DSM Extraction Based on Gaofen-6 Satellite High-Resolution Cross-Track Images with Wide Field of View

Digital Surface Model (DSM) is a three-dimensional model presenting the elevation of the Earth’s surface, which can be obtained by the along-track or cross-track stereo images of optical satellites. This paper investigates the DSM extraction method using Gaofen-6 (GF-6) high-resolution (HR) cross-track images with a wide field of view (WFV). To guarantee the elevation accuracy, the relationship between the intersection angle and the overlap of the cross-track images was analyzed. Cross-track images with 20–40% overlaps could be selected to conduct DSM extraction. First, the rational function model (RFM) based on error compensation was used to realize the accurate orientation of the image. Then, the disparity map was generated based on the semi-global block matching (SGBM) algorithm with epipolar constraint. Finally, the DSM was generated by forward intersection. The GF-6 HR cross-track images with about 30% overlap located in Taian, Shandong Province, China, were used for DSM extraction. The results show that the mountainous surface elevation features were retained completely, and the details, such as houses and roads, were presented in valleys and urban areas. The root mean square error (RMSE) of the extracted DSM could reach 6.303 m, 12.879 m, 14.929 m, and 19.043 m in valley, ridge, urban, and peak areas, respectively. The results indicate that the GF-6 HR cross-track images with a certain overlap can be used to extract a DSM to enhance its application in land cover monitoring.