3D building profiles: comparison and fusion of LIDAR and IFSAR data

The authors analyze a data set composed of interferometric radar (IFSAR) and LIDAR measurements over a urban area. The data set horizontal resolution (2.5 meters) allows to characterize the major buildings in the studied area (Downtown Denver), and to make a comparison of the building 3D structure retrievable from the data. Furthermore, the integration of these two sensors, even if in a very preliminary forms, shows promising results. For instance, the problems affecting IFSAR measurements and due to multiple bouncing of the electromagnetic field in a crowded built area may be partially corrected by determining the building footprints by means of LIDAR data. Moreover, less expensive IFSAR data may be corrected from its layover and shadowing problems by exploiting LIDAR measurements on a sample area