Least squares fitting of ellipsoid using orthogonal distances

Abstract

In this paper, we present techniques for ellipsoid fitting which are based on minimizing the sum of the squares of the geometric distances between the data and the ellipsoid. The literature often uses “orthogonal fitting” in place of “geometric fitting” or “best-fit”. For many different purposes, the best-fit ellipsoid fitting to a set of points is required. The problem of fitting ellipsoid is encountered frequently in theimage processing, face recognition, computer games, geodesy etc. Today, increasing GPS and satellite measurements precision will allow usto determine amore realistic Earth ellipsoid. Several studies have shown that the Earth, other planets, natural satellites, asteroids and comets can be modeled as triaxial ellipsoids Burša and Šima (1980), Iz et al (2011). Determining the reference ellipsoid for the Earth is an important ellipsoid fitting application, because all geodetic calculations are performed on the reference ellipsoid. Algebraic fitting methods solve the linear least squares (LS) problem, and are relatively straightforward and fast. Fitting orthogonal ellipsoid is a difficult issue. Usually, it is impossible to reach a solution with classic LS algorithms. Because they are often faced with the problem of convergence. Therefore, it is necessary to use special algorithms e.g. nonlinear least square algorithms. We propose to use geometric fitting as opposed to algebraic fitting. This is computationally more intensive, but it provides scope for placing visually apparent constraints on ellipsoid parameter estimation and is free from curvature bias Ray and Srivastava (2008).