Graz, Austria, July 30, 2013”The Survey Department of the Myanmar Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry (MOECF) has contracted with Microsoft's UltraCam business unit to purchase a complete hardware and software aerial mapping package, including an UltraCam Eagle digital aerial camera system with an 80mm lens, the UltraMap DenseMatcher, Ortho Pipeline and Aerial Triangulation software modules, and the UltraNav flight management system. The transaction was brokered by Microsoft affiliate Imagemaps Pte. Ltd. and Microsoft reseller Suntac Technologies Co., Ltd.
The Myanmar Survey Department is transitioning from analog to digital aerial mapping after carefully researching the options available on the market. The large image footprint and high resolution of the UltraCam Eagle is highly suitable for the large-area national mapping that is conducted by the MOECF. As an added benefit, the camera's innovative housing concept integrates all components into one unit, making installation and operation simple and requiring minimal space in the aircraft. The UltraMap software modules facilitate generating quality image products that extract the most value from the data being collected.
The MOECF is our first customer in this region to purchase the UltraMap full photogrammetric suite paired with the UltraCam Eagle, said Mr. Lee Hon Chuan, General Manager, Imagemaps. This cutting edge technology is a huge jump from the Ministry's current analog workflow. It should significantly improve the quality and volume of maps that they produce.
Microsoft is pleased to provide the Myanmar Survey Department with its first UltraCam camera, said Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Business Director. The business development and economic growth in this part of the world is driving the demand for accurate and up-to-date maps.
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. This digital camera system boasts a new housing concept with everything integrated into a modular sensor head. Compared to previous UltraCam systems, the smaller physical form factor of the UltraCam system requires less aircraft space, weighs less for more efficient aircraft fuel consumption, and is easier and quicker to install.
About UltraMap
UltraMap, a workflow software developed to enable managing and processing vast amounts of digital aerial data, is in its third release and includes new functionality for the automated processing of 3D point clouds, digital surface models (DSM) and ortho mosaics. The Aerial Triangulation (AT) module provides an interactive workflow while calculating image correspondences in order to generate a precise exterior orientation for an entire image block. The Dense Matching module creates high-density point clouds, a DSM and an internally used DTM from Level-2 images, extrapolating precise exterior orientation data to generate per-pixel height values. The Ortho Pipeline module generates the final ortho mosaic from all available inputs such as Level-2 imagery, AT results, radiometric settings, and the DSM/DTM.
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 today include the UltraCamLp, UltraCam Falcon, and UltraCam Eagle digital photogrammetric sensors, and the UltraCam Osprey nadir/oblique photogrammetric digital aerial sensor. Rounding out the UltraCam offerings is the fully integrated UltraMap workflow software system, with features that include high-density 3D point cloud creation, highly accurate and detailed digital surface model (DSM) generation, and ortho mosaicing capabilities based on an automatically generated DSM or traditional DSM.
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 the Survey Department, Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry
The Survey Department of the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry for the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is responsible for national mapping, border demarcation, and regular updating and maintenance of maps. For more information go to http://www.myanmatimber.com.mm/.
About Imagemaps Pte. Ltd.
Imagemaps Pte. Ltd. is a leading sensor solutions provider in the Asia Pacific region with extensive experience in aerial sensing technologies and geospatial solutions. Its airborne sensor solutions include digital mapping cameras, lidar systems, inertial measurement and positional systems, digital photogrammetry and imaging technology, lidar data processing and workflow management of large multimedia spatial databases. Imagemaps is Microsoft’s master sales and support partner responsible for distribution of its aerial mapping products throughout the Asian Pacific, Australasian, and Indian regions. For more information, please go to www.imagemaps.com.or.
About Suntac Technologies Co., Ltd.
Suntac Technologies was established in 1999 and is based in Yangon, Myanmar. Its staff of experienced engineers and technicians are qualified in the fields of civil and mechanical engineering, surveying, aerial mapping, computer technology, remote sensing and geographic information system technology and geology. For more information, go to www.suntactechnologies.com or contact Mr. Ye Phone Hlaing, Managing Director, by telephone +95-1-652-245.
