3D-building height extraction from stereo IKONOS data : quantitative and qualitative validation of digital surface models : derivation of building height and building outlines

This report is dealing with the digital surface model generation from VHR stereo satellite data with the focus on building height and shape extraction. The report provides a theoretical insight into orthorectification methods based on either empirical or rigorous, physical models and the theoretical aspects of digital surface model extraction. Orthorectification of stereo satellite data highly influences the accuracy of a digital surface model besides the selected matching methodology applied during the surface model extraction process. The requirement and ideal distribution of ground control points is discussed. In the final part of the report the results of four software packages, ENVI, PCI Geomatica, RSG and Leica Photogrammetric Suite, tested for urban DSM generation, are presented and described.