, Web-centric geospatial collaboration tool suite that provides 2-D, 3-D and 4-D views of geographic areas of interest to military, security, safety and disaster management officials. The GeoViz tool suite provides a unique SOA-based, mission-oriented framework for allowing users and/or groups of users to compose their own specific mission (or user) defined operational picture for subsequent collaboration and mission execution. NEC Sphere’s software is designed as a business application that fits naturally into SOA environments. Its flexibility and openness allows solution integrators to easily create applications that are tailored to customers’ needs. When combined with SAIC’s GeoViz collaborative framework, the solution can deliver shared Voice over Internet Protocol through IP phones or soft phones, instant messaging and on-demand conferencing to different users across multiple domains. ♦
