Comparative evaluation of Cartosat-1 and SRTM imageries for digital elevation modelling

Abstract

Digital Elevation Models (DEM) of a hilly-valley region are prepared using stereo images of Cartosat-1 and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) images. The procedure of ortho-image generation from Cartosat-1 stereo images and the estimation of ground features from ortho-image are elaborated in the paper. Comparison of DEMs prepared from both images is discussed in terms of the quality of ground features detection, hydrological applications and geometrical calculations. It is found that DEM prepared from Cartosat-1 images are more accurate in the valley region and hence it is better suited for hydrological applications. On the contrary, for hilly region, SRTM images produce better DEM. However, if ground control points and Rational Polynomial Coefficients can be obtained in the hilly region, more accurate DEM can be prepared using Cartosat-1 stereo images. © 2013 Wuhan University.