Euro-Maps 3D is a brand new, homogeneous 5 m resolution digital surface model (DSM) of unique quality derived by Euromap from the 2.5 m in-flight stereo data provided by the Indian IRS-P5 Cartosat-1 satellite. This new and innovative product has been developed in close co-operation with the Remote Sensing Technology Institute (IMF) of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The very detailed and accurate representation of the surface is achieved by using a sophisticated and tailored algorithm implemented on the basis of the Semi-Global Matching approach. A comparison of the surface representation provided by Euro-Maps 3D and by other available elevation models, such as DTED2 or SRTM Level1 data, is shown in 1. This highlights the very accurate mapping of buildings (red circle), roads (red arrow) and even slight differences in height (black arrow) in the Euro-Maps 3D product.
Figure 1: Comparison of surface representation provided by Euro-Maps 3D, DTED2 and SRTM Level 1 data; buildings (red circle), roads (red arrow), slight differences in height (black arrow)
The final product also includes detailed additional information consisting of several pixel based quality and traceability layers also including an ortho layer. This combination provides maximum accuracy, reliability and transparency.
The pan-European, off-the-shelf DSM product will be continuously made available by Euromap till the end of 2013 and offers transnational, homogenous quality covering most parts of Europe and North Africa. The first countries, including Kosovo, Macedonia and Albania, have already been processed and are available yet off-the shelf. Thanks to the good worldwide archive situation for IRS-P5 Cartosat-1 stereo data, other areas in regions such as the Middle East, Asia and America will be processed on request. Examples of DSM products can be seen in Figure 2. The preliminary prices for the DSM product are 4.50 €/km² for areas larger than 50,000 km² and 7.50 €/km² for smaller areas.
Figure 2: 2D view of Turin, Italy, and surroundings (left) and 3D view of Bandar Abbas, Iran, including the ortho layer (right) |
The product is highly accurate and offers reliable vertical (LE90) and horizontal accuracy (CE90) of between 5 and 10 m. Accuracy tests, with kinematic GPS tracks being used as independent ground control, have been carried out at 22 selected test sites featuring different terrain and vegetation types in Europe and North Africa, and these show a mean horizontal accuracy (CE90) of 6.7 m and a mean vertical accuracy (LE90) of 5 m.
The combination of a 5 m DSM and a 2.5 m ortho image layer, processed in exactly the same geometry from the same data source, make Euro-Maps 3D an outstanding and unique product. The ortho image is useful for verifying height information and can also be used as an accurate geometric reference for other geo-data layers.
The characteristics of the Euro-Maps 3D product enable usage for a wide range of geo-applications that depend on the input or processing of elevation data. Basically, the DSM product can provide ideal elevation reference information for any satellite image orthorectification procedure. Also, its corresponding 2.5 m Cartosat-1 ortho image layer makes Euro-Maps 3D an excellent geo-reference data set for VHR and HR satellite image orthorectification. Other proven fields of application include 2D/3D visualisation and fly throughs, infrastructure and urban planning/monitoring, checking and monitoring of open cast mining, flood modelling, volume calculations, radiation and wave propagation, line-off sight analysis and risk analysis.
For further information regarding prices and availability of the DSM product please contact the Euromap customer support at data@euromap.de.
About Euromap
Euromap Satellitendaten-Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH was founded in 1996 as a 100% owned subsidiary of GAF AG in order to create an efficient commercial structure to receive, archive and market Earth observation satellite data in Germany. Experience and expertise in data reception and processing is optimally combined in the company with marketing and distribution activities – thus providing the essential conditions for supporting a growing user-market for remote sensing data. Euromap GmbH is located in Neustrelitz, Germany.
About IMF
The Remote Sensing Technology Institute (IMF) is an institute of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). Together with the centre’s German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD), it comprises DLR’s Earth Observation Center (EOC). IMF focuses on the development of algorithms and methods for the extraction of geoinformation from remote sensing data.
For more information, please contact:
Euromap GmbH
Phone +49 3981 4883 0.
info@euromap.de
German Aerospace Centre, Remote Sensing Technology Institute
Phone +49 8153 28 2757.
Peter.Reinartz@dlr.de|