Precision Of Digital Elevation Model Research Articles

Performance Analysis of a Drone Development Kit-derived Digital Elevation Model

Surface modeling constitutes is a crucial aspect in numerous engineering inquiries and earth observation endeavors. In contemporary times, the acquisition of geospatial data essential for the digital representation of local regions is increasingly facilitated through drone-based methodologies, supplanting conventional terrestrial data gathering techniques. The market presently hosts a plethora of cost-effective, "ready-to-fly" unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), offering users the capability to generate photogrammetric outputs, including high geometric precision Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). Moreover, modularly structured drone development kits, designed for multifarious applications, are readily accessible for purchase. These drone kits offer an economically advantageous platform that users can customize to suit their specific needs. Nevertheless, the geometric precision of DEMs created using these kits hinges upon the capabilities of the imaging and navigation systems, in addition to the stabilization of the platform during autonomous flight. In this study, using a drone development kit and a commercial drone, simultaneous image acquisition was performed for the same study area and two different DEMs were produced. The efficacy of the DEM generated using the drone development kit was assessed through a comparative analysis with the DEM obtained from a commercial drone. In addition, geometric accuracy assessment was conducted for both DEMs using ground control points. The findings reveal the usability of drone development kits in precision DEM production, as well as their limitations.

A Novel Topography Retrieval Algorithm Based on Single-Pass Polarimetric SAR Data and Terrain Dependent Error Analysis

Polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) data provide an alternative way for topography retrieval, especially when limited PolSAR data are available. This article proposes a novel topography retrieval algorithm based on the Lambertian backscatter model that further improves the vertical precision of digital elevation model (DEM) generation and requires only one flight. The key idea of the proposed algorithm is to avoid data fluctuations caused by the ratio of the azimuth slope angle to the polarimetric orientation angle (POA). The previous research has confirmed the feasibility of generating a DEM based on single-pass PolSAR data, but its effect on the quality of reference DEM has not been well-explained. To analyze this effect, a large number of experiments on DEM with different resolutions are conducted. In addition, an in-depth analysis of non-linear and terrain-dependent errors is performed. The L-band PolSAR data of NASA/JPL TOPSAR and ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 and interferometric SAR (InSAR) DEM data are used to verify the proposed algorithm. The experimental results show that PolSAR data can be used as an additional reliable information source for DEM fusion under certain conditions to improve the quality of public DEM.

An approach for the precise DEM generation in urban environments using multi-GNSS

Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of large areas are usually prepared by satellite images and airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). However, obstacles due to urban canyon and others negatively affect the precision of DEM generated through the airborne platform. Global Navigation Satellite System networks, utilizing Real-Time Kinematic networks (NRTK), or post-processing kinematic (PPK), play an active role in supporting applications requiring high positioning accuracies. The principal objective of this research is to generate urban DEM using multi-GNSS. The methodology comprises collecting and processing multi-GNSS data by PPK technique, automatic filtering of processed data for outliers in elevation and density, and DEM generation. The PPK resulted in 71.92% fixed solutions. Spatial outlier filtering algorithm (SOFA) detected the outliers with 99.92% overall accuracy. A decimeter level precise DEM is generated. Overall, the present research strengthens the scope of multi-GNSS, especially in the application, which requires high accuracy.

Quality Assessment and Glaciological Applications of Digital Elevation Models Derived from Space-Borne and Aerial Images over Two Tidewater Glaciers of Southern Spitsbergen

In this study, we assess the accuracy and precision of digital elevation models (DEM) retrieved from aerial photographs taken in 2011 and from Very High Resolution satellite images (WorldView-2 and Pléiades) from the period 2012–2017. Additionally, the accuracy of the freely available Strip product of ArcticDEM was verified. We use the DEMs to characterize geometry changes over Hansbreen and Hornbreen, two tidewater glaciers in southern Spitsbergen, Svalbard. The satellite-based DEMs from WorldView-2 and Pléiades stereo pairs were processed using the Rational Function Model (RFM) without and with one ground control point. The elevation quality of the DEMs over glacierized areas was validated with in situ data: static differential GPS survey of mass balance stakes and GPS kinematic data acquired during ground penetrating radar survey. Results demonstrate the usefulness of the analyzed sources of DEMs for estimation of the total geodetic mass balance of the Svalbard glaciers. DEM accuracy is sufficient to investigate glacier surface elevation changes above 1 m. Strips from the ArcticDEM are generally precise, but some of them showed gross errors and need to be handled with caution. The surface of Hansbreen and Hornbreen has been lowering in recent years. The average annual elevation changes for Hansbreen were more negative in the period 2015–2017 (−2.4 m a−1) than in the period 2011–2015 (−1.7 m a−1). The average annual elevation changes over the studied area of Hornbreen for the period 2012–2017 amounted to −1.6 m a−1. The geodetic mass balance for Hansbreen was more negative than the climatic mass balance estimated using the mass budget method, probably due to underestimation of the ice discharge. From 2011 to 2017, Hansbreen lost on average over 1% of its volume each year. Such a high rate of relative loss illustrates how fast these glaciers are responding to climate change.

Application of open‐source photogrammetric software MicMac for monitoring surface deformation in laboratory models

AbstractQuantifying deformation is essential in modern laboratory models of geological systems. This paper presents a new laboratory monitoring method through the implementation of the open‐source software MicMac, which efficiently implements photogrammetry in Structure‐from‐Motion algorithms. Critical evaluation is provided using results from two example laboratory geodesy scenarios: magma emplacement and strike‐slip faulting. MicMac automatically processes images from synchronized cameras to compute time series of digital elevation models (DEMs) and orthorectified images of model surfaces. MicMac also implements digital image correlation to produce high‐resolution displacements maps. The resolution of DEMs and displacement maps corresponds to the pixel size of the processed images. Using 24 MP cameras, the precision of DEMs and displacements is ~0.05 mm on a 40 × 40 cm surface. Processing displacement maps with Matlab® scripts allows automatic fracture mapping on the monitored surfaces. MicMac also offers the possibility to integrate 3‐D models of excavated structures with the corresponding surface deformation data. The high resolution and high precision of MicMac results and the ability to generate virtual 3‐D models of complex structures make it a very promising tool for quantitative monitoring in laboratory models of geological systems.

Assessment of Regional Shallow Landslide Stability Based on Airborne Laser Scanning Data in the Yingxiu Area of Sichuan Province (China)

This study focuses on analyzing the slope stabilities in a landslide-prone area of Yingxiu Town, Sichuan Province (China). Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data were acquired to derive a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with sufficient accuracy and resolution, as an input for the regional landslide stability analysis. The one-dimensional hydrological model—Stability Index Map (SINMAP), functioning with topographic data, geological settings, and rainfall conditions, was used as a simplified model for slope stability mapping. In this study, the investigated region was classified into six stability levels, and data reliability was subsequently checked with reference to recent landslide inventories. Several experiments have shown that the quality of ALS data played a key-role in the slope stability inside the SINMAP model regarding the point cloud density and the random error. Higher point cloud density may construct higher precision of DEM, however, it may also produce more noises. Although with these uncertainties, using ALS data and its derived high precision DEM, the physically-based SINMAP model is expected to provide a solid basis for further landslide susceptibility mapping at regional scale.

Retrieving lunar topography from multispectral LROC images

A technique for retrieving information about the lunar topography from any individual multispectral LROC Wide Angle Camera (WAC) image has been developed. This technology is possible, since images acquired at different wavelengths correspond to different viewing angles and the influence of color differences between the images on the parallax assessments is small. This method provides the precision of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) comparable to the global lunar 100m raster DTM retrieved from the LROC WAC stereo model (GLD100). It potentially allows one to obtain maps of the elevations with better horizontal resolution than those of the GLD100. An empirical model of the distortion for LROC WAC has been developed and used for correction of the initial WAC images. In contrast to the standard pre-flight model, our model allows for compensation of the radial distortion, decentering the optics, and tilt of the CCD array almost fully. The DEMs obtained using our approach exhibit real morphological details in some cases that are invisible in GLD100 maps. Thus, our method suggests additional independent information about the lunar topography. The fact that our elevation maps have the same projection as the initial images allows valid corrections of these images to account for topographic effects (i. e. orthorectification) in contrast to the use of the GLD100 that may have slightly different coordinates referencing in comparison to individual WAC images.

Suitability of S factor algorithms for soil loss estimation at gently sloped landscapes

The reliability and the estimation technique of the S factor limit the use of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) at a regional scale. The accuracy of the S factor principally depends on the digital elevation model (DEM) accuracy and the precision of algorithms. Few studies were conducted on the accuracy of the S factor for a gently rolling landscape at a regional scale. We select a rectangular study site of 1.3 km2 in northern Germany as a case study to explore the effects of algorithm, horizontal resolution and vertical precision of DEM as well as terrain on the S factor. Horizontal resolution includes 1 m, 5 m, 10 m, 25 m, 50 m and 100 m. We use the following eight algorithms: maximum slope gradient, maximum downhill slope gradient, second-order finite difference, third-order finite difference, third-order finite difference weighted by reciprocal of squared distance, third-order finite difference weighted by reciprocal of distance, frame finite difference and simple difference. The results are as follows: (1) the algorithms affect the accuracy of the S factor at any given resolution of DEM, in particular more obvious for the lower DEM resolutions; (2) the accuracy of the S factor decreases as horizontal resolution decreases; (3) the most suitable algorithm is maximum downhill slope gradient for 1 m, and maximum slope gradient for the 5 m to 100 m resolution; (4) vertical precision also affects the accuracy of the S factor. However, vertical precision almost does not change the order of rank of the S factor with eight different algorithms at any given resolution of DEM; (5) the more complex the terrain is, the worse the accuracy of the S factor is represented. Among all the affective factors, horizontal resolution is the most important for the accuracy of the S factor. Selecting the most suitable algorithm is the best way for reducing the errors of the S factor when applying the USLE.

Preliminary assessment of rockslide and rockfall hazards using a DEM (Oppstadhornet, Norway)

Abstract. The increasing availability and precision of digital elevation model (DEM) helps in the assessment of landslide prone areas where only few data are available. This approach is performed in 6 main steps which include: DEM creation; identification of geomorphologic features; determination of the main sets of discontinuities; mapping of the most likely dangerous structures; preliminary rock-fall assessment; estimation of the large instabilities volumes. The method is applied to two the cases studies in the Oppstadhornet mountain (730m alt): (1) a 10 millions m3 slow-moving rockslide and (2) a potential high-energy rock falling prone area. The orientations of the foliation and of the major discontinuities have been determined directly from the DEM. These results are in very good agreement with field measurements. Spatial arrangements of discontinuities and foliation with the topography revealed hazardous structures. Maps of potential occurrence of these hazardous structures show highly probable sliding areas at the foot of the main landslide and potential rock falls in the eastern part of the mountain.