Analysis of geometric accuracy of Landsat 5 TM and IRS 1D

data by means of DGPS and Map data

E. Saroglu, S. Kaya & C. Ormeci
Remote Sensing Division, Geodesy and Photogrammetry Department, Istanbul Technical University,
34469, Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey

Keywords: rectification, GPS, Landsat, IRS

ABSTRACT: In this study, satellite images obtained from IRS 1D Pan (5.8 m) and Landsat 5 TM
(30 m) sensors were rectified by means of DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) and
1:25,000-scale topographic map derived data. Rectification of IRS 1 D images was carried out
using 19, 15 and 9 GCPs and rectification of Landsat TM was performed by means of 19 and 18
GCPs. Quantity of GCPs were decreased to achieve 0.5 pixel or smaller accuracy and rectification
accuracy of satellite sensor imagery was determined by using 12 CPs. Rectified coordinates of 12
CPs obtained from DGPS- and map- derived data were compared with static GPS results of those
points. At the end of this paper, rectification results of Landsat 5 TM and IRS 1D Pan data obtained
by using DGPS and map coordinates were discussed.
1

INTRODUCTION

Producing topographic maps from satellite sensor images have gained popularity because update,
economic, synoptic and rapid data acquisition is possible with spaceborne systems. However,
obtained satellite sensor images can not be directly used as maps because of the geometric correction
available on them. There are various types of geometric distortion present in satellite sensor data
because of the curvature of the earth, the rotation of the earth during image acquisition, sensor nonidealities, and variations in platform altitude, attitude and velocity. Rectification of satellite sensor
imagery is a significant procedure in order to eliminate geometric distortions of the image and
provide integration of remotely sensed data with spatial databases and geographic information
systems (GIS). Rectification is the process of transformation of pixel coordinate system into ground
coordinate system by using a geometric model such as polynomial equations (Jensen, 1996, ElManadili and Novak, 1996, Saroglu, 2004).
Several articles have been published about the various techniques used for geometric correction
of satellite imagery. Both GPS derived and topographic map derived data are alternative sources for
rectification process. (Smith and Atkinson, 2001, Cook and Pinder, 1996, August et al., 1994,
Karduolas et al., 1996, Gao, 2001).
The objectives of this research were to examine the RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) of check
points (CPs) while achieving 0.5 pixels or smaller accuracy for ground control points (GCPs)
coordinates obtained from DGPS survey and 1:25,000 scale topographic maps in rectification
process and to investigate the accuracy of GCPs and CPs related to image GCP distribution,
number and accuracy.

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THE STUDY AREA AND DATA

The region located in the northwestern part of Turkey and contains European section of Istanbul is
selected as study site. It extends from 40 52 E to 41 21 E in latitude and from 28 30 N to 29
7 N in longitude, covering an area of 2500 km2.
The study region lies within single frames of Landsat TM and IRS 1D Pan satellite images. The
Landsat TM image was acquired on 16 June 1997. The part of the image that constitutes the study
region covers approximately 1750 rows and 1780 columns. The IRS 1D Pan image was acquired
on 09 May 2000. The part of the image that constitutes the study region covers approximately 8680
rows and 8730 columns. Ground control points (GCPs) and check points (CPs) which can be
clearly identified on the satellite sensor images and topographic maps were selected and field
survey was performed for the aim of acquiring coordinates of GCPs and CPs. Coordinates of 19
GCPs were derived by using DGPS method and topographic maps. Coordinates of 12 CPs were
obtained by static GPS technique and relative planimetric precision of static GPS results was
between 6 mm to 20 mm. These coordinates were considered as being highly accurate for the
purpose of study and assumed as true value in order to check fidelity of rectifications done with
DGPS- and map- derived data.
3
3.1

METHODOLOGY USED
Rectification

Remote sensing data contain geometric distortions due to the earth curvature, relief displacement
and the acquisition geometry of the satellites (i.e. variations in altitude, aspect, velocity, panoramic
distortion). The aim of rectification is to minimize the geometric distortions introduced by these
factors and registered image data to a map projection (Lillesand and Kiefer 2000). Rectification is
the process of projecting the image data onto a plane surface and making it align to a map
projection system such as Universal Transversal Mercator (UTM).
3.2

GPS Measurements

In this research, GPS coordinates of GCPs and CPs were determined using Ashtech Zxtreme
receivers. At each point, carrier phase and code observations were recorded at 5-second intervals
for 30 minutes with the availability of at least four GPS satellites. Coordinates of 19 GCPs were
computed by post-process differential GPS and coordinates of 12 check points were acquired from
static GPS technique. Two reference stations were used during GPS observations. Positional accuracies
obtained from static GPS, DGPS surveys and 1/25000 topographic map derived data are shown in
Table1.
Table 1. Positional accuracies obtained from different data sources
Data Source

DE (m)

DN (m)

RMSE(m)

Static GPS
DGPS
1:25,000

0.008
0.38
4.63

0.007
0.42
4.73

0.01
0.57
6.62

RESULTS

Table 2 summarizes number and the RMSE values of the GCPs and CPs for the rectification of
Landsat TM and IRS 1D Pan images using either DGPS or map-derived coordinates. The Landsat
TM image was rectified using 19 GCPs obtained from both DGPS survey and 1/25000 topographic
maps. The RMSE values of below 0.5 pixels for GCPs obtained for DGPS data (0.48 pixels);

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E. Saroglu, S. Kaya & C. Ormeci

Table 2. Number and Root-Mean-Square-Error (RMSE) of the GCPs and CPs for the rectification of Landsat
TM and IRS 1D PAN images using either DGPS or Map-derived Coordinates
Images
Sensors

RMSE of GCPs
(pixels)

RMSE of CPs
(pixels)

No of GCPs

No of CPs

DGPS

1:25,000
scale map

DGPS

1:25,000
scale map

19
18
20
15
9

12
12
12
12
12

0.48

0.70
0.50

0.52
0.47
1.37
0.95
0.47

0.78

0.94
1.10

0.80
0.82
1.37
1.38
1.41

Landsat TM
Landsat TM
IRS 1D Pan
IRS 1D Pan
IRS 1D Pan

however, 0.52 pixels RMSE acquired for 1:25,000-scale topographic map derived GCPs. In order
to obtain 0.5 pixels or smaller RMSE value for 1:25,000-scale topographic map derived data, one
GCP which had highest RMSE was eliminated and 0.47 pixels RMSE value obtained with 18
GCPs. On the other hand, subpixel RMSE values of CPs acquired for DGPS (0.78 pixels) and
1:25,000-scale data (0.80 pixels) with the rectifications of 19 GCPs. For 1:25000-scale data, 0.82
pixels RMSE value occurred for CPs with rectification of 18 GCPs.
19 GCPs were used for rectification of IRS 1D Pan image. Total RMSE of 0.70 pixels was
obtained by DGPS coordinates and 1.37 pixels by 1:25,000-scale map derived coordinates. RMSEs
of CPs was subpixel (0.94 pixels) for DGPS-derived coordinates with rectification of 19 GCPs.
After the elimination of 5 GCPs, 0.50 pixels RMSE value was acquired by DGPS data and 0.95
pixels by 1:25,000-scale map derived data. Accuracy of CPs were 1.10 pixels for DGPS and 1.39
pixels for 1:25,000-scale data with the rectification of 15 GCPs. 0.47 pixels RMSE for GCPs and
1.41 pixels RMSE for CPs were obtained by 1:25,000-scale data with the rectification of 9 GCPs.
5

CONCLUSIONS

Considering only the RMSE of GCPs may cause misunderstanding about the rectification accuracy.
Therefore, both GCPs and CPs accuracies should be evaluated to analyze rectification accuracy.
The results illustrated that although RMSE values of GCPs were smaller than 0.5 pixel, RMSE
values of CPs were calculated as close to one pixel. The quality, quantity and distribution of GCPs
and image resolution affects the accuracy of planimetric coordinates obtained from rectification
process. The accuracy of rectifications were improved by using GPS-derived data. GPS technology
can be used for rectification process when update or appropriate-scale topographic maps are absent
and highly accurate geometric correction is required.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank the ITU Research Foundation for supporting the study through
project number 1634 and project number 30367.
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Analysis of geometric accuracy of Landsat 5 TM and IRS 1D data by means of DGPS

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