Date of Award

3-21-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

John F. Raquet, PhD.

Abstract

Given a known aircraft location, a set of camera calibration parameters can be used to correlate features in an image with ground locations. Previously, these calibration parameters were obtained during preflight with a lengthy calibration process. A method to automate this calibration using images taken with an aircraft mounted camera and position and attitude data is developed. This thesis seeks to determine a partial set of circumstances that affect the accuracy of the calibration results through simulation and experimental flight test. A software simulator is developed in which to test an array of aircraft maneuvers, camera orientations, and noise injection. Results from the simulation are used to prepare test points for an experiment flight test conducted to validate the calibration algorithm and the simulator. Real world flight test methodology and results are discussed. Images of the ground along with precise aircraft navigation and time data were gathered and processed for several representative aircraft maneuvers using two camera orientations.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENG-13-M-51

DTIC Accession Number

ADA582013

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