TanDEM-X Performance Analysis.

TanDEM-X (TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement) [1] is a space borne X-band earth observation mis-sion with the goal of generating a global Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with an unprecedented accuracy, corresponding to the HRTI-3 specifications. In the first part of the paper, the height performance model is presented. The analysis is extended to different terrain-types, showing a significant impact on the height accuracy. Based on a global terrain classi-fication map, a first rough estimate of the global DEM performance is given. The second part concentrates on an analysis of the effect of the block adaptive quantiser (BAQ) in terrain with high dynamic range in backscatter power, like urban areas. Simulation results based on TerraSAR-X measurement data will be presented.