Quality Assessment of TanDEM-X DEMs, SRTM and ASTER GDEM on Selected Chinese Sites

Digital elevation models (DEMs) are the basic data of science and engineering technology research. SRTM ASTER GDEM currently widely used global DEMs, TanDEM-X DEM, released in 2016, has attracted users’ attention due to its unprecedented accuracy. These datasets often for local applications quality DEMs affects results applications. Many researchers have assessed compared on a scale. To provide some additional insights assessment 12- 30-m resolution SRTM, this study differences’ performance relation not only geographical features but also ways which been created selected Chinese sites, taking ICESat/GLAS points with 14-cm absolute vertical accuracy size 70-m diameter 12-m DEM less than 10-m as reference comprehensive evaluation. When comparing three an improved Least Z-Difference (LZD) method was applied co-registration between models, Quantile–Quantile (Q-Q) plot identify if errors follow normal distribution help choose proper statistical indicators accordingly. The show that: (1) best overall quality, followed by SRTM. worst quality. significant advantages describing terrain details. (2) strong relationship slope, aspect land cover. However, weakens after co-registration. gets higher increasing number images fusion process. where slopes opposite radar beam is could new perspective other whose incidence angle files available. (3) Systematic deviations can reduce DEM. differences non-normal even For who want know order use it further applications, they should pay more factors cover their areas created.