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Digital Elevation Model Generation using SRTM

Conference Paper · July 2015

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Anirudh Ramaraju Giridhar V S S Mittapalli

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 Digital Elevation Model Generation using SRTM
Ramaraju Anirudh1* and M.V.S.S. Giridhar2
1*
M. Tech Student and 2Head & Asst. Prof.,
Centre for Water Resources, Institute of Science and Technology, J.N.T.U.H, Hyderabad, India,
anirudhramaraju@gmail.com and mvssgiridhar@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
A digital elevation model (DEM) is the most basic and interesting geographical data type. Different techniques
are used for acquisition of DEM source data: aerial and spatial photogrammetry, radargrammetry, SAR
interferometry, airborne laser scanning (LIDAR), cartographic digitization of existing maps, traditional and
modern surveying techniques. DEM generation by means of optical satellite images is become very
advantageous method: it offers updated information, large area coverage, quick data access and it is very cost
effective. In present study area for DEM generation, Kaddam watershed of Middle Godavari river basin has been
selected. Using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission we can obtain DEM in 90m and 30m data. The article
presents main sources of data for DEM generation, the interferometry processing steps for DEM generation
based on the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission data/model and the crucial threshold values are tried to explain.
Keywords: Digital Elevation Model, Optical satellite images, Kaddam watershed, SRTM.

INTRODUCTION
The digital elevation model is simply a statistical representation of the continuous surface of the ground by a large
number of selected points with known coordinates in an arbitrary coordinate field. The new techniques of data
acquisition and processing have been developed and new types of digital terrain models have come into sight: from
highway to railway design to agricultural management, flight simulation, flood monitoring and many more. DEM
may be arranged in a raster or random form. Instead of the expression DEM also the term digital height model
(DHM) is used. Digital Elevation Models do play a fundamental role in mapping. The digital description of the
three dimensional surface is important for several applications. Today the most often used photogrammetric
product are orthoimages generated by means of a single image and a DEM. The very high resolution space sensors
are mainly operating in a single image mode; stereo pairs are not taken very often. A correct geo-referencing is
only possible based on a DEM. But these DEMs have to be created. The existing and not classified world wide
DEMs usually do not have a sufficient accuracy and reliability for more precise applications or they may be too
expensive. Interferometry SAR (InSAR) is based on the processing of complex SAR images acquired from slightly
different points of view. InSAR was proposed by Graham in 1974 and applied for the first time at JPL (Jet
Propulsion Laboratory’s) in 1986 using airborne data. Today, a large number of research groups are working on
DEM generation with InSAR data coming from different airborne and space borne systems. The importance of
InSAR is related to its high spatial resolution and good potential precision and to the highly automated DEM
generation capabilities. Using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, the digital elevation model for Kaddam
watershed of Godavari river basin has been obtained.

STUDY AREA
The Godavari basin is situated between East longitudes 73˚ 21′ to 81˚ 09′ and North latitudes 16˚ 07′ to 22˚ 50′ in
the Deccan plateau covering large areas in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa,
Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Godavari catchment is divided into eight sub basins. The study area is a part of
‘Middle Godavari’ (G-5) sub basin of River Godavari which lies between latitudes 17˚ 04′ and 18˚ 30′ north and
longitudes 77˚ 43′ and 79˚ 53′ east. The watershed spreads over twelve mandals which fall under Adilabad district.
The total basin area and entirely lies in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) consists of a specially modified Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
system that flew onboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour which was launched into space on the 11th of February
2000, During an 11-day mission SRTM had the goal to obtain data in order to generate the most complete high-
636 2nd National Conference on Water, Environment and Society (NCWES - 2015)

resolution digital topographic database of the Earth. SRTM InSAR was using two radar systems with different
wavelengths. One was the C-band radar system operated by the USA having a wavelength λ=5.6cm and the other
was the X-band radar system with λ=3cm operated by Germany and Italy. The radar Interferometry technique
implies the acquirement of two radar images from slightly different locations in order to calculate the surface
elevation. The two antenna systems of the SRTM which were separated by a fixed distance of 60 meters (the mast)
were collecting two radar data sets. The main antenna was operated in active and passive mode because it
transmitted and received signals while the outboard antenna was just passive. The main antenna illuminated a
portion of the Earth´s surface with a pulse of 1/10 of a microsecond using a beam of radar waves. The X-band data
set can be bought with a point spacing of 1 arc second (≈30m) while the C-band data are available free of charge
with a reduced spacing of only 3 arc seconds (≈ 90m).

METHODOLOGY
DEM Generation: Shuttle Radar Topography Mission is a good source of DEM data for almost anywhere in the
world. It is available at 90 meter and, since the end of 2014, 30 meter resolutions.
The first thing to do is to make a note of the Extend of the study area you want to model; the maximum and
minimum latitudes and longitudes. If you have a longitude above 180°, subtract 360. Decimal degrees, rather than
degrees, minutes and seconds, will be required for clipping later, so convert yours if necessary and make a note of
them.

30m Data generation

To generate DEM data from SRTM we should register and logged on in earthexplorer to access and to download
DEM data.
The step by step methodology used is as follows: Under Coordinates, select Decimal and click Add
Coordinates. Enter the latitude and longitude of one of the 4 corners of the extent. Add the other 3 corners
similarly. Then above Enter Search Criteria select the second tab, Data Sets.
Find Digital Elevation, click on the plus sign to expand and find SRTM. Expand that and check SRTM 1 Arc-
Second Global. Then go straight to the fourth tab, Results
After a few seconds you should see the tiles you need listed. For each one, Click on Download options
th
(5 symbol) and then click Download beside GeoTIFF. Save the file, close the Download Options form, and repeat
for each of your tiles. Note that the save form says the file is a zipped archive, but its extension is .tif and it is not
zipped. Move the .tif files to the map folder.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The acquired DEM data from SRTM 1 Arc-Second Global is used for generating watershed boundary for the study
area. From the digital elevation model obtained, the file is opened in soil and water assessment tool, to create a
watershed boundary.
In the large DEMs, the number of cells in a digital elevation model is probably the main factor influencing
processing time; it is not the only one. DEM sizes are in millions of cells; for example the 100 million DEM has
10000 rows and 10000 columns.
The SRTM file which we obtained may be larger in size when compared with study area which we need to
obtain the watershed boundary.
 2nd National Conference on Water, Environment and Society (NCWES - 2015) 637

Figure 1. Digital Elevation Model of Middle Godavari G-5 Sub Basin

To extract the watershed from the digital elevation model, we need to add the watershed boundary in the Layers
of SWAT model.
The procedure we follow to clip the watershed boundary from the digital elevation model, the following method
is used: use Raster → Extraction → Clipper → select the clipping mode to mask layer → make sure the boundary
shape file is selected → click OK to reproject → clear the completion message → Close the clipper form →
remove the DEM file to check that we have DEM clipped to the shape.

Figure 2. Digital Elevation Model with Kaddam Watershed Boundary

638 2nd National Conference on Water, Environment and Society (NCWES - 2015)

Figure 3. Kaddam watershed Digital Elevation Model

The above figure shows the study area (Kaddam Watershed) which is obtained from the digital elevation model.

CONCLUSIONS
With the rising number of high and very high resolution imaging satellites, with improved configurations and also
by interferometry SAR, digital elevation models can be generated in any location with accuracy and with details
which was not possible few years ago. For reaching satisfying results, images taken within the same orbit should be
preferred. The generated digital surface models have to be reduced to digital elevation models. The project gives
the ideal DEM of Kaddam watershed area and accuracy evolution from SRTM 1 Arc-Second Global. Further
investigations analyzing the dependence on slope angles will be done.

REFERENCES
Dana I. F., Jacobsen K. and Zavoianu F., ‘DEM Generation Using Optical / Radar Satellite Images - A Comparative Study’
RevCAD – Journal of Geodesy and Cadastre. PP 37-46.
Giancarlo Rufino, Antonio Moccia and Salvatore Esposito “DEM Generation by Means of ERS Tandem Data” IEEE
Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Volume 36, No 6, November 1998. PP 1905-1912.
Hoja D, Reinartz P and Schroeder M “Comparison Of Dem Generation And Combination Methods Using High Resolution
Optical Stereo Imagery And Interferometry SAR Data”.
Jacobsen K, “DEM Generation from Satellite Data” University of Hannover, Germany.
Michele Crosetto and Fernando Pérez Aragues “Radargrammetry and SAR interferometry for DEM generation: validation and
data fusion”.
Sefercik U. G. and Dana. I “Crucial Points of Interferometric Processing for Dem Generation Using High Resolution SAR
Data”.
Suganthi S and Srinivasan K, “Digital Elevation Model Generation and Its Application in Landslide Studies Using Cartosat1”
International Journal of Geomatics and Geosciences, Volume 1, No 1, 2010. ISSN 0976-4380, PP 41-50.

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