Satellite Stereo Data Comprehensive Benchmark for DSM Extraction

The quite recent availability of satellite stereo pairs allows users to extract three-dimensional data that can be used in different domain of applications, such as urban planning, energy, emergency management, etc. This research paper aims to extract digital surface models (DSM) from satellite stereo pairs acquired by three different satellites (Deimos-2, Pléiades-1 and WorldView-3) over the area of the city of Turin (Italy). The results are then assessed in term of geometric accuracy comparing them with a cadastral point height dataset, used as benchmark. The comparison, in terms of difference height values (between the DSM and the benchmark), is calculated on a set of sample points. Just two of the generated DSM guaranteed a high height accuracy level useful for the domain of application, such as existing cartography update, emergency management, building damage assessment, roof slope and solar incoming radiation assessment. Further developments will investigate different blending techniques and software that could provide more accurate results.