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Browsing Faculty & Staff Research by Subject "Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering"
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Item A case study of the production of an S-57 ENC with CARIS toolsPais, Luis, M.The advent of the Electronic Chart Displaying and Information System (ECDIS) and the availability of an accurate positioning system, such as the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), were the driving technologies for a new digital hydrographic product. The Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) is a new hydrographic product, recognized by the international marine instances as the equivalent of the traditional paper chart. The production of ENCs is being supported by the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to meet the requirements of the International Standard for the Exchange of Hydrographic Data, documented in the IHO special publication No 57 (S-57). The S-57 document makes the use of the object-oriented concept to model the real world into a computer-based format. The aim of this report is to study the production of an ENC with tools from Universal Systems Limited (USL), CARIS and OBMAN, to make recommendations and suggestions not only for software enhancement but also to contribute to the optimization procedures within an Hydrographic Office (HO) currently producing both paper and electronic charts. This report is structured in seven chapters. This first two define the problem of building an ENC within an HO and introduce an historical background to support the discussion between raster and vector charts. The Object-Oriented (O-O) concept in general and its meaning for the S-57 standard, in particular, is described in chapter 3. The use of “dedicated methods” in O-O is particularly important within the S-57 ENC because it allows an object to be displayed with different geometries depending on the scale chosen. The S-57 standard is explained in detail in chapter 4, while chapter 5 introduced the CARIS tools used. Chapter 5 also compares two different ENC viewers (ECVIEW and SeeMyENC!). The steps followed by the author to build an S-57 ENC are also contained in this chapter. An example is the need for an appropriate layering of the data whenever a CARIS file is built for both paper and electronic chart production. The author also suggests a quality control tool to check for inconsistences and distortions on the shapes of the feature objects after the filtering of the point data (S-57 standard).Item A comparison of local and wide area GNSS differential corrections disseminated using the network transort of RTCM via internet protocol (NTRIP)McKessock, GeorgePsuedorange corrections (PRCs) have long been used to improve the accuracy of GNSS solutions in real time. Today, they continue to be useful for sub-metre level requirements, such as when setting ground control for satellite imagery and for en route navigation on land, in the air and at sea. The transmission of these corrections has traditionally been facilitated using either radio or satellite communications. The Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol (NTRIP) specification takes advantage of the availability of Internet over digital mobile phones to disseminate PRCs. In this report, NTRIP has been used to transmit both localized wide area and local PRC corrections over the Internet to a client receiver where they have been applied. The accuracy of different solutions is compared. In addition, the convergence of different solutions is analyzed. This analysis will enable potential users to determine the position and height accuracy that they can expect to achieve under various scenarios as well as the observation times which they should employ. Results for horizontal positions showed errors at a 95% confidence level to be at the 2-metre level for uncorrected GNSS, 30 cm for GNSS augmented with local corrections generated at UNB and 1.0 m for corrections generated 430 km away. The Canadawide Differential GPS (CDGPS) wide area system produced errors of 60 cm. Results for heights were of a similar order. However, we found that height solutions were significantly more correlated with observation time than were horizontal positions. Our work showed that NTRIP could be used easily to both disseminate and use localized wide area and local differential corrections. We believe that as costs for digital mobile service becomes cheaper and more widely available, NTRIP will become commonly used. In addition, we recommend that the CDGPS service consider supporting NTRIP. Currently, CDGPS has a limited user-base because it is accessible only with the use of receivers containing NovAtel®-based chipsets. We believe that NTRIP can potentially bring CDGPS to a much wider object. Finally, by far, the best position and height accuracies achieved were with the use of local differential corrections. Even when the reference receiver was 430 km from the user receiver, resulting solutions were better in both accuracy and precision than uncorrected solutions. Canada and New Brunswick each operate an Active Control Network, consisting of many continuously operating GNSS receivers that are already connected to the Internet. We believe that with very little effort, this network can be extended, using NTRIP, to disseminate DGNSS corrections.Item A digital data recorder and transfer device for the MARCONI 722B Satellite Navigation ReceiverLord, Mark, S.Dr. David Wells of the Department of Surveying Engineering uses a MARCONI 722B Satellite Navigation Receiver in his research. At present, data output from this device is recorded using a paper tape punch. The paper tape produced from the punch is then fed into the IBM 3032 at the U.N.B. Computing Center for calculations and analysis. Needless to say, this methods has proved to be somewhat awkward and cumbersome. The aim of this project is to provide a convenient alternative to the current system, using a micro-computer to collect data directly from the satellite receiver, and then transfer this data to the IBM 3032 through the VSPC online terminal system.Item A geospatial web application (GEOWAPP) for supporting course laboratory practices in surveying engineering(2015) Garbanzo Leon, JaimeAlthough most of the university courses are somehow supported by a Learning management system (e.g Desire2Learn), field practices in survey engineering are not interactively supported by these systems. Also, the internet is available in almost every place today, and there are a wide range of internet services on the web. By combining these advantages with e-learning, survey practicums can be enhanced with a web-based application. The survey practicums are very specialized with precise traditional techniques used for checking measurements in the field. Thus, the combination of E-learning and practicums is not straight forward. In order to achieve this combination, there is a need to define a framework of survey exercises and a way of effectively delivering the information to the student making the process more efficient. Different outlines of surveying courses were studied in order to provide a set of exercises that can be supported by a GEOWAPP (Geospatial Web Application). This thesis proposes a combination of processing tools, created in Python, JavaScript and PHP, and Google Maps. The main objectives is to enhance the experiences that students have in the field as well as evaluating their techniques for surveying. Accuracy was chosen as the pillar of this application, which helps to gather information about students technique and computations, and to locate students’ mistakes easily. This specific application is intended for self-reviewing. A prototype of the application was developed, which contains five (5) operational tools. These tools were tested with artificial and real data; this testing gave a good insight of such an application requirements. User reviews were carried out showing that students embrace the idea of similar applications. Finally, GEOWAPP showed some learning enhancing characteristics. However, a test with a real course remains to be carried out to determine whether it is beneficial to students.Item A land information network for New BrunswickPalmer, DavidConcern about regional economic disparity and the need to make the best possible use of resources has spurred New Brunswick to place its land information management on a formal and systematic basis. Interest in utilizing land information in decision making processes is leading to the development of land information system in the province. A land information system may be defined as a combination of human and technical resources, together with a set of organizing procedures, which results in the collection, storage, retrieval, dissemination, and use of land information in a systematic fashion. Land information systems may be classified according to the nature of the information managed. This gives, for example: a) environmental information which is concerned with environmental zones of unique physical, biological, or chemical natures. b) infrastructure information which relates to man-made improvements to the land. c) cadastral information which focuses on rights, restraints, and responsibilities associated with the land. d) socio-economic information which is concerned with human and economic geography. There distinctions, however, are by no means clear cut. Most recently, attention has been focused on improving coordination between systems through a land information network. A network may be described as a confederation of land information systems. While a land information system may be regarded as an attempt to improve the effective flow of information within an organization, a land information network may be viewed as an attempt to improve the effective flow of information between organizations. A land information network requires information exchange standards and special co-ordination mechanisms. It also requires an understanding of the functions and needs of the land information community. A land information network is characterized by heterogeneity. It brings together people of different background, needs, and beliefs. It utilizes technology in widely disparate forms. A long term commitment by a multi-disciplinary team of land information managers is required if the individual heterogeneous elements are to be melded into a cohesive unified whole.Item A least squares adjustment for long baseline interferometryDavidson, Derek, A.Long baseline interferometry software and data, developed by the Canadian L.B.I. group at York University has been combined with a least squares adjustment package. The options have been implemented to accept an input of both weighted parameters and functional parameter constraints. The results are then analysed statistically, including a chi-square goodness-of-fit test in residuals, a rejection criteria for residual outliers, and chi-square test on the variance factor. The package has been developed with closer regard to computer economy. Computer storage space has been reduced by 60% and processing time has been reduced by 96% compared with the previously used maximum likelihood adjustment routines. This increase in efficiency has resulted in an ability to input a larger number of observations and, accordingly, in an improvement in accuracy.Item A long arc approach to GPS satellite orbit improvementChen, Ding-ShengThe object of this thesis was to design a model, implement software, and test the model and the software for improving the accuracy of the orbits of the satellites of the Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) using double difference GPS phase observation. A dynamic long arc approach is used and satellite orbits are integrated continuously over multiple days. The model includes: The coordinate system transformation between the geocentric inertial coordinate system and the Earth-fixed coordinate system; the modelling of the forces acting on the GPS satellites; the integration methods for the solution of the equations of motion for the GPS satellites, and the partial derivatives of the satellite position vectors with respect to initial state vectors and dynamical parameters; the designation of unknown parameters which are solved for in data processing; the handling of biases in GPS observations; and the adjustment and computational algorithm. A software package associated with the above model has been developed for the Macintosh computer family. The software development is partially based on the GPS Differential Positioning Program (DIPOP) package of the Department of Surveying Engineering of the University of New Brunswick, and the new software package is called DIPOP-E (Enhanced version of DIPOP). The main-processor of DIPOOP-E differs the new version, although DIPOP-E inherits most of the features of the main-processor in DIPOP; the pre-processor has been modified only to accommodate new features in the main-processor, and to improve operational efficiency for processing large data sets. A new special utility tool has been developed for the cycle slip detection and correction. The tool uses window, menu, button, mouse, and graphic display features of the Macintosh computer, which greatly enhances the operational efficiency of the package. Other auxiliary programs have been developed to facilitate the use of the main-processor. The model and software development have been tested thoroughly with the Standard GPS Data Set of the International Association of Geodesy Special Study Group 1.104. All test show that the most accurate results were for the latitude components, followed by the baseline lengths, the longitude components, and finally height components. This [phenomenon is due to the sky distribution of the GPS satellites. The optimistic results of formal uncertainties show that there are some remaining systematic biases in the model. The daily repeatabilities show that the latitude component and baseline length determination were mostly better than 0.1 ppm. For the regional and continental stations, 0.05 ppm level repeatabilities were achieved for the lengths of baselines. The worse results for the short baselines (in terms of ppm) and for the height components may be due to the residual tropospheric effects as no observed meteorological data have been used in data processing.Item A manual for geodetic coordinate transformations in the Maritime provincesKrakiwsky, Edward, J.; Thomson, Donald, B.; Steeves, Robin, R.Item A manual for geodetic position computations in the Maritime ProvincesThomson, D. B.; Krakiwsky, E. J.; Adams, J. R.Item A manual for the establishment and assessment of horizontal survey networks in the Maritime ProvincesThomson, D. B.; Krakiswky, E. J.; Nickerson, B. G.Item A Marine recreational vessel reconnaissance system utilizing IKONOS imageryPegler, Kevin, H.This dissertation investigates the ability of IKONOS imagery to detect small recreational boats. To accomplish this, automatic target detection software called MRV Recon has been developed which makes use of a weighted Euclidean distance metric. To test the detection accuracy of MRV Recon, a dataset was created by gathering position and attribute data for 53 recreation vessel targets within Cadboro Bay, British Columbia, Canada. IKONOS imagery was collected in May 2003. The overall detection accuracy was 77 %. The targets were broken down into two categories: A) less than 6 m in length, and B) greater than 6 m long. The detection rate for the category B targets was 100%, while the detection rate for the category A targets was 61%. It is important to note that some category A targets were selected specifically to test the detection limits of MRV Recon. The smallest target detected was 2.2 m long and 1.1 m wide. The analysis also revealed that the ability to detect targets between 2.2 m and 6 m long was diminished if the target was a dark colour. It has been demonstrated that MRV Recon will provide the Canadian Coast Guard with a unique and effective tool for gathering crucial data on recreational vessels.Item A method for astro-gravimetric geoid determinationMerry, C. L.; Vanicek, PetrItem A method for processing data from a regional continuous crustal deformation GPS monitoring networkShen, ChunlinThis thesis focuses on improvement of methods for processing GPS data to detect regional crustal deformation signals of centimetre or even millimetre level, based on the DIfferential POsitioning Program (DIPOP) GPS software package. The experimental field is the Western Canada Deformation Array (WCDA), a regional continuous GPS tracker network for monitoring crustal deformation in western Canada. As part of the Canadian National Earthquake Hazards Program, WCDA was established by the Geological Survey Canada, Natural Resources Canada primarily for the study of the seismic hazard in this region. DIPOP is a development of the Department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, University of New Brunswick. Since the birth of DIPOP 1.0 in 1985, DIPOP has been continuously upgraded with the advance of GPS and computer techniques, and is still under development. Since error correction models directly affect the quality of processing results, the models of the tide and residual atmospheric delay corrections have been tested with the longest baseline of the WCDA network. Also, a weeklong GPS data set from 7 WCDA baselines was processed to evaluate the performance of DIPOP. The solutions for both the height component and baseline length show daily repeatability better than 1 cm for baselines ranging from 254 to 672 km. Differences between the weekly solutions from DIPOP and the ITRF2000 solutions published by International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) are of the order of a few centimetres in the components of latitude, longitude, and height. In order to test the capability of DIPOP to extract deformation signals, a continuous 52-week data set from 3 selected WCDA baselines was processed. Annual movement rates for the components of latitude, longitude, and height were estimated by weighted least squares linear fitting and assessed by values of the coefficient of determination and the F-test. The daily time series of the position solutions at the 3 remote sites show movement rates of 0.4 - 1.4 cm per year and -7.8 - 2.6 mm per year in the horizontal and vertical components, respectively. By analyzing the processed results, potential error sources affecting the accuracy of the DIPOP solutions were assessed. It is suggested that the methods for estimating residual tropospheric delay and correcting receiver antenna phase center variation need to be improved; and reduction of multipath interference needs to be taken into consideration in data processing for high-precision positioning. Improvement of the technique for detecting and fixing cycle slips was also studied. A method of automatically detecting cycle slips was developed and implemented in the preprocessor PREDD of DIPOP. The new method shows better efficiency for data processing with DIPOP.Item A methodology for raster to vector conversion of colour scanned mapsSharma, OjaswaThis thesis is an attempt to automate a portion of the paper map conversion process. This includes replacing the manual digitization process by computer assisted skeletonization of scanned paper maps. In colour scanned paper maps various features on the map can be distinguished based on their colour. This research work differs from the previous research in the way that it uses the Delaunay triangulation and the Voronoi diagram to extract skeletons that are guaranteed to be topologically correct. The features thus extracted as object centrelines can be stored as vector maps in a Geographic Information System after labelling and editing. Furthermore, map updates are important in any Geographic Information System. This research work can also be used for updates from sources that are either hardcopy maps or digital raster images. The extracted features need manual editing in order to be usable in a Geographic Information System. This involves manual gap filling and clutter removal. A prototype application that is developed as part of the research has been presented. This application requires a digital image as input and processes it to produce skeletons or boundaries of objects. This research work can be further extended by considering automated gap filling in the extracted features.Item A Multi-Feature Fusion Using Deep Transfer Learning for Earthquake Building Damage Detection(Taylor and Francis, 2021) Abdi, Ghasem; Jabari, ShabnamWith the recent tremendous improvements in the spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions of remote sensing imaging systems, there has been a dramatic increase in the applications of remote sensing images. Amongst different applications of very high-resolution remote sensing images, damage detection for rapid emergency response is one of the most challenging ones. Recently, deep learning frameworks have enhanced the performance of earthquake damage detection by automatic extraction of strong deep features. However, most of the existing studies in this area focus on using nadir satellite images or orthophotos which limits the available data sources. This limitation decreases the temporal resolution of the practical images, which is a serious issue considering the emergency nature of damage detection applications. The objective of this study is to present a multimodal integrated structure to combine orthophoto and off-nadir images for earthquake building damage detection. In this context, a multi-feature fusion method based on deep transfer learning is presented, which contains four different steps, namely pre-processing, deep feature extraction, deep feature fusion, and transfer learning. To validate the presented framework, two comparative experiments are conducted on the 2010 Haiti earthquake using pre- and post-event off-nadir satellite images, which were collected by WorldView-2 (WV-2) satellite platform as well as a post-event airborne orthophoto. The results demonstrate considerable advantages in identifying damaged and non-damaged buildings with over 83% for the overall accuracy.Item A neutral framework for modelling and analysing Aboriginal land tenure systemsRakai, Mele, E.R.Land tenure and land administration are culture- laden areas, as can be seen in Canada, where Aboriginal land tenure and land administration systems are challenging the conventional theory of property rights and western models of land administration. There is a need to better understand land tenure if land administration, which is concerned with implementing land tenure policies, is to be re-designed and improved upon. This thesis is concerned with developing a framework to guide the analysis, modelling, design and implementation of land tenure reforms for Aboriginal communities. A problem highlighted by the cross-cultural land tenure literature is the inherently biased emphasis of current land administrations towards eurocentric concepts of land and land tenure. The primary objective of this research is to help alleviate this inequitable eurocentric bias by developing an ethnocentrically equitable or neutral analytical framework for analysing and designing proposed reforms of Aboriginal land tenure and land administration systems. The major conclusion of this research is that the research objective can be achieved by developing a neutral framework that incorporates the cultural worldviews, concepts, values and aspirations of the community, and rigorously analyses, models and compares the land tenure systems of the Aboriginal group. The neutral framework is developed by integrating concepts and approaches from anthropology, geomatics engineering and soft systems engineering. The neutral framework entails first using the comparative design criteria of worldviews, values, concepts, goals and institutions of members of a community. This allows the Aboriginal land tenure systems to be described and analysed from the cultural perspective of the subject Aboriginal group. Conceptual logical models are then developed from the issues identified in the initial cultural analysis, to enable comparisons to be made between each developed conceptual model and its relevant existing land tenure system or subsystem. The comparisons are then evaluated to identify reforms to be made to the existing land tenure systems that are systemically desirable and culturally feasible for the subject community. The neutral framework is tested by applying it to the Mi’kmaq of mainland Nova Scotia, an Aboriginal community in eastern Canada. Comparisons are also made with the Nisga’a and the Lheidli T’enneh communities in western Canada.Item A new navigation filterXu, BenlinThis dissertation describes a new self-learning navigation filter associated with probability space and non-Newtonian dynamics. This new filter relies basically on the information contained in measurements on the vehicle: position fixes, velocities and their error statistics. The basic idea behind this new navigation filter is twofold: (1) A cluster of the observed position fixes contains true kinematic information about the vehicle in motion, (2) A motion model of the vehicle associated with the error statistics of the position fixes should be able to get, to a large extent, the information out of the measurements for use. We base the new filter on an analogy. We consider the statistical confidence region of every position fix as “source" tending to “attract" the undetermined trajectory to pass through this region. With these position fixes and their error statistics, a virtual potential field is constructed in which an imaginary mass particle moves. To make the new filter flexible and responsive to a changing navigation environment, we leave some parameters free and let the filter determine their values, using a sequence of observations and the criterion of least squares of the observation errors. We show that the trajectory of the imaginary particle can well represent the real track of the vehicle. The new navigation filter has been tested with both simulated and real navigation data, as an estimator, predictor, smoother and blunder detector. Its ability to accept navigator's intervention has also been tested. Compared with the Kalman filter, the new filter requires the uncertainties of observations to be known only relatively (cofactor matrix) and is able to offer a better navigation when the vehicle is under dynamic maneuvers and the data rate is small, but with a slower processing speed.Item A physically meaningful model of vertical crust movements in Canada using smooth piecewise algebraic approximation: Constraints for glacial isostatic adjustment modelsKoohzare, AzadehDifferent kinds of analytical models of crustal deformation have both advantages and limitations, and are appropriate to different deformation patterns. However, in wide areas where multiple geophysical phenomenon are responsible for the deformation, such as in Canada, it would be a challenge to infer a physically meaningful model that accommodates different kinds of scattered geodetic data, while offering the optimum approximation to them. We develop an efficient method to automatically compute a smooth approximation of large functional scattered re-levelling data and historical tide gauge records given over Canada and northern US to thereby compile a unified map of Vertical Crustal Movements (VCM). The area of study is divided into patches and piecewise algebraic surfaces are fitted to 2D observation points and tilt between them, where constraints are enforced between the parameters of the surfaces. When the surfaces are fitted to the data, the set of constraints is imposed in such a way that rather than the surfaces being fitted sequentially, they are fitted simultaneously. The VCM model accomplished in this research is computationally demanding and numerically manageable. Enforcing the continuity and smoothness in the first derivatives throughout the surfaces, the VCM model highlights the long wavelength spatial variations of the crust in Canada, mainly due to Post Glacial Rebound (PGR). The rate of changes of orthometric height obtained from the map of VCM (H& ) is compared with the map of rate of gravity changes (ġ) in Canada (Pagiatakis and Salib, 2003). The PGR hinge line follows the same pattern in both maps and the close correlation between the map of VCM and ġ map is easily traceable and is in a fairly good agreement with theoretical model of Jachens (1978) in different areas. The VCM is also compared to geodetic height changes based on GPS solutions in Canadian Base Network (CBN) stations (Henton et al., 2006). This investigation shows disagreement with the GPS solution in Canadian prairies. In this study, some of theprobable causes of such inconsistencies are explored. VCM is also collated to theoretical predictions based on the published ICE-3G and ICE-4G loading history and on a model of Earth rheology characterized by stratified viscosity variations (Tushingham and Peltier, 1991; Peltier, 1994). In this study, a map of ratio between gravity changes to height changes is compiled and physically interpreted. Using VCM and geodetic height changes from CBN-GPS solution, a map of rate of geoidal height changes is also compiled and interpreted in some areas in Canada. The VCM constraints on Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) model parameters are investigated by varying, one at a time, two key parameters: 1) viscosity in different layers, and 2) the thickness of Laurentide ice over individual ice disks in Eastern Canada, and the Prairies, to obtain better fits to the VCM. In Eastern Canada, the VCM is consistent with an increase in the upper mantle viscosity. In The Great Lakes, the VCM has a better agreement with the predictions of GIA computed considering a lower viscosity for different layers of mantle. This study shows also that near the centre of rebound at Churchill, present day vertical crustal movement is most sensitive to the viscosity in the shallow part of the lower mantle and the transition zone (UM2). The VCM is consistent with a thinning of the Laurentide ice-sheet over the Prairies relative to both standard ice models. These analyses leads to better understanding of the trade-offs between Earth rheology and ice sheet history and hence some suggestions are made to improve postglacial rebound model.Item A plan for coastal zone integrated resource management in a developing south west pacific island countryBarker, Timothy, D.GThe coastal zones of developing nations are subject to current and potential stresses of unprecedented magnitude. The health, nutrition and well being of the people of a relatively poor country such as the Solomon Islands, are directly dependent on the integrity and continued productivity of resources from these areas. The capability of government to manage effectively over the long term is the single most important prerequisite to the fulfillment of basic human needs and the ultimate achievement of sustainable development. The governments of many developing nations have begun to acknowledge the importance of these issues, but the unwillingness or inability of past colonial or current indigenous agencies to manage coastal resources and protect environmental quality has prevented effective coastal management in many cases. This thesis concentrates on the organizational and process oriented problems of coastal management associated with insufficient coordination of intra- and inter-governmental authorities and inadequate information management techniques. In this thesis an appropriate coastal management strategy, defined as Coastal Zone Integrated Resource Management (CZIRM) is introduced. Through the analysis of current coastal management programs in a number of different jurisdictions and the identification of a tool for user requirement specification, a plan for CZIRM implementation is developed.Item A priori estimation of variance for surveying observables(1978) Nickerson, B. G.