PROJECT TITLE :

A Method to Estimate Long-Wave Height Errors of SRTM C-Band DEM

ABSTRACT:

The digital elevation model (DEM) of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) still has known long-wave height errors. These errors occur particularly in the continent's interior with a spatial scale of tons to thousands of kilometers and a magnitude of several meters. During this letter, for the first time, a methodology for estimating those long-wave height errors with the intention to enhance the absolute height accuracy of SRTM C-band DEM globally is presented. The improvement of the SRTM DEM bases on continuously outlined spherical harmonics that can model the whole sphere. The highly accurate measurements of the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System instrument aboard the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) function input for the smallest amount-squares adjustment that estimates the relevant coefficients of the spherical harmonics. Choice criteria are applied to these information to get ICESat points on flat and nonvegetated areas which account for the most “reliable” points with an accuracy of approximately one m. Our results offer a height improvement of 5–vi m along Eurasia and up to ±four m along North America. The validation with worldwide World Positioning System tracks proves that absolutely the height accuracy of SRTM may generally be improved to higher than 3 m.