UltraCam Merlin webinar
UltraMap 6.2: True Pixel Processing (TPP) enhancements
17 January 2024
With the release of UltraMap 6.2, True Pixel Processing (TPP) is now available for all UltraCam systems of the 4th generation. In addition to the Eagle, which is based on panchromatic sensors, support has been extended to Bayer pattern-based systems, including the Osprey, Condor, and Merlin models. This update enables these cameras to utilize TPP’s advanced de-Bayering techniques, further significantly enhancing their already high image quality. Moreover, UltraMap 6.2 brings notable improvements to TPP’s image noise treatment capabilities. The latest version more effectively reduces various types of image noise, yielding cleaner and sharper final images.
See the difference TPP's latest advancements can make in your work!
With the release of UltraMap 6.2, True Pixel Processing (TPP) is now available for all UltraCam systems of the 4th generation. In addition to the Eagle, which is based on panchromatic sensors, support has been extended to Bayer pattern-based systems, including the Osprey, Condor, and Merlin models. This update enables these cameras to utilize TPP’s advanced de-Bayering techniques, further significantly enhancing their already high image quality. Moreover, UltraMap 6.2 brings notable improvements to TPP’s image noise treatment capabilities. The latest version more effectively reduces various types of image noise, yielding cleaner and sharper final images.
See the difference TPP's latest advancements can make in your work!
TPP, our approach for preserving all pixel information from initial exposure to final data products, reduces noise in bright and shaded areas while retaining fine details for maximum information retention. The resulting image accurately represents the captured scene with high dynamics, sharpness, and clarity.
TPP empowers our customers to achieve outstanding results swiftly and with minimal manual intervention. It also provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing for the further customization of data to precisely meet end-user requirements. Whether the objective is to craft an image with stunning visual appeal, characterized by acute sharpness and high contrast, or to create a balanced and clean exposure with well-lit shadows, TPP serves as the perfect foundation to address individual preferences effectively.
How TPP transforms imaging
The main part of TPP precisely and holistically models the relative path and intensity of light rays that pass through the camera’s optical system, considering factors such as motion blur, lens blur, and shutter behavior.
TPP addresses the following improvements:
- It offers better noise performance in shady and bright areas, while preserving fine details.
- It enhances image sharpness.
- It reduces zipper/aliasing artifacts in Bayer pattern sensors.
- It reduces high-frequency moiré artifacts in Bayer pattern sensors.
- It improves correction of defective pixels.
The following images were captured with an UltraCam Osprey 4.1, at 5 cm GSD in Graz, Austria. They have been processed both with and without TPP.
Noise performance on homogenous surfaces as well as shaded areas improve with TPP.
Particularly on corrugated metal roofs or generally on roofs with repetitive patterns, moire artifacts can occur. With the use of TPP, these artifacts can be significantly minimized.
Zipper or aliasing artifacts are visual distortions that occur particularly when representing high-contrast or fine patterns. With TPP, these artifacts are signifcantly reduced.
This image shows a section of a finely patterned roof. Notice how the edges of the letters without TPP processing appear jagged and stair-stepped, rather than straight.
The TPP difference: Clarity, sharpness, and flexibility
TPP, our approach for preserving all pixel information from initial exposure to final data products, reduces noise in bright and shaded areas while retaining fine details for maximum information retention. The resulting image accurately represents the captured scene with high dynamics, sharpness, and clarity.
TPP empowers our customers to achieve outstanding results swiftly and with minimal manual intervention. It also provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing for the further customization of data to precisely meet end-user requirements. Whether the objective is to craft an image with stunning visual appeal, characterized by acute sharpness and high contrast, or to create a balanced and clean exposure with well-lit shadows, TPP serves as the perfect foundation to address individual preferences effectively.
How TPP transforms imaging
The main part of TPP precisely and holistically models the relative path and intensity of light rays that pass through the camera’s optical system, considering factors such as motion blur, lens blur, and shutter behavior.
TPP addresses the following improvements:
- It offers better noise performance in shady and bright areas, while preserving fine details.
- It enhances image sharpness.
- It reduces zipper/aliasing artifacts in Bayer pattern sensors.
- It reduces high-frequency moiré artifacts in Bayer pattern sensors.
- It improves correction of defective pixels.
The following images were captured with an UltraCam Osprey 4.1, at 5 cm GSD in Graz, Austria. They have been processed both with and without TPP.
Noise performance on homogenous surfaces as well as shaded areas improve with TPP.
Particularly on corrugated metal roofs or generally on roofs with repetitive patterns, moire artifacts can occur. With the use of TPP, these artifacts can be significantly minimized.
Zipper or aliasing artifacts are visual distortions that occur particularly when representing high-contrast or fine patterns. With TPP, these artifacts are signifcantly reduced.
This image shows a section of a finely patterned roof. Notice how the edges of the letters without TPP processing appear jagged and stair-stepped, rather than straight.
Maximizing CPU efficiency
With TPP, the complexity of the algorithms increases, leading to higher computational demands. To compensate, TPP employs advanced memory management techniques to fully utilize the CPU's potential and enhance scalability. While TPP optimizes processing across all systems, users with newer hardware will experience the most benefits of these new techniques. As a core component of UltraCam data processing, TPP is a standard feature, not just an optional enhancement. It is consistently and automatically integrated into the UltraMap workflow for processing 4th generation UltraCam systems. This ensures that every data set processed benefits from the clarity and precision TPP offers, without requiring manual activation or intervention.
Today, the latest airborne systems on the market universally adopt the same CMOS sensors, leading to a uniformity in shared challenges across the board. Driven by our commitment to delivering industry-leading image quality, we are inspired to push the boundaries in every aspect of our technology. From the development of custom lenses to the implementation of advanced software strategies, we strive to leverage every possible factor to its fullest potential. Our goal is to deliver the highest possible image quality to our customers, ensuring that they benefit from the pinnacle of our technological advancements.
Maximizing CPU efficiency
With TPP, the complexity of the algorithms increases, leading to higher computational demands. To compensate, TPP employs advanced memory management techniques to fully utilize the CPU's potential and enhance scalability. While TPP optimizes processing across all systems, users with newer hardware will experience the most benefits of these new techniques. As a core component of UltraCam data processing, TPP is a standard feature, not just an optional enhancement. It is consistently and automatically integrated into the UltraMap workflow for processing 4th generation UltraCam systems. This ensures that every data set processed benefits from the clarity and precision TPP offers, without requiring manual activation or intervention.
Today, the latest airborne systems on the market universally adopt the same CMOS sensors, leading to a uniformity in shared challenges across the board. Driven by our commitment to delivering industry-leading image quality, we are inspired to push the boundaries in every aspect of our technology. From the development of custom lenses to the implementation of advanced software strategies, we strive to leverage every possible factor to its fullest potential. Our goal is to deliver the highest possible image quality to our customers, ensuring that they benefit from the pinnacle of our technological advancements.
For Bayer pattern sensors, the accuracy of the demosaicing algorithm and its dependence on Adaptive Motion Compensation (AMC) are crucial factors that affect image quality. TPP addresses this issue directly.
For Bayer pattern sensors, the accuracy of the demosaicing algorithm and its dependence on Adaptive Motion Compensation (AMC) are crucial factors that affect image quality. TPP addresses this issue directly.
Do you want to learn more about Adaptive Motion Compensation (AMC)?
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