Geographical Data Acquisition

This book presents the theory and methodology of geographical data acquisition, providing comprehensive coverage ranging from the definition of geo-referencing systems and transformation between these systems to the acquisition of geographical data using different methods. The material provides readers with a good understanding of the nature of spatial data, the accuracy of spatial data, and the theory behind various data acquisition methodologies. Geographical Data and Its Acquisition (Yuk-Cheung Lee): Introduction; The Nature of Geographical Data; Define the Nature and Scope of the Database; Identify the Types of Features; Design the Geographical Database; A Survey of Data Acquisition Methods; Geo-Reference Data; Trends in Spatial Data Acquisition.- Coordinate Systems and Datum (Esmond Mok, Jason Chao): Coordinate Systems; Geoid and Mean Sea Level; Datum; Ellipsoid; Geodetic and Plane Coordinate Systems.- Transformation of Coordinates between Cartesian Systems (Xiao-Li Ding): Introduction; Basic Concepts of Coordinate Transformations; Models for Coordinate Transformation; Derivation of Transformation Models; Determination of Transformation Parameters.- Map Projections (Yuk-Cheung Lee): Introduction; The Shape of the Earth; Map Projections as Mathematical Transformations; Geometric Distortions on Maps; Preserving Some of the Geometric Properties; Minimizing Geometric Distortions for a Project Area; Naming of Map Projections; Rectangular Grid System; The UTM Projection; The UTM Grid; Integrating Maps of Different Projections; Map Projection and Digital Maps; Conclusions.- Geographical Data from Analogue Maps (Yuk-Cheung Lee, Lilian Pun): Introduction; Vector and Raster Models; The Choice between Vector and Raster Models; Vector Digitizing; Raster Scanning; Conclusion.- Ground-Based Positioning Techniques (Steve Y.W. Lam, Yong-Qi Chen): Introduction; Measurement of Distances and Angles; Measurement of Height; Reduction of Coordinates to Datum; Detail Surveys.- Satellite-Based Positioning (Esmond Mok, Gnther Retscher): Concept of Satellite Positioning; Absolute and Relative Positioning; Differential GPS (DGPS) Technique; Positioning Techniques for Surveying; Real-Time Kinematic Positioning; Future Developments.- Techniques for Underwater Data Acquisition (Gnther Retscher): Introduction and Overview; Tidal and Other Water Level Changes; Soundings; Survey Preparation and Data Processing; Summary and Outlook onFuture Developments.- Image Acquisition (Bruce King, Kent Lam): Introduction; Image Types; Imaging Devices; Air Borne Imagery; Space Borne Imagery.- Orthoimage Generation and Measurement from Single Images (Zhilin Li): Introduction; The Principles for the Generation of Orthoimages; Measurement from Single Image; Procedure for Geo-Referencing Image and Measured Data; Summary.- Geometric Data from Images (Bruce King): Introduction; Stereoscopic Vision; Stereo Photographs; Height from Stereoscopic Parallax; Planimetric Position from a Stereopair; Analytical Methods; Digital Methodologies.- Thematic Information from Digital Images (Qiming Zhou): Factors to be Considered for Thematic Information Extraction; Feature Identification and Image Interpretation; Image Processing for Thematic Information Extraction; Summary.- Current Trends in Geographical Data Acquisition: An Epilogue (Zhilin Li, Yong-Qi Chen).- References.- Subject Index