Verified photomontages for UNESCO World Heritage sites achieves accuracy with Spectra Geospatial SP80
Verified photomontage is an important planning tool to envision how proposed surrounding development plans would affect UNESCO World Heritage sites. Verified photomontage demands the best accuracy for the best visualization to determine what a development may look like to a person standing at the photographic viewpoint.
For MS Environmental (MSE), selected to provide verified photomontage for multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites, including in the UK Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew and the City of Bath, the Spectra Geospatial SP80 GNSS receiver enabled the highest quality visualization.
“The one-centimeter accuracy delivered by the SP80 is essential,” said Mike Spence, a verified photomontage specialist and founder of MSE. “The highest level of accuracy in the relationship between the actual camera location and the 3D model camera gives confidence in the visualization. In addition, The SP80 offers both simplicity and a robust design though it’s taken a few knocks over the years, it gives us the confidence we can use the equipment anywhere in the world and get the best results.”
At Kew Gardens, MSE was commissioned to produce accurate visualizations of views from within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. There was concern about development proposals for tall tower blocks in west London and how these might affect historic views from Kew Gardens.
The work culminated in a public inquiry, where evidence was presented that showed how views would change as a result of the proposed development. “Without the level of accuracy provided by the SP80 together with a transparent technical methodology it would have been unclear precisely how these historic views would change,” Mike Spence said.
At the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath, the Bath and North East Somerset Council commissioned MSE to produce technical photography from strategic views around the World Heritage City to show how development proposals would affect strategic views across the city.
Verified photomontages for UNESCO World Heritage sites achieves accuracy with Spectra Geospatial SP80
Verified photomontage is an important planning tool to envision how proposed surrounding development plans would affect UNESCO World Heritage sites. Verified photomontage demands the best accuracy for the best visualization to determine what a development may look like to a person standing at the photographic viewpoint.
For MS Environmental (MSE), selected to provide verified photomontage for multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites, including in the UK Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew and the City of Bath, the Spectra Geospatial SP80 GNSS receiver enabled the highest quality visualization.
“The one-centimeter accuracy delivered by the SP80 is essential,” said Mike Spence, a verified photomontage specialist and founder of MSE. “The highest level of accuracy in the relationship between the actual camera location and the 3D model camera gives confidence in the visualization. In addition, The SP80 offers both simplicity and a robust design though it’s taken a few knocks over the years, it gives us the confidence we can use the equipment anywhere in the world and get the best results.”
At Kew Gardens, MSE was commissioned to produce accurate visualizations of views from within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. There was concern about development proposals for tall tower blocks in west London and how these might affect historic views from Kew Gardens.
The work culminated in a public inquiry, where evidence was presented that showed how views would change as a result of the proposed development. “Without the level of accuracy provided by the SP80 together with a transparent technical methodology it would have been unclear precisely how these historic views would change,” Mike Spence said.
At the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath, the Bath and North East Somerset Council commissioned MSE to produce technical photography from strategic views around the World Heritage City to show how development proposals would affect strategic views across the city.
A roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the October 2019 issue of GPS World magazine.
OEM
Multi-GNSS receiver
Refined in the Galileo Online project for rail applications
Photo: TeleOrbit
The multi-GNSS receiver GOOSE, distributed by TeleOrbit GmbH and developed by Fraunhofer IIS, is now available in a new housing. GOOSE now also includes the new OS-NMA beta standard, available by the end of 2019, which was integrated within the research project PRoPART. GOOSE is a flexible, professional GNSS receiver development platform with an open software interface, which can be adapted to a variety of applications and application-specific correction services. The flexible development platform offers multi-system and multi-signal real-time processing; integrated antenna receiver combination (smart antenna); guaranteed stable phase center for all GNSS frequencies; and deployment in commercial PC or as an embedded platform. It allows deep coupling and vector tracking in real time; access to correlation values; and record and replay of IF samples. It also offers access to SBAS data including upcoming augmentation systems and differential augmentation systems. The platform has been refined in the Galileo Online project for specific usage in rail applications. It has also been further upgraded as a robust and reliable Galileo position sensor for autonomous truck applications.
Low-noise performance for high dynamic applications
Photo: Gladiator Technologies
The LandMark 007 inertial measurement unit (IMU) combines low noise, high range sensors and Velox high-speed output in a rugged package measuring 0.7 inches square. With rate ranges up to 2000°/s and acceleration ranges as high as 200 g, the LandMark 007 IMU provides demanding, precision performance for a range of high dynamic, rugged applications. High-speed output data rates (up to 10 kHz) for measurement accuracy and flexibility are complemented by low-noise gyros and accelerometers. A development kit is available.
The QZSS L6 decoder module TAU-1303 supports tracking QZSS signals L6D (CLAS) and L6E (MADOCA). It can decode corrections data broadcast from L6D and L6E signals, and assist developers in applying the centimeter-level accuracy by PPP-RTK algorithm with the correction data. Within its 7.6 × 7.6-millimeter size, the module provides six channels to support tracking L6D and L6E at the same time. CLAS on L6D channel corrects satellite clock, orbit, code bias, phase bias ionosphere delay and tropospheric delay. MADOCA on L6E channel corrects satellite clock, orbit, code bias and phase bias. The TAU-1303 offers superior performance through an on-board 26-MHz temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) and a reduced time to first fix because of its dedicated 32-KHz real-time clock oscillator. Based on 40-nanometer manufacturing processes of the Cynosure III GNSS chipset, the TAU-1303 has very low power consumption of less than 40 mA at 3.3V.
ViaLite’s new Local Integrated GPS Splitter was designed to minimize rack space. The unit provides a fan-out of GPS/GNSS signals within a local area, can accept optical inputs from up to four antennas, and has a 1000-1800-MHz frequency range. Though it has a height of only one rack unit, the system is useful for feeding timing and synchronization signals to single or multiple floors or rooms through eight to 32 optical fiber links with no system loss. It includes built-in simple network management protocol (SNMP) control as well as dual-redundant power supply units. Built for data centers, banking institutions, scientific research establishments, cellular test environments, fixed satcom stations, oil and gas platforms, and big data.
Pointfuse point-cloud processing software converts the millions of individual measurements captured by laser scanning and photogrammetry into 3D mesh models.The latest release features streamlined classification to ensure maximum efficiency and multicore processing for unlimited conversion power. The ability to classify objects and compare as-built objects with the design enables more accurate clash detection, reducing the number of false clashes being flagged. Intelligently optimized mesh models reduce the working data size by a factor of up to 100, making them easy to share with online 3D collaboration platforms, such as BIM 360, 3D Repo, Revitzo and Trimble Connect.
FieldGenius for Android, version 1.0, is multi-platform data-collection software built on Android OS. The brand-neutral data-collection software supports most popular GNSS sensors on the market. Features include dynamic data panels synchronized with map views, intuitive interface, simplified workflows and readily available data that surveyors require to make informed decisions in the field. Early adopters receive additional benefits and participate in the newly created MicroSurvey Technology Innovation Group.
The SP20 handheld GNSS receiver offers innovative camera-enabled centimeter-accurate logging in an everyday GIS and survey tool. Rugged, lightweight and versatile, the SP20 delivers high-end performance. It is an easy-to-use tool that delivers accuracy from meter to centimeter, depending on the job. Android-based, it is useful for cadastral, construction or topographic surveys; a range of GIS jobs from data collection to inspection and maintenance; and non-traditional geospatial professionals. The 5.3-inch screen displays the new workflow using a camera to ensure 2D centimeter accuracy handheld and 3D centimeter accuracy with monopole setup.
TerraFlex users can now synchronize data directly to their on-premise Esri geographic information system without cloud services. The new software workflow — called offline data transfer — is possible through the integration of Trimble TerraFlex and the Trimble Positions Desktop add-in for Esri ArcGIS Desktop. TerraFlex is a field solution that enables mobile workers to easily collect, manage and edit their geospatial feature data. The new workflow provides an alternative to using Trimble cloud services for storing and transferring GIS feature data collected with the TerraFlex platform. In addition, TerraFlex field data collected via this workflow using a Trimble GNSS receiver can be post-processed directly inside the Trimble Positions Desktop add-in for improved positional accuracy. The mobile apps are available in Apple’s App Store and the Google Play store.The Trimble Positions Desktop add-in is available through the Trimble Geospatial distribution channel.
The Geode GNS2 sub-meter GPS receiver features connectivity with a range of iPhone and iPad devices, made possible by the Geode’s new MFi certification. Features of the Geode GNS2 include an IP-68 rating to withstand harsh environments, all-day battery life, multiple correction sources for precise real-time data, and an open interface that works with a wide range of Windows, Android, iPhone, and iPad devices as well as Juniper Systems’ handhelds.
Spectra Precision has launched a new brand identity and name for its survey and geographic information systems (GIS) suite of solutions. The organization will now be known as Spectra Geospatial.
The announcement was made at Intergeo 2018, the conference on geodesy, geoinformatics and land management, taking place Oct. 16-18 in Frankfurt, Germany.
The new Spectra Geospatial brand builds upon the reputation and equity built under the previous Spectra Precision identity and now reflects the organization’s evolution of providing a broad range of solutions specifically focused on the geospatial industry, the company said.
“We’ve built a strong reputation for quality and innovation over the past 25 years,” said Olivier Casabianca, general manager of Spectra Geospatial. “We are very proud to bring a new name and brand to the market that accurately reflects our customer and dedication to the industry.”
Spectra Geospatial delivers products to the survey, GIS and construction markets, with the brand offering a complete product portfolio including GNSS, GIS, optical total stations, data collection hardware, and field and office software.
