A new trapezoidal-mesh based data model for spatial operations

This paper presents a new spatial data model based on trapezoidal-mesh for implementing spatial operations within geographical information systems (GIS). Based only on the solid foundation of spatial operations, diversified application models can be established to bridge the gap between Digital Earth models and the real world with its real-world problems ('connecting through location'). In this paper, the involved polygon features are decomposed into a series of trapezoidal-meshes. Then, geo-processing operations are employed on these meshes rather than the original polygon features, resulting in a relatively simple spatial computation. As a kind of model designed by integrating raster with vector, the model presented here has advantages over other models when carrying out spatial operations insofar as providing a solid foundation for achieving the grand goal of Digital Earth. The concept of this data model and the two extensive examples of its application in spatial operations are elaborated upon in this article. As a result, this article and the research that supports it, proves that the adoption of the trapezoidal-mesh model greatly improves the efficiency of spatial operations in GIS.