Natural Resources Canada / PCI Geomatics

FPTT Technology Transfer Award

Natural Resources Canada / PCI Geomatics

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Development and transfer of algorithms and methods for the mapping applications of remote sensing and the commercialization of 3D rectification and visualization software of satellite images

Thierry Toutin
Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, NRCan

Philip Cheng
PCI Geomatics

David Stanley
PCI Geomatics

Collaboration between partners with complementary talents and common goals often results in the most dynamic and productive efforts of technology transfer. For more than seven years, Natural Resources Canada research scientist Thierry Toutin and PCI Enterprises have nurtured a relationship that has led to the most exciting developments in remote sensing technology, including initial satellite support systems for the new Canadian RADARSAT and Indian IRS sensors. Most recently, Dr. Toutin's group at the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) was responsible for three-dimensional viewing, processing and feature extraction software that has increased PCI Geomatics product lines. With Dr. Toutin's research, PCI was able within two years to develop a unique product that has revolutionized the remote sensing field and allowed satellites orbiting the globe to process and generate 3-D images of the Earth.

Remotely sensed imagery provides essential information for making decisions on the use and care of natural resources and for sustainable development. The process of obtaining geospatial information involves four stages: 1) data collection, 2) image correction, 3) data or feature extraction and 4) information analysis and interpretation. Each of these stages requires specialized tools and procedures. Dr. Toutin has provided the core mathematical knowledge for some of these tools and procedures, particularly for those applied in the image correction stage. Raw images obtained from data suppliers always have geometric distortions caused by either the satellite and the sensor, the variations in terrain elevation, the earth's curvature and rotation, or the cartographic projection used to display the data. Without accurate image correction, these can cause a great deal of positional error in mapping; for example a road's position can be displaced by as much as a kilometre. The mathematical algorithms and methods to correct these distortions are critical, particularly when correlating or integrating imagery from different sensors with geospatial data from different sources. Dr. Toutin's work in this area has enabled PCI to develop a new competitive product, the OrthoEngine Satellite Edition to add to its OrthoEngine Core package.

In fact, software sales based directly on Dr. Toutin's research forms a significant portion of PCI revenue. In 1998, for example, sales of $350,000 representing 240 software licenses and another $450,000 in indirect sales were based on the research scientist's algorithms. Since the beginning of Dr. Toutin's relationship with PCI, more than 1,200 licenses have generated more than $3 million of sales in 60 countries worldwide. Income from the 3-D software represents about 10 per cent of PCI's revenue, which pays substantial royalties to CCRS and supports six full-time staff who further develop and sell products based on Dr. Toutin's work. Success in satellite ortho-correction has prompted PCI to develop products in rapid mapping services associated with ortho-correction of aerial photographs, an even larger market. As well, the research in this field has enabled the geomatics company to forge technology partnerships with other specialists and to further expand their line of products.

Sponsored by:
Hickling Arthurs Low