A comparison of rigorous sensor model and rational function model for DEM generation from stereo SPOT images

Abstract

Generation of accurate digital elevation models from stereo satellite images are becoming increasingly of interest. The primary focus of this paper is to compare rigorous sensor model (RSM) and rational function model (RFM) for accurate generation of digital elevation model from stereo satellite images. In the application of RSM, first degree of polynomials for the modeling the satellite position ω and ϕ angular deviations and constants for the modeling the u and angular deviations from the nominal values were sufficient. In the application of RFM, the approximation accuracy of the second order of RFM with different denominators forx andy (case ofP6≠P8) was better than the other cases. Experimental results indicate that the DEM height accuracy of RSM is better than the RFM.