A framework for an automated editing of TanDEM-X digital elevation models

Abstract

The digital elevation model (DEM) produced by TanDEM-X is an interferometric elevation model with global unprecedented quality, accuracy, and coverage. It represents an unedited surface model that means for example in case of water bodies it still contains noisy, random or void DEM values. For the most applications a DEM editing is crucial. After all, as every application has its own requirements in this paper we describe a framework especially developed for TanDEM-X DEM to automatically edit the DEM according to specific user requirements. Originally, the tools were developed for editing SRTM X-Band DEM. Currently this framework is extended within the RASOR project (Rapid Analysis and Spatialisation Of Risk) towards a specific editing to support multi-hazard risk assessment but also for general editing purposes.