Geometrical Comparisons between Rigorous Sensor Model and Rational Function Model for Quickbird Images

The objective of this investigation is to compare the geometric precision of Rigorous Sensor Model and Rational Function Model for QuickBird images. In rigorous sensor model, we use the on-board data and ground control points to fit an orbit; then, a least squares filtering technique is applied to collocate the orbit. In rational function model, we first use the rational polynomial coefficients provided by the satellite company. Then the systematic bias of the coefficients is compensated by an affine transformation using ground control points. Experimental results indicate that, the RFM provides a good approximation in the position accuracy.