Sensors for photogrammetric mapping: review and prospects

Abstract The development of sensor systems or the acqusition of imagery for photogrammentric mapping is reviewed. Aerial cameras with film will continue to be tha main source of primary data. Forward motion and angular motion compensation cameras will give images with a resolution of up to 100 1p/ mm. Digitization of such photos for analysis in digital photogrammetric workstations requires scanners with a very small pixel size so as to make use of the inherent information density. Photography and electro-optical sensors from space provide images suitable for topographic mapping at medium and small scales. Systems are reviewed and compared. Imaging radar systems are likely to be tested for topographic applications, although they are primarily designed for other purposes. Photographic and electro-optical cameras for close-range photogrammetry and machine vision are presented and discussed. The impact of digital imagery and softcopy photogrammetric workstations is discussed.