Coordinate Transformation Package
Contact Persons
Arnold Barmettler |
Keywords
Coordinate transformations, cartography, geodesy
Quick Reference
There exists a large number of different cartographic projections and geodetic reference systems. Each country uses its own specific combination of map projection, ellipsoid, and geodetic datum shift. When dealing with spatial data sets over large areas (e.g. satellite imagery), and combining them with information contained in existing maps, the necessity of transforming all relevant data into one common map projection is obvious.
Consequently, RSL has been collecting cartographic and geodetic parameters, and has implemented map projection formulae and datum shift transformations, in order to be able to transform coordinates from any reference system into any other one. Recent updates comprise the integration of ETRS89 datum shift parameters into the database and the ability to define "datum shift zones" in addition to the cartographic or projection zone within one single country.
A redesign of the transformation software, in response to higher accuracy requirements due to sensor resolutions on submeter level on the one hand and the increasing usage of dynamic global coordinate reference systems on the other hand, will be a task for the near future.
Timeframe
Implementation of coordinate transformation software at our institute goes back to 1986. Since then, maintenance and updates to the parameter data base as well as support of ever more map projections has been an ongoing task.
Some Results
The major results of our activities are:
- a software library for transforming coordinates from one system into any other;
- a data base containing all relevant cartographic and geodetic parameters of many countries, ellipsoids, and datum shifts.
Partnerships
All major elements of this project (software development, data base implementation and permanent update) were sponsored by, and have been carried out in cooperation with, the German Space Research Centre (DLR).
Publications
GRAF K.CH., [1988]:
Verwendung geodätischer Abbildungen bei der Geocodierung von Satelliten-Bildern.
Remote Sensing Series, Vol. 13, University of Zürich, 99 pp.