Tidal flat DEM Generation and Application using TanDEM-X Science Phase Data

Abstract

This study will explore the feasibility of TanDEM-X (TDX) interferometric observations in tidal flats for digital elevation model (DEM) construction. High precision DEM generation over tidal flat areas has been a great challenge because intertidal zone information is valuable for monitoring coastal environment and erosion. In order to monitor active coastal changes caused by wave, current and tide, very accurate DEMs with high spatial resolution are requested. The bi- and monostatic modes of TDX interferometer acquired on the TDX Science Phase give us the great possibility for highly accurate intertidal DEM construction by means of radar interferometry due to no time lag (bistatic case) or approximately 10-second temporal baseline (monostatic case) between master and slave SAR image acquisitions. In this study, achievable DEM over tidal flat areas was first simulated from TDX system parameters, depending on TDX various modes. We have successfully generated intertidal zone DEMs with 5 &#8211 7 m spatial resolution with interferometric height accuracy better than 0.15 m on three representative tidal flats on the west coast of the Korean Peninsular. Finally, The estimated TDX DEMs in tidal flats were validated against real time kinematic (RTK)-GPS measurements acquired in two tidal flat areas the correlation coefficient was 0.97 with an RMSE of 0.20 m.ertidal zone information is valuable for monitoring coastal environment and erosion. In order to monitor active coastal changes caused by wave, current and tide, very accurate DEMs with high spatial resolution are requested. The bi- and monostatic modes of TDX interferometer acquired on the TDX Science Phase give us the great possibility for highly accurate intertidal DEM construction by means of radar interferometry due to no time lag (bistatic case) or approximately 10-second temporal baseline (monostatic case) between master and slave SAR image acquisitions. In this study, achievable DEM over tidal flat areas was first simulated from TDX system parameters, depending on TDX various modes. We have successfully generated intertidal zone DEMs with 5 &#8211 7 m spatial resolution with interferometric height accuracy better than 0.15 m on three representative tidal flats on the west coast of the Korean Peninsular. Finally, The estimated TDX DEMs in tidal flats were validated against real time kinematic (RTK)-GPS measurements acquired in two tidal flat areas the correlation coefficient was 0.97 with an RMSE of 0.20 m.