Accuracy investigation of digital elevation models derived from SRTM (shuttle radar topography mission)

Topography is basic to many earth surface processes. Digital Terrain Model is a general term used to describe the physical and topographic information of earth?s surface by choosing appropriate interpolation function. RADAR data is very significant data for Digital Elevation Models (DEM). SRTM is an active radar system which uses Interferometry to produce high quality 3-D topographic maps. SRTM is a joint project between USA, Germany and Italy to collect radar data for 80% of the earth. DEM derived from the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) are now freely available in a resolution of 3 arc-seconds. These data can be very useful for topographic applications.In this study first height differences between the SRTM 3 arc second data and DTED data was investigated by using Microdem, PCI Geomatica and Global Mapper Software. Next DEM, which has 10 meters resolution, was produced from 1/25.000 scale topographic map. Also height differences between SRTM data and the produced DEM were calculated. Differences between the SRTM and DTED1 are over than differences between the SRTM3 and DTED2 datas. So SRTM3 data can be used as the DTED1 data.This study is divided five chapters.First chapter is introduction.In the second chapter, information about Digital elevation models was presented.In the third chapter, Radar systems, principles of radar systems and radar error were presented.In the fourth chapter SRTM 3 arc second data and DTED data were compared. Height differences are also presented.In the fifth chapter, conclusions and proposals were presented.