Evaluating and comparing performances of topographic correction methods based on multi-source DEMs and Landsat-8 OLI data

Topographic correction is a crucial and challenging step in interpreting optical remote-sensing images of extremely complex terrain environments due to the lack of universally suitable correction algorithms and digital elevation models (DEMs) of adequate resolution and quality. The free availability of open source global DEMs provides an unprecedented opportunity to remove topographic effects associated with remote-sensing data in remote and rugged mountain terrains. This study evaluated the performances of seven topographic correction methods including C-correction (C), Cosine C-correction (CC), Minnaert correction (M), Sun–canopy–sensor (SCS) correction (S), SCS+C-correction (SC), Teillet regression correction (TR), and the Terrain illumination correction model (TI) based on multi-source DEMs (local topographic map, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DEM filled-finished A/B and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) global digital elevation model (GDEM) data sets) and Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) data using visual and statistical evaluation strategies. Overall, these investigated topographic correction methods removed topographic effects associated with Landsat-8 OLI data to varying degrees. However, the performances of these methods generally depend on the use of different DEMs and evaluation strategies. Among these correction methods, the SCS+C-correction performed best and was less sensitive to the use of different DEMs. The performances of topographic corrections based on free and open-access DEMs were generally better than or comparable to those based on local topographic maps. In particular, the topographic correction performance was greatly improved using the SRTM filled-finished B (FFB) data set with a resampling scheme based on the average value within a 3 × 3 pixel window. Nevertheless, further quantitative investigation is needed to determine the relative importance of DEMs and evaluation strategies used to select topographic correction methods.     

Estimating vertical error of SRTM and map-based DEMs using ICESat altimetry data in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) instrument onboard the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) provides elevation data with very high accuracy which can be used as ground data to evaluate the vertical accuracy of an existing Digital Elevation Model (DEM). In this article, we examine the differences between ICESat elevation data (from the 1064 nm channel) and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DEM of 3 arcsec resolution (90 m) and map-based DEMs in the Qinghai-Tibet (or Tibetan) Plateau, China. Both DEMs are linearly correlated with ICESat elevation for different land covers and the SRTM DEM shows a stronger correlation with ICESat elevations than the map-based DEM on all land-cover types. The statistics indicate that land cover, surface slope and roughness influence the vertical accuracy of the two DEMs. The standard deviation of the elevation differences between the two DEMs and the ICESat elevation gradually increases as the vegetation stands, terrain slope or surface roughness increase. The SRTM DEM consistently shows a smaller vertical error than the map-based DEM. The overall means and standard deviations of the elevation differences between ICESat and SRTM DEM and between ICESat and the map-based DEM over the study area are 1.03 ± 15.20 and 4.58 ± 26.01 m, respectively. Our results suggest that the SRTM DEM has a higher accuracy than the map-based DEM of the region. It is found that ICESat elevation increases when snow is falling and decreases during snow or glacier melting, while the SRTM DEM gives a relative stable elevation of the snow/land interface or a glacier elevation where the C-band can penetrate through or reach it. Therefore, this makes the SRTM DEM a promising dataset (baseline) for monitoring glacier volume change since 2000.     

低山丘陵区多源数字高程模型误差分析北大核心CSCD

作为多学科交叉与渗透产物的数字高程模型(DEM)已在诸多学科和领域及实际应用中发挥了重要作用,但目前能够免费获取的高分辨全球DEM在不同区域仍存在很大的不确定性,应用之前进行质量评估至关重要。以烟台市为实验区,以大比例尺地形图(1∶10 000)生成的DEM为参照,结合坡度、坡向和土地覆被类型等地学因子,定量分析了目前广泛应用的两个版本ASTER GDEM(先进星载热辐射和反射辐射计全球数字高程模型)ASTETR 1和ASTER 2及不同空间分辨率SRTM DEM(航天飞机雷达地形测绘任务)(SRTM 1:～30m和SRTM 3:～90m)在低山丘陵区高程、坡度及坡向误差。结果表明:在研究区域内,ASTER 1、ASTER 2、SRTM 3、SRTM 1总体高程均方根误差分别为8.7m、6.3m、3.7m和2.9m。ASTER与SRTM的高程精度不同程度地受坡度、坡向以及土地覆被类型等地学因子的影响,DEM误差随坡度增加而增大,其中SRTM 3精度对该因子最敏感。尽管坡向对DEM精度影响不明显(4种DEM在不同坡向上的均方根误差波动范围均不超过2m),但是不同土地覆被类型下这4种DEM精度差异显著。此外,分析4种DEM提取的坡度可知,SRTM 1的均方根坡度误差最低(2.5°)、ASTER 1与ASTER 2的坡度的均方根误差大致相同(3.6°、3.9°)、SRTM 3的坡度均方根误差最高(4.3°)。坡向的精度SRTM 1最高,ASTER 1与ASTER 2次之,SRTM 3最低。研究结果对我国低山丘陵区ASTER GDEM与SRTM DEM的应用与精度评估具有一定的借鉴作用。     

Evaluation of ASTER GDEM using GPS benchmarks and SRTM in China

The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) has generated one of the most complete high-resolution digital topographic data sets of the world to date. The ASTER GDEM covers land surfaces between 83° N and 83° S at a spatial resolution of 1 arc-second (approximately 30 m at the equator). As an improvement over Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) coverage, the ASTER GDEM will be a very useful product for many applications, such as relief analysis, hydrological studies, and radar interferometry. In this article, its absolute vertical accuracy in China was assessed at five study sites using ground control points (GCPs) from high-accuracy GPS benchmarks and also using a DEM-to-DEM comparison with the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research Consortium for Spatial Information (CGIAR-CSI) SRTM DEM Version 4.1. It is demonstrated that the vertical accuracy of ASTER GDEM is 26 m (root mean square error (RMSE)) against GPS-GCPs, while for the SRTM DEM it is 23 m. Furthermore, height differences in the GDEM-SRTM comparison appear to be overestimated in the areas with a south or southwest aspect in the five study areas. To a certain extent, the error can be attributed to variations in heights due to land-cover effects and undefined inland waterbodies. But the ASTER GDEM needs further error-mitigating improvements to meet the expected accuracy specification. However, as for its unprecedented detail, it is believed that the ASTER GDEM offers a major alternative in accessibility to high-quality elevation data.     

Accuracy assessment of the ASTER GDEM and SRTM3 DEM: an example in the Loess Plateau and North China Plain of China

The digital elevation model (DEM) produced by the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) has provided important fundamental data for topographic analysis in many fields. The recently released global digital elevation model (GDEM) produced by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) has higher spatial resolution and wider coverage than the SRTM3 DEM, and thus may be of more value to researchers. Taking two typical study areas—the Loess Plateau and the North China Plain of China—as an example, this article assesses the accuracy of the SRTM3 DEM and ASTER GDEM by collecting ground control points from topographical maps. It is found that both the SRTM3 DEM and the ASTER GDEM are far more accurate for the North China Plain than for the Loess Plateau. For the Loess Plateau, the accuracy of the ASTER GDEM is similar to that of the SRTM3 DEM; whereas for the North China Plain, it is much worse than that of the SRTM3 DEM. Considering the negative bias of the ASTER GDEM for flat or gentle regions, we improve its accuracy by adding the difference of the mean value between the SRTM3 DEM and ASTER GDEM for the North China Plain; then, the root mean square error (RMSE) of ±7.95 m from the original ASTER GDEM is improved to ±5.26 m, which demonstrates that it is a simple but useful way to improve the accuracy of the ASTER GDEM in flat or gentle regions.     

A mutual assessment of the uncertainties of digital elevation models using the triple collocation technique

This study investigates the uncertainties of digital elevation models (DEMs) using the triple collocation (TC) method. DEMs from satellite missions are important for many geoscience disciplines and for economic benefits and are freely available. Validating DEMs is necessary to select an appropriate model for a given region and application. Provided certain assumptions about the error structure of any three data sets – measuring the same phenomenon – can be made, the TC approach can be used to provide an unbiased and scaled estimate of the error variances of the data sets, without requiring a reference data. We compared the TC approach to the traditional approach of using a reference data set using the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission version 4.1 (SRTM v4.1) DEM, ASTER (the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) GDEM (Global DEM) version 2, the 1 arc-minute global relief model (ETOPO1), a DEM compiled by the Survey and Mapping Division of Ghana (SMD DEM), and 545 ground control stations (GCSs). The error estimates for the DEMs via TC were considerably smaller than those obtained from the reference-based approach. As an example, the best performing DEM (SRTM v4.1) recorded a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 15.601 m using the GCSs as reference, while its TC-derived accuracy was 6.517 m. We note that based on the results of the TC, the estimated error of the GCSs is approximately 14 m. Using a data set with an error of 14 m to validate other data sets is certainly bound to result in unfavorable results. Thus, we have demonstrated in this work that the TC approach is able to provide an unbiased error of DEMs. The approach is important even for regions where GCSs are highly accurate, but more so for regions with low-quality GCSs.     

SRTM DEM accuracy assessment over vegetated areas in Norway

Results from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) are presented. The SRTM C‐band and X‐band digital elevation models (DEMs) are evaluated with regard to elevation accuracies over agricultural fields, forest areas and man‐made features in Norway. High‐resolution digital maps and satellite images are used as background data. In general, many terrain details can be observed in the SRTM elevation datasets. The elevation accuracy (90% confidence level) of the two SRTM systems is estimated to less than 6.5 m for open agricultural fields and less than 11 m considering all land surface covers. This is better than specifications. Analysis of dense Norwegian forest stands shows that the SRTM system will produce elevation data that are as much as 15 m higher than the ground surface. The SRTM DEM products will therefore partly indicate canopy elevations in forested areas. We also show that SRTM data can be used to update older DEMs obtained from other sources, as well as estimating the volume of rock removed from large man‐made gravel pits.     

Evaluating Shuttle radar and interpolated DEMs for slope gradient and soil erosion estimation in low relief terrain

The error in slope gradient estimates provided by digital elevation models propagates to spatial modelling of erosion and other environmental attributes, potentially impacting land management priorities. This study compared the slope estimates of Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) DEMs with those generated by interpolation of topographic contours, at two grid cell resolutions. The magnitude and spatial patterns of error in DEM slope, and derived erosion estimates using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), were evaluated at three sites in eastern Australia. The sites have low-relief terrain and slope gradients less than 15%, characteristics which dominate the global land surface by area and are often highly utilised. Relative to a reference DEM resampled to the same resolution (a measure of DEM ‘quality’), the 90 m (3-s) SRTM DEM provided the best estimates of slopes, being within 20% for each 5% slope class outside alluvial floodplains where it over-predicted by up to 220%. Relative to a hillslope scale 10 m reference DEM, the 30 m (1-s) SRTM-derived DEM-S, provided slope gradient estimates slightly less biased towards under-prediction than the 90 m SRTM and significantly less biased on alluvial floodplains. In contrast, the 20 m vertical contour intervals underpinning the interpolated DEMs resulted in under-prediction of slope gradient by more than a factor of 5 over large contiguous areas (>1 km²). The 30 m DEM-S product provided the best estimate of hillslope erosion, being 3–4% better than the 90 m SRTM. The slope errors in the interpolated DEMs translated into generally poorer and less consistent erosion estimates than SRTM. From this study it is concluded that the SRTM DEM products, in particular the 30 m SRTM-derived DEM-S, provide estimates of slope gradient and erosion which are more accurate, and more consistent within and between low relief study sites, than interpolated DEMs.     

多源外部DEM对两轨DINSAR测量结果影响分析

在总结两轨差分中参考DEM影响的最新研究成果基础上,以青藏高原上典型平地和山地作为研究区,利用理论上没有形变的ERS Tandem像对以及3种常用外部参考DEM（SRTM,ASTER GDEM,1∶5万DEM）,使用ROI_PAC软件进行两轨差分干涉试验。实例证明：SRTM更适合作为两轨差分中的外部参考DEM,并对此试验结果予以解释分析,即多源DEM数据质量的差异导致干涉图与DEM配准精度的不同,并最终反映在差分干涉相位误差中。本文研究结论对提高DInSAR处理精度有参考价值。     

SRTM DEM enhancement using a single set of PolSAR data based on the polarimetry-clinometry model

ABSTRACT

The freely available global and near-global digital elevation models (DEMs) have shown great potential for various remote sensing applications. The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data sets provide the near-global DEM of the Earth’s surface obtained using the interferometry synthetic aperture radar (InSAR). Although free accessibility and generality are the advantages of these data sets, many applications require more detailed and accurate DEMs. In this paper, we proposed a modified and advanced polarimetry-clinometry algorithm for improving SRTM topography model which requires only one set of polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) data. The azimuth and range slope components estimation based on polarization orientation angle (POA) shifts and the intensity-based Lambertian model formed the bases of the proposed method. This method initially compensated for the polarimetry topography effect corresponding to SRTM using the DEM-derived POA. In the second step, using a modified algorithm, POA was obtained from the compensated PolSAR data. The POA shifts by the azimuth and range slopes’ variations based on the polarimetric model. In addition to the polarimetric model, a clinometry model based on the Lambertian scattering model related to the terrain slope was employed. Next, two unknown parameters, i.e. azimuth and range slope values, were estimated in a system of equations by two models from the compensated PolSAR data. Azimuth and range slopes of SRTM were enhanced by PolSAR-derived slopes. Finally, a weighted least-square grid adjustment (WLSG) method was proposed to integrate the enhanced slopes’ map and estimate enhanced heights. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA JPL) AIRSAR was utilized to illustrate the potential of the proposed method in SRTM enhancement. Also, the InSAR DEM was employed for evaluation experiments. Results showed that the accuracy of SRTM DEM is improved up to 2.91 m in comparison with InSAR DEM.     

Evaluation of TanDEM-X 90 m Digital Elevation Model

German Aerospace Center (DLR), EADS Astrium GmbH and Infoterra GmbH alliance came up with the idea of taking DTED-2 (Digital terrain elevation data, level-2) specifications to even higher standard of HRTE-3 (High resolution terrain elevation, level-3) in 2006, as a result TDX (TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X) constellation was born. The mission was geared to create a rather sensitive, high precision 3 dimensional map of the entire Earth in seamless and very high quality. After Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) in 2000 and its derivatives, along with numerous prior and subsequent other similar data, have practically set the standard for defining the topographical surfaces in global scale, the twin satellites acquired all of Earth’s land surfaces numerous times to produce varying resolution digital elevation models (DEM) between 2011 and late 2015. DEMs are widely used in many planning, decision making and engineering related projects. They provide sound backing for mankind’s endeavors. Ground resolution is the most sought after feature of any DEM. Finer resolution is usually associated with a better surface definition. Recently, an entirely new global DEM has been released DLR. The 90 m DEM is the latest variant derived from such an undertaking. This study aimed to examine the overall effectiveness of this alleged new data in four previously surveyed locations and against the performances of finer SRTM 1- and comparable SRTM 3 arc second data. The results showed that TanDEM-X 90 m data overestimated. They seemed to be rather accurate in flat to slightly undulating terrain, but overestimated in broken to treacherous terrain than both SRTMs. Root Mean Square Error was greater in site one and site four, and lower in site two and site three compared to both SRTM 1 and SRTM 3 arc second data.     

SRTM vs ASTER elevation products. Comparison for two regions in Crete,Greece

The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) collected elevation data over 80% of earth's land area during an 11‐day Space Shuttle mission. With a horizontal resolution of 3 arc sec, SRTM represents the best quality, freely available digital elevation models (DEMs) worldwide. Since the SRTM elevation data are unedited, they contain occasional voids, or gaps, where the terrain lay in the radar beam's shadow or in areas of extremely low radar backscatter, such as sea, dams, lakes and virtually any water‐covered surface. In contrast to the short duration of the SRTM mission, the ongoing Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is continuously collecting elevation information with a horizontal resolution of 15 m. In this paper we compared DEM products created from SRTM data with respective products created from ASTER stereo‐pairs. The study areas were located in Crete, Greece. Absolute DEMs produced photogrammetricaly from ASTER using differentially corrected GPS measurements provided the benchmark to infer vertical and planimetric accuracy of the 3 arc sec finished SRTM product. Spatial filters were used to detect and remove the voids, as well as to interpolate the missing values in DEMs. Comparison between SRTM‐ and ASTER‐derived DEMs allowed a qualitative assessment of the horizontal and vertical component of the error, while statistical measures were used to estimate their vertical accuracy. Elevation difference between SRTM and ASTER products was evaluated using the root mean square error (RMSE), which was found to be less than 50 m.     

SPOT5-HRS digital elevation models and the monitoring of glacier elevation changes in North-West Canada and South-East Alaska

Monitoring the response of land ice to climate change requires accurate and repeatable topographic surveys. The SPOT5-HRS (High Resolution Stereoscopic) instrument covers up to 120 km by 600 km in a single pass and has the potential to accurately map the poorly known topography of most glaciers and ice caps. The acquisition of a large HRS archive over ice-covered regions is planned by the French Space Agency (CNES) and Spotimage, France during the 2007–2008 International Polar Year (IPY). Here, we report on the accuracy and value of HRS digital elevation model (DEM) over ice and snow surfaces.

A DEM is generated by combining tools available from CNES with the PCI Orthoengine^SE software, using HRS images acquired in May 2004 over South-East Alaska (USA) and northern British Columbia (Canada). The DEM is evaluated through comparison with shuttle radar topographic mission (SRTM) DEM and ICESAT data, on and around the glaciers. A horizontal shift of 50 m is found between the HRS and SRTM DEMs and is attributed to errors in the SRTM DEM. Over ice-free areas, HRS elevations are 7 m higher than those of SRTM, with a standard deviation of ± 25 m for the difference between the two DEMs. The 7-m difference is partly attributed to the differential penetration of the electromagnetic waves (visible for HRS; microwave for SRTM) in snow and vegetation.

We also report on the application of sequential DEMs (SRTM DEM in February 2000 and HRS DEM in May 2004) for the monitoring of glacier elevation changes. We map the topographic changes induced by a surge of one tributary of Ferris Glacier. Maximum surface lowering of 42 (± 10) m and rising of 77 (± 10) m are observed in the 4 years time interval. Thinning rates up to 10 (± 2.5) m/yr are observed at low altitudes and confirm the ongoing wastage of glaciers in South-East Alaska.     

利用ERS-1/2串接雷达干涉建立高山地区数字高程模型的实验研究

以昆仑山局部地区为例,利用ERS-1/2串接雷达干涉有效建立了高山地区数字高程模型,并以美国宇航局SRTM高程数据为标准,选取高相干系数点,采用多项式拟合法对实验生成的数字高程模型进行校正,得到实验区较高精度的数字高程模型。最后以SRTM高程数据和美国地质调查局GTOPO30高程数据作为基准,对实验生成的数字高程模型的精度进行统计分析和评价,并分析了影响ERS-1/2干涉测量精度的主要因素。实验结果表明：采用ERS串接雷达干涉和基于多控制点的多项式拟合校正,可有效建立高山地区高精度的数字高程模型;在我国西部地区,建议采用ERS-1/2串接雷达干涉建立或更新数字高程模型。     

The impact of misregistration on SRTM and DEM image differences

Image differences between Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data and other Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are often performed for either accuracy assessment or for estimating vegetation height across the landscape. It has been widely assumed that the effect of sub-pixel misregistration between the two models on resultant image differences is negligible, yet this has not previously been tested in detail. The aim of this study was to determine the impact that various levels of misregistration have on image differences between SRTM and DEMs. First, very accurate image co-registration was performed at two study sites between higher resolution DEMs and SRTM data, and then image differences (SRTM–DEM) were performed after various levels of misregistration were systematically introduced into the SRTM data. It was found that: (1) misregistration caused an erroneous and dominant correlation between elevation difference and aspect across the landscape; (2) the direction of the misregistration defined the direction of this erroneous and systematic elevation difference; (3) for sub-pixel misregistration the error due solely to misregistration was greater than, or equal to the true difference between the two models for substantial proportions of the landscape (e.g., greater than 33% of the area for a half-pixel misregistration); and (4) the strength of the erroneous relationship with aspect was enhanced by steeper terrain. Spatial comparisons of DEMs were found to be sensitive to even sub-pixel misregistration between the two models, which resulted in a strong erroneous correlation with aspect. This misregistration induced correlation with aspect is not likely specific to SRTM data only; we expect it to be a generic relationship present in any DEM image difference analysis.     

Quality analysis of SRTM and HYDRO1K: a case study of flood inundation in Mozambique

Many countries still lack national digital elevation models (DEMs) and have to rely on global datasets, which can negatively influence the reliability of flood model results. Mozambique is considered the most risk prone country for floods in Southern Africa. In this study a quality and accuracy assessment of two global DEMs (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and HYDRO1K) is presented for a simple static flood inundation model of lower Limpopo Basin. This is accomplished with a local fit and vertical accuracy assessment of global datasets on a local scale as well as simulations of flood extent in the floodplain carried out by filling the DEMs with water according to the 2000 flood event. The results from the vertical accuracy assessment show that global DEMs can be used on a local scale. However, flood simulations performed on original DEMs contain inadequacies and are misleading with both under- and overestimation of the flooded area, while simulation performed on locally fitted DEMs shows a better agreement with the actual event. This study clearly shows that DEMs with questionable accuracy and resolution should be used with great caution in flood inundation modelling because they could result in deceptive model predictions, and lead to devastating after-effects in risk prone areas.     

Validation of surface height from shuttle radar topography mission using shuttle laser altimeter

Spaceborne Interferometric SAR (InSAR) technology used in the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and spaceborne lidar such as Shuttle Laser Altimeter-02 (SLA-02) are two promising technologies for providing global scale digital elevation models (DEMs). Each type of these systems has limitations that affect the accuracy or extent of coverage. These systems are complementary in developing DEM data. In this study, surface height measured independently by SRTM and SLA-02 was cross-validated. SLA data was first verified by field observations, and examinations of individual lidar waveforms. The geolocation accuracy of the SLA height data sets was examined by checking the correlation between the SLA surface height with SRTM height at 90 m resolution, while shifting the SLA ground track within its specified horizontal errors. It was found that the heights from the two instruments were highly correlated along the SLA ground track, and shifting the positions did not improve the correlation significantly. Absolute surface heights from SRTM and SLA referenced to the same horizontal and vertical datum (World Geodetic System (WGS) 84 Ellipsoid) were compared. The effects of forest cover and surface slope on the height difference were also examined. After removing the forest effect on SRTM height, the mean height difference with SLA-02 was near zero. It can be further inferred from the standard deviation of the height differences that the absolute accuracy of SRTM height at low vegetation area is better than the SRTM mission specifications (16 m). The SRTM height bias caused by forest cover needs to be further examined using future spaceborne lidar (e.g. GLAS) data.     

SRTM 3″ DEM (versions 1, 2, 3, 4) validation by means of extensive kinematic GPS measurements: a case study from North Greece

In 2000, the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) provided for the first time a global high-quality digital elevation model (DEM) at resolution levels of one and three arcseconds, using single-pass synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry. In January and February 2008, an extensive four-day kinematic global positioning system (GPS) (KGPS) campaign was carried out in the vicinity of the city of Thessaloniki (North Greece), during which more than 60 000 points were collected, providing an unprecedented density of measurements in the order of 20 points km^?2. The purpose of the present study was to assess the vertical accuracy of the four versions of SRTM 3″ DEMs that are currently available over the Internet for public use, on the basis of the KGPS data collected.     

Chinese satellite photogrammetry without ground control points based on a public DEM using an efficient and robust DEM matching method

Photogrammetry based on high-resolution satellite image can acquire geospatial information within a large area rapidly and timely, but its geopositioning accuracy is highly dependent on ground control points. Under the background of global mapping, a public digital elevation model (DEM) assisted Chinese satellite image geopositioning scheme was proposed to realize satellite photogrammetry without ground control points. To make full use of public DEM advantages of consistent and high accuracy, public DEM was regarded as reference data and matched with the DEM extracted from image, and then the determined transformation parameters were applied to correct direct georeferencing results in object space. A fast least Z-difference method combined with least trimmed squares estimator was proposed to achieve DEM matching, which can not only automatically select corresponding point determination model, but also self-adaptively detect and eliminate difference between DEMs. Multi-groups of comparative experiments using Mapping Satellite-1 and ZiYuan-3 surveying satellite images were designed. Experimental results show that the DEM assisted geopositioning scheme exploits advantages of reference DEM, which can greatly improve the accuracy of photogrammetry without ground control points to a relatively high level. The geopositioning accuracy of image is largely determined by, but not confined to, the accuracy of reference DEM, but it is slightly affected by the resolution of reference DEM. If target DEM resolution is relatively high, the geopositioning accuracy of a single image assisted by Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DEM can satisfy the accuracy requirements of 1:50,000 scale mapping perfectly. This scheme also has good robustness and high computational efficiency.     

基于无人机影像的山地人工林景观DEM构建

山地人工林景观的DEM构建是对景观地形信息进行描述的基础的研究内容,也是人工林景观面积、结构、蓄积量等信息提取的重要因子,具有重要的研究意义。通过无人机平台获取影像,采用立体像对拼接的方式生成正射影像并提取DEM信息,并与GPS测量数据、ASTER GDEM、SRTM数据进行比较分析。结果表明:在该区域无人机影像构建的DEM与实测高程差距最小(RMSE=8.96),具有比ASTER GDEM(RMSE=13.68)和SRTM(RMSE=11.81)更高的精度;在每个样方内的最大高程差值与最大树高最为接近(RMSE=1.813),说明无人机DEM能够反映出更多的冠层与地面分层信息,在山地人工林景观DEM构建中表现出较大潜力。