Evaluation and accuracy assessment of high-resolution IFSAR DEMs in low-relief areas

The use of digital elevation models from remotely sensing systems has been restricted in the past to high-relief areas due to the lack of appropriate resolution and accuracy to map micro-relief variability in low relief areas. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar, a new technology that provides detailed elevation models from remotely sensed data, is evaluated. Main characteristics of this data are highlighted. Accuracy assessment is tested in detail for two high-resolution acquisition modes using higher accuracy sources of data. The accuracy results using the root mean square (rms) error were better than expected according to mission specifications. However, at the checkpoint locations where the signal backscatter generates an elevation measure, the accuracy depends considerably upon the site-specific surface characteristics, such as the land use, above ground biomass, adjacent forest areas and infrastructure features located within surrounding pixels.