Accuracy Assessment of Digital Elevation Model Generated by SAR Stereoscopic Technique Using COSMO-Skymed Data

Radargrammetry technique using the stereoscopic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is used for the generation of a digital elevation model (DEM) of a region requires only the amplitude images. SAR stereoscopic technique is analogous to the stereo-photogrammetric technique where the optical stereoscopic images are used for DEM generation. While the advantages of the SAR images are their indifference to atmospheric transparency and solar illumination conditions, the side-looking geometry of the SAR increases the complexity in the SAR stereo analysis. The availability of high spatial and temporal resolution SAR data in recent years has facilitated generation of high-resolution DEM with greater vertical accuracy using radargrammetric technique. In the present study, attempt has been made to generate the DEM of Dehra Dun region, India, from the COSMO-Skymed X-band SAR data-pair acquired at 8 days interval through the radargrammetry technique. Here, radargrammetric orientation approach has been adopted to generate the DEM and various issues and processing steps with the radargrammetry technique have been discussed. The DEM was validated with ground measured elevation values using a differential global positioning system and the root-mean-square error of the DEM was found as 7.3 m. The DEM was compared with the reference DEM of the study area generated from the Cartosat-1 stereo data with a model accuracy of 4 m.     

ENVISAT/ASAR多角度干涉雷达数据山区DEM生成及精度分析

在地形起伏较大的山区用干涉SAR生成DEM时,合适的入射角是获取高精度DEM的重要参数之一.本文基于ENVISAT/ASAR多角度干涉雷达数据,SRTM 90米分辨率的DEM以及1:5万的数字化DEM数据,从定性和定量的角度比较和分析了干涉SAR在获取山区DEM时,入射角对DEM精度的具体影响.结果表明:对于ASAR的多入射角干涉雷达数据,在不同入射角条件下由于雷达叠掩和透视收缩的影响,获取的DEM精度差别很大,入射角带来的影响相当显著,比如IS2和IS4角度得到的DEM的精度差超过了6米.因此,在山区干涉SAR地形成图时,必须对入射角的大小进行严格的选择.     

Urban DEM generation,analysis and enhancements using TanDEM-X

This paper analyzes the potential of the TanDEM-X mission for the generation of urban Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). The high resolution of the sensors and the absence of temporal decorrelation are exploited. The interferometric chain and the problems encountered for correct mapping of urban areas are analyzed first. The operational Integrated TanDEM-X Processor (ITP) algorithms are taken as reference. The ITP main product is called the raw DEM. Whereas the ITP coregistration stage is demonstrated to be robust enough, large improvements in the raw DEM such as fewer percentages of phase unwrapping errors, can be obtained by using adaptive fringe filters instead of the conventional ones in the interferogram generation stage. The shape of the raw DEM in the layover area is also shown and determined to be regular for buildings with vertical walls. Generally, in the presence of layover, the raw DEM exhibits a height ramp, resulting in a height underestimation for the affected structure. Examples provided confirm the theoretical background. The focus is centered on high resolution DEMs produced using spotlight acquisitions. In particular, a raw DEM over Berlin (Germany) with a 2.5 m raster is generated and validated. For this purpose, ITP is modified in its interferogram generation stage by adopting the Intensity Driven Adaptive Neighbourhood (IDAN) algorithm. The height Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) between the raw DEM and a reference is about 8 m for the two classes defining the urban DEM: structures and non-structures. The result can be further improved for the structure class using a DEM generated with Persistent Scatterer Interferometry. A DEM fusion is thus proposed and a drop of about 20% in the RMSE is reported.     

Fusion of high-resolution DEMs derived from COSMO-SkyMed and TerraSAR-X InSAR datasets

Voids caused by shadow, layover, and decorrelation usually occur in digital elevation models (DEMs) of mountainous areas that are derived from interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) datasets. The presence of voids degrades the quality and usability of the DEMs. Thus, void removal is considered as an integral part of the DEM production using InSAR data. The fusion of multiple DEMs has been widely recognized as a promising way for the void removal. Because the vertical accuracy of multiple DEMs can be different, the selection of optimum weights becomes a key problem in the fusion and is studied in this article. As a showcase, two high-resolution InSAR DEMs near Mt. Qilian in northwest China are created and then merged. The two pairs of InSAR data were acquired by TerraSAR-X from an ascending orbit and COSMO-SkyMed from a descending orbit. A maximum likelihood fusion scheme with the weights optimally determined by the height of ambiguity and the variance of phase noise is adopted to syncretize the two DEMs in our study. The fused DEM has a fine spatial resolution of 10 m and depicts the landform of the study area well. The percentage of void cells in the fused DEM is only 0.13 %, while 6.9 and 5.7 % of the cells in the COSMO-SkyMed DEM and the TerraSAR-X DEM are originally voids. Using the ICESat/GLAS elevation data and the Chinese national DEM of scale 1:50,000 as references, we evaluate vertical accuracy levels of the fused DEM as well as the original InSAR DEMs. The results show that substantial improvements could be achieved by DEM fusion after atmospheric phase screen removal. The quality of fused DEM can even meet the high-resolution terrain information (HRTI) standard.     

Validation of Indian National DEM from Cartosat-1 Data

CartoDEM is an Indian National DEM generated from Cartosat-1 stereo data. Cartosat-1, launched in May, 2005, is an along track (aft ?5°, Fore +26°) stereo with 2.5 m GSD, give base-height ratio of 0.63 with 27 km swath. The operational procedure of DEM generation comprises stereo strip triangulation of 500?×?27 km segment with 10 m posting along with 2.5 m resolution ortho image and free—access posting of 30 m has been made available (bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in). A multi approach evaluation of CartoDEM comprising (a) absolute accuracy with respect to ground control points for two sites namely Jagatsinghpur -flat and Dharamshala- hilly; second site i.e. Alwar-plain and hilly with high resolution aerial DEM, (b) relative difference between SRTM and ASTERDEM (c) absolute accuracy with ICESat GLAS for two sites namely Jagatsinghpur-plain and Netravathi river, Western Ghats-hilly (d) relative comparison of drainage delineation with respect to ASTERDEM is reported here. The absolute height accuracy in flat terrain was 4.7 m with horizontal accuracy of 7.3 m, while in hilly terrain it was 7 m height with a horizontal accuracy of 14 m. While comparison with ICESat GLAS data absolute height difference of plain and hilly was 5.2 m and 7.9 m respectively. When compared to SRTM over Indian landmass, 90 % of pixels reported were within ±8 m difference. The drainage delineation shows better accuracy and clear demarcation of catchment ridgeline and more reliable flow-path prediction in comparison with ASTER. The results qualify Indian DEM for using it operationally which is equivalent and better than the other publicly available DEMs like SRTM and ASTERDEM.     

Topographic correction of ALOS-PALSAR images using InSAR-derived DEM

Topographic corrections of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images over hilly regions are vital for retrieval of correct backscatter values associated with natural targets. The coarse resolution external digital elevation models (DEM) available for topographic corrections of high resolution SAR images often result into degradation of spatial resolution or improper estimation of backscatter values in SAR images. Also, many a times the external DEMs do not spatially co-register well with the SAR data. The present study showcases the methodology and results of topographic correction of ALOS-PALSAR image using high resolution DEM generated from the same data. High resolution DEMs of Jaipur region, India were generated using multiple pair SAR images acquired from ALOS-PALSAR using interferometric (InSAR) techniques. The DEMs were validated using differential global positioning system measured elevation values as ground control points and were compared with photogrammetric DEM (advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer – ASTER) and SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) DEM. It was observed that ALOS-PALSAR images with optimum baseline parameters produced high resolution DEM with better height accuracy. Finally, the validated DEM was used for topographic correction of ALOS-PALSAR images of the same region and were found to produce better result as compared with ASTER and SRTM-DEM.     

CryoSat-2 SARIn数据干涉处理及DEM获取

CryoSat-2搭载的合成孔径/干涉雷达高度计能够精确地探测海洋与大陆冰面高程变化,其合成孔径干涉模式（synthetic aperture interferometric mode,SARIn）提供的干涉数据可以利用传统差分干涉测量技术反演地面的高程信息,但在欧洲空间局公布的SARIn二级产品没有充分地利用这一信息。介绍了SARIn模式工作原理,并结合传统干涉测量技术,提出利用SARIn一级（level 1b,L1b）数据进行数字高程模型提取的算法和流程。通过数据质量检查,剔除数据中的错误信息;通过信号强度和相干性选择合适的解缠起点,实现干涉数据的逐行解缠;计算出卫星视角,结合卫星姿态、速度、位置和视线向距离等信息计算地面点的三维信息,最终插值生成SARIn DEM（digital elevation model）。利用该算法对2012年1月~4月的SARIn L1b数据进行干涉处理,获得了南极Lambert冰川流域局部地区的数字高程模型。通过对比ICESat DEM和RMAP DEM,表明SARIn DEM具有较高的精度,能够满足南北极等地区的高程变化研究。     

车载双天线干涉SAR DEM提取方法

相对于星载和机载SAR而言,使用车载SAR数据提取DEM可有效缩短DEM数据更新周期,降低成本。由于车载SAR平台结构可变,干涉定标需要重复进行,本文提出了基于单控制点的车载双天线干涉SAR的DEM提取方法。该方法基于单个控制点的精确坐标信息进行相位、斜距和高程改正,并实现高程的迭代求解,无需布设大量控制点进行干涉定标,有效简化外业工作。仿真试验证明：当基线长度估计达到毫米级精度,基线倾角估计也达到较高的精度时,可保证该方法较高的DEM提取精度。利用2018年在湖北武汉地区获取的车载双天线干涉SAR数据使用该方法和基于干涉定标的多控制点方法进行DEM提取对比试验,结果表明该方法在检查点的高程中误差为0.301 8 m,多控制点方法为0.258 4 m,在高相干区域,两种方法的DEM结果具有高度的统一性。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">3D</Emphasis> Modelling of Urban Area Using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a newly-developed remote sensing technology that works in all weather and independent of daylight. Recent satellite designs such as TerraSAR-x, which have resolutions of a couple of meters and sub-meters, have provided appropriate data for modelling and monitoring of urban areas. Image classification and height information extraction is possible considering the nature of SAR data. In this paper, a proper classification method for high-resolution SAR images has been used in urban areas. This classifier is based on statistical models. First, statistical models that are well adapted to urban SAR images are selected. Initial labelling is performed using the maximum likelihood method. A method based on Markov random fields is applied to improve the results by considering neighbourhood information. Meanwhile, topographic information is extracted using the phase difference obtained from SAR interferometry. After classification and height extraction, the homogeneous regions consisting of locations with similar objects are determined. The homogeneous region adjacency graph are generated using vectors containing classification information, extracted objects, height of pixels forming each region, and information on the neighbouring areas. Height and classification information are then merged by assigning height conditions based on the nature of objects and optimizing an energy function. The results obtained, including buildings, streets, and corner reflectors, are easily recognizable. The overall accuracy is improved from 57% in the initial classification to 95% in the employed procedure. Moreover, the accuracy of height estimation is about 2.74 m, which is acceptable for height estimations of buildings with more than one floor.     

InSAR生成DEM中WRF大气校正

利用星载重复轨道合成孔径雷达干涉测量InSAR技术获取数字高程模型(DEM),无法避免大气延迟效应的影响。InSAR大气校正的方法很多,但在DEM获取方面的大气校正研究却非常少见。本文研究星载重轨InSAR生产DEM时利用大气数值模式WRF(Weather Research and Forecasting model)得到的水汽结果进行大气校正的问题,重点讨论大气校正的策略,包括WRF模式设置和大气校正时机的选择,简要介绍了基于WRF运算结果的大气校正方法。利用Terra SAR-X数据进行实验,检验了所提出方法的有效性,证明了在干涉相位解缠前进行大气校正,比在相位解缠后进行的效果更好。将所提出方法应用于多基线、多波段InSAR干涉结果融合中,实验结果表明大气校正能够有效降低误差,对于相干性较高的地区效果更好。     

Study of dems derived from ERS-1/2 SAR and SRTM data

The DEM of the Bhuj earthquake affected area of 50 x 50 km was generated using the ERS-1/2 SAR tandem data (May 15—16,1996). Region growing algorithm coupled with path following approach was used for phase unwrapping. Phase to height conversion was done using D-GPS control points. Geocoding was done using GAMMA software. A sample data of DEM of Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) of the Bhuj area is made available by DLR Germany. The intensity image, DEM and Error map are well registered. The spatial resolution of this DEM is about 25 m with height accuracy of a few meters. The DEM derived through ERS SAR data is prone to atmospheric affects as the required two images are acquired in different timings where as SRTM acquired the two images simultaneously. An RMS height error of 12.06 m is observed with reference to SRTM though some of the individual locations differ by as much as 35 m.     

高分辨率雷达卫星COSMO-SkyMed干涉测量生成DEM的实验研究

介绍了COSMO-SkyMed对地观测系统,分析了高分辨率SAR传感器和Tandem观测星座与相干性之间的关系,并利用间隔1 d的COSMO-SkyMed Tandem数据生成了祁连山区的DEM。提出通过对无地形变化的差分干涉相位进行滤波来提取大气和轨道误差引起的测量偏差,探讨了实验干涉数据去相干的因素,并将生成的DEM与ASTER GDEM进行了对比。     

Building characterization using L-band polarimetric interferometric SAR data

This letter proposes a building characterization technique for L-band polarimetric interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. This characterization consists of building identification and height estimation. Initially, a polarimetric interferometric segmentation is performed to isolate buildings from their surroundings. This classification identifies three basic categories: single bounce, double bounce, and volume diffusion. In order to compensate for the misclassifications among the volume and the double-bounce classes, interferometric phases given by the high-resolution Estimation of Signal Parameters via Rotational Invariance Techniques (ESPRIT) method are analyzed. Once buildings are localized, a phase-to-height procedure is applied to retrieve building height information. The method is validated using E-SAR, German Aerospace Center (DLR) fully polarimetric SAR data, at L-band, repeat-pass mode, over the Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, test site, with a spatial resolution of 1.5 m in range and azimuth. More than 80% of buildings are retrieved with acceptably accurate height estimates.     

一种基于高分辨率雷达影像以及外部DEM辅助的复杂地形制图方法

为满足在坡度陡、高差大的复杂地形地区高精度DEM制图的需要,在传统的雷达干涉测量技术的基础上,通过引入外部DEM,建立外部DEM模拟相位和干涉解缠相位的对应关系,构建多维线性模型,进行线性回归分析,去除误差相位趋势;同时根据引入的外部DEM估计高程的误差范围,进行高程点的滤波,达到精化DEM的目的,形成最终的DEM产品。该方法已经应用于高分辨雷达影像（COSMO数据）在云南德钦地区DEM地形图的制作,通过GPS数据的验证,其精度达到了国家1∶50 000 DEM制图要求。     

基于SAR干涉点目标分析技术的城市地表形变监测

通过深入研究干涉点目标的相位模型,提出基于空间搜索的邻近点目标干涉相位差解缠方法,用以计算点目标的地形残差和线性形变,以及分离点目标大气延迟相位和非线性形变相位的时空域滤波方法,解决干涉点目标分析中的关键问题.最后,以苏州地区地表沉降监测为应用试验,利用形成的SAR干涉点目标形变信息提取技术,获取苏州市区1992-2002年间的地表沉降信息.研究结果与已有文献记录保持比较好的一致性,证明SAR干涉点目标技术完全可以发展成为应用于城市地表形变监测的实用化技术.

Abstract：

Interferometric point target analysis (IPTA) is one of the latest developments in radar interferometric processing. It is achieved by analysis of the interferometric phases of some individual point targets, which are discrete and present temporarily stable backscattering characteristics, in long temporal series of interferometric SAR images. This paper analyzes the interferometric phase model of point targets, and then addresses two key issues within IPTA process. Firstly, a spatial searching method is proposed to unwrap the interferometric phase difference between two neighboring point targets. The height residual error and linear deformation rate of each point target can then be calculated, when a global reference point with known height correction and deformation history is chosen. Secondly, a spatial-temporal filtering scheme is proposed to further separate the atmosphere phase and nonlinear deformation phase from the residual interferometric phase. Finally, an experiment of the developed IPTA methodology is conducted over Suzhou urban area. Totally 38 ERS-1/2 SAR scenes are analyzed, and the deformation information over 3 546 point targets in the time span of 1992-2002 are generated. The IPTA-derivecl deformation shows very good agreement with the published result, which demonstrates that the IPTA technique can be developed into an operational tool to map the ground subsidence over urban area.     

DEM Generation Combining SAR Polarimetry and Shape-From-Shading Techniques

Estimation of the polarization orientation angle shifts induced by terrain azimuth slope variations is a recently developed application in radar polarimetry. In general, without any prior knowledge on the terrain, two polarimetric SAR (POLSAR) flight passes are required to derive terrain slopes in perpendicular directions for digital elevation model (DEM) generation. Moreover, we note that SAR intensity is a strong indicator of the range component of the terrain slopes. In this letter, we developed a method for DEM generation requiring only one POLSAR flight pass, by combining orientation angle estimation and a shape-from-shading technique. In particular, when limited POLSAR data are available, this POLSAR technique provides an alternative way for DEM generation. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA/JPL) AIRSAR L-band POLSAR data over Camp Roberts, California, is used to demonstrate the results of the method proposed in this letter, and a DEM derived from simultaneously measured C-band interferometric SAR from NASA/JPL topographic SAR instrument is selected as the comparative ground truth to validate the effectiveness of this single POLSAR method. Analyses and discussions are also included in this letter.     

Surface roughness signatures of summer arctic snow-covered sea ice in X-band dual-polarimetric SAR

ABSTRACT

Surface roughness of sea ice is primary information for understanding sea ice dynamics and air–ice–ocean interactions. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a powerful tool for investigating sea ice surface roughness owing to the high sensitivity of its signal to surface structures. In this study, we explored the surface roughness signatures of the summer Arctic snow-covered first-year sea ice in X-band dual-polarimetric SAR in terms of the root mean square (RMS) height. Two ice campaigns were conducted for the first-year sea ice with dry snow cover in the marginal ice zone of the Chukchi Sea in August 2017 and August 2018, from which high-resolution (4 cm) digital surface models (DSMs) of the sea ice were derived with the help of a terrestrial laser scanner to obtain the in situ RMS height. X-band dual-polarimetric (HH and VV) SAR data (3 m spatial resolution) were obtained for the 2017 campaign, at a high incidence angle (49.5°) of TerraSAR-X, and for the 2018 campaign, at a mid-incidence angle (36.1°) of TanDEM-X 1–2 days after the acquisition of the DSMs. The sea ice drifted during the time between the SAR and DSM acquisitions. As it is difficult to directly co-register the DSM to SAR owing to the difference in spatial resolution, the two datasets were geometrically matched using unmanned aerial vehicle (4 cm resolution) and helicopter-borne (30 cm resolution) photographs acquired as part of the ice campaigns. A total of five dual-polarimetric SAR features―backscattering coefficients at HH and VV polarizations, co-polarization ratio, co-polarization phase difference, and co-polarization correlation coefficient ―were computed from the dual-polarimetric SAR data and compared to the RMS height of the sea ice, which showed macroscale surface roughness. All the SAR features obtained at the high incidence angle were statistically weakly correlated with the RMS height of the sea ice, possibly influenced by the low backscattering close to the noise level that is attributed to the high incidence angle. The SAR features at the mid-incidence angle showed a statistically significant correlation with the RMS height of the sea ice, with Spearman’s correlation coefficient being higher than 0.7, except for the co-polarization ratio. Among the intensity-based and polarimetry-based SAR features, HH-polarized backscattering and co-polarization phase difference were analyzed to be the most sensitive to the macroscale RMS height of the sea ice. Our results show that the X-band dual-polarimetric SAR at mid-incidence angle exhibits potential for estimation of the macroscale surface roughness of the first-year sea ice with dry snow cover in summer.     

粗／精轨道数据对卫星InSAR DEM精度影响的对比分析

本文在介绍InSAR系统中卫星轨道状态矢量内插方法的基础上，从理论和实际两方面分析了轨道数据误差对参考椭球面相位、地形干涉相位和数字高程模型（DEM）精度的影响。以上海局部地区作为实验场，采用ERS-1／2卫星SAR影像数据，分别使用欧洲空间局粗略轨道数据和荷兰Delft大学空间研究中心精密轨道数据进行了干涉处理，生成了两种情况下的DEM，并对相关精度进行了对比与分析。研究结果表明，使用精轨数据建立的DEM的精度明显高于基于粗轨数据建立的DEM的精度。     

Assessment of Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Elevation Data Based on Topographic Maps in Turkey

Depending on scale, topographic maps depicting the shape of the land surfaces of the Earth are produced from different data sources. National topographic maps at a scale of 1:25 000 (25K maps) produced by General Command of Mapping are used as the base map set in Turkey. This map set, which consists of approximately 5500 sheets, covers the whole country and is produced using photogrammetric methods. Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) created from these maps are also available. Recently, another data source, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometric data, has become more important than those produced by conventional methods. The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) contains elevation data with 3 arc-second resolution and 16 m absolute height error (90 percent confidence level). These data are freely available via the Internet for approximately 80 percent of the Earth's land mass. In this study, SRTM DEM was compared with DEM derived from 25K topographic maps for different parts of Turkey. The study areas, each covering four neighboring 25K maps, and having an area of approximately 600 km², were chosen to represent various terrain characteristics. For the comparison, DEMs created from the 25K maps were obtained and organized as files for each map sheet in vector format, containing the digitized contour lines. From these data, DEMs in the resolution of 3 arc-second were created (25K-DEM), in the same structure as the SRTM DEM, allowing the 25K-DEMs and the SRTM DEM to be compared directly. The results show that the agreement of SRTM DEM to the 25K-DEM is within about 13 m, which is less than the SRTM's targeted error of 16 m. The spatial distribution of the height differences between SRTM-DEM and the 25K-DEM and correlation analysis show that the differences were mainly related to the topography of the test areas. In some areas, local height shifts were determined.     

Evaluation and Comparison of Multi Resolution DEM Derived Through Cartosat-1 Stereo Pair – A Case Study of Damanganga Basin

The study evaluates and compares Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data of various grid spacing derived using high resolution Cartosat 1 stereo data for hydrologic applications. DEM is essential in modeling different environmental processes which depend on surface elevation. The accuracy of derived DEM varies with grid spacing and source. The CartoDEM is the photogrammetric DEM derived from stereo pairs. Damanganga basin lying in the Western Ghats was analysed using 11 Carto stereo pairs. The process of triangulation resulted in RMSE of 0.42. DEM was extracted at 10 m, 20 m, 30 m, 40 m, 50 m and 90 m grid spacing and compared with ASTER GDEM (30 m) and SRTM DEM (90 m). DEM accuracy was checked with Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) statistic for random points generated in different elevation zones. Extracted stream networks were compared based on Correctness Index and Figure of Merit index, calculated for all the Digital Elevation Models at varying cell sizes. In order to further evaluate the DEM’s, a simple flood simulation with no water movement and no consideration of real time precipitation data was carried out and relationship between heights of flood stage and inundation area for each Digital Elevation Model was also established.