Graz, Austria — June 28, 2012 — GEODIS in the Czech Republic has contracted with Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit and subsidiary, Vexcel Imaging GmbH, to purchase an UltraCam Eagle digital aerial camera system and upgrade two UltraCamX cameras to UltraCamXp systems. GEODIS GROUP has acquired five UltraCam cameras since 2006. The UltraCam Eagle provides the latest technology advances in the line of award-winning UltraCam digital aerial camera systems.
“To meet increased demand for aerial imaging projects in 2012, and to expand into new geographic areas, GEODIS needed to increase its data collection capabilities,” stated Mr. Patrik Meixner, Production Manager, GEODIS. “The UltraCam technology has worked very well for GEODIS and by staying within the UltraCam family, GEODIS is able to maximize efficiency within its well-developed production system, and streamline flight planning for the best allocation of airplanes and cameras.”
The UltraCam Eagle and the four UltraCamXp cameras will be used primarily in Europe and the Middle East. In addition to an ultra-large imaging footprint and integrated modular sensor head, the UltraCam Eagle features a smaller physical size, lower weight and lower power consumption, as compared to other UltraCam systems. The UltraCamXp has a larger footprint and more storage capability than its predecessor, the UltraCamX, which allows for fewer flight lines, thus saving time and lowering cost, while retaining high radiometric performance.
“Microsoft is very happy to work with GEODIS as it pursues a successful growth plan,” said Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Business Director. “The UltraCam Eagle and UltraCamXp cameras are excellent additions to the company’s resources.”
About the UltraCam Eagle
The UltraCam Eagle features a PAN image footprint of 20,010 pixels across the flight strip. In addition to the ultra-large image footprint, the UltraCam Eagle includes enhanced electronics for improved frame rate and less noise (72 dB signal-to-noise ratio for high image dynamic) when compared to previous UltraCam systems, and innovative high-resolution, high-performance lenses and state-of-the art CCD technology (@ 5.2 µm pixel size) for sharp images with a high dynamic range. The UltraCam Eagle is the first multi-cone digital photogrammetric camera to offer an exchangeable lens system with 80mm (standard) and 210mm (tele for high altitude flights) and includes filters with curved characteristics to flatten out vignetting, enabling the lens system to operate at its best Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) performance for maximum image sharpness and contrast. This digital camera system boasts a new housing concept with everything integrated into a modular sensor head, including the UltraNav embedded flight management and direct georeferencing system from Applanix, and in-flight exchangeable, solid state storage for high reliability and minimal ground time. Compared to previous UltraCam systems, the smaller physical form factor of the UltraCam system makes it quicker and easier to install, requires less aircraft space, and weighs less for more efficient aircraft fuel consumption.
About the UltraCamXp
The UltraCamXp photogrammetric digital aerial camera provides a pixel size of 6 µm and a footprint of 196 megapixels (17,310 across track x 11,310 along track). The resolution ratio of 1:3 between pan and color bands allows the production of high-resolution pan-sharpened products. The collection rate of 2.5 Gbits per second allows for rapid data collection. The low-cost, exchangeable on-board storage devices hold up to 6,600 images each—approximately 4.2 terabytes of data. The vast storage capability permits efficient data collection as a result of uninterrupted image collection and minimal ground time.
About Microsoft’s UltraCam Business Unit
With its operations based in Graz, Austria, and sales and support teams in North America, Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit brings more than two decades of photogrammetry expertise to Microsoft’s Bing Maps business unit. The division is responsible for the highly successful line of UltraCam digital aerial mapping systems that include the UltraCamLp, UltraCamXp, UltraCamXp Wide Angle and UltraCam Eagle digital photogrammetric sensors. Rounding out the UltraCam mapping systems offering is the UltraMap workflow software system for processing UltraCam imagery to Level 02 and Level 03 quality data, and with features that include distributed processing with automated load balancing, automated project-based color balancing, and additional quality control tools.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About GEODIS
GEODIS was incorporated in 1990 in the Czech Republic. The GEODIS GROUP is currently made up of 13 companies that offer a complete range of services in the fields of geodesy, land registry, photogrammetry and GIS to public and private customers. Over 460 specialists are employed in six countries. GEODIS continues to invest in new technology, such as lidar scanning, mobile mapping, UAV/UAS, 3D modeling, and digital imaging, to provide clients with a variety of up-to-date high-precision maps and 2D and 3D digital data. For additional information, go to http://www.geodis.cz, or contact Patrik Meixner by telephone +420 538 702 032 or email patrik.meixner@geodis.cz.