U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey ASPRS 2006 Annual Conference Reno, Nevada Overview of the USGS Plan for Quality Assurance of Digital Aerial Imagery

2 Outline Background ASPRS Study recommendations Who, what, why, how USGS Plan for Quality Assurance of Digital Aerial Imagery When Summary

3 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 Background

4 USGS 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

5 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 Recommendations

6 Stage 1: Initiation Stage 2: Contagion Stage 3: Control Stage 4: Integration Stages of New Technology

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

8 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 Technology

9 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 Quality

10 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?

11 The major players: Manufacturers Data Providers Procurement officials End-users What’s Your Perspective?

12 The 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

13 USGS 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

14 The 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

15 Manufacturers 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!

16 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 Certification

17 USGS Manufacturers Review Team Review Team Lead - Gregory L. Stensaas Remote Sensing Technologies Project Manager USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center, Sioux Falls, SD Systems Engineering Team Member - Jon Christopherson Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) Contractor to the USGS EROS, Sioux Falls, SD Photogrammetric Engineering Team Member - Dr. George Y. G. Lee U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA Geo-Spatial and Software Engineering Team Member - Donald Moe Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) Contractor to the USGS EROS, Sioux Falls, SD Radiometric and Physics Team Member - Dr. Robert Ryan Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Contractor to NASA Stennis Space Center, MS

18 Data 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

19 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 Certification

20 Contracting 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

21 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 Guidelines

22 Digital 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

23 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 Standards

24 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 Strategy

25 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 Status

26 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 Steps

27 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 Thought

28 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 Summary

29 IADIWG Web site at: For more information

30 Contact: Gregory L. Stensaas Remote Sensing Systems Characterization Manager USGS EROS Data Center nd Street Sioux Falls, SD For issues or comments

31 Questions or comments? The USGS Quality Plan