Accurate Mapping Method for UAV Photogrammetry Without Ground Control Points in the Map Projection Frame

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry without ground control points (GCPs) can effectively improve production efficiency and reduce production costs; this method is especially advantageous in areas that are difficult for people to reach. However, there are a series of problems in UAV photogrammetry without GCPs. One of the main problems is that the accurate camera parameters cannot be obtained through the on-the-job calibration method; furthermore, the inaccurate principal distance will have a serious impact on the elevation accuracy of object points. The other one is that the projection deformation and earth curvature also have impacts on the elevation accuracy, when the mapping task is carried out in the map projection frame. This article explains the specific reasons of elevation errors and proposes an effective solution. First, the camera self-calibration is performed in a geocentric frame with control strips. Then, the exterior orientation elements of the images are calculated in the map projection frame without control strips. Finally, the elevation errors that are caused by the map projection deformation and the earth’s curvature are corrected. The experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve accurate mapping, and the elevation accuracy has been significantly improved.