September 19, 2014

Digital Height Model (DHM)


France - Digital Height Model of Paris © IGN
 

Digital Height Models (DHMs) provide a unique three-dimensional description of our environment. They are altimetry files made up of a regular mesh network of altitudes. DHMs describe the ground profile while integrating what is on the ground surface (buildings, vegetation, etc.).

They can be calculated in different ways:

  • from stereoscopic pairs of aerial or satellite images, by automatic correlation or by restitution,
  • from laser sightings.

DHMs are of great interest for all urban applications, particularly for telecommunications (mobile telephony network coverage).

The very high resolution of the Pleiades-HR component, together with the considerable agility of the satellite, will make it possible to produce DHMs of great altimetric accuracy.