Elevation Data

L3Harris provides access to a wide range of Digital Elevation Models (DEM) that cover every area on the Earth. Both Digital Surface Models (DSM) and Digital Terrain Models (DTM) are available at a variety of resolutions. A DSM includes features such as vegetation and man-made structures, while a DTM will have the surface features removed so it represents bare earth. For areas of the world with insufficient levels of resolution, L3Harrs has the capability and expertise to create custom elevation data applications and is also partnered with public and private vendors to create new datasets worldwide.

Sometimes finding the image or data you need is easier said than done. L3Harris can help customers uncertain about what type of image is needed for a project, or if a sensor doesn’t have coverage of an area of interest. Whether it’s tasking satellite imaging technology to get it, or searching through available commercial satellite imagery, L3Harris will work with customers to deliver the right data for your project.

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GLOBAL HIGH-RESOLUTION 3D MAP

The possibilities for 3D mapping are infinite, ranging from wireless planning, city planning, infrastructure management, disaster management, environment monitoring, to applications in public health. AW3D has successfully established a highly capable ecosystem to provide a rich line up of 3D maps worldwide. Cost effectiveness, superior quality, fast turnaround time, and the flexibility to support a wide range of formats is what makes this all possible.

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AW3D Enhanced

High accuracy of 0.5 meter in both horizontal and vertical direction is realized with Maxar’s satellites. The product offers wide range line-ups of 0.5 meter, 1 meter and 2 meter mesh product at the same accuracy level. L3Harris combines images shot by several satellites and produce high-resolution 3D map. This provides digital terrain models with such high resolution that detailed variations in tree height can be determined.

AW3D Data Sheet
Watch Demo Video – Compare Digital Surface Model 30m, 2.5m and 0.5m Resolutions
Watch Demo Video – Compare DSM and DTM Resolutions

Resolution: 0.5 meter/ 1 meter / 2 meter
Format: GeoTIFF, DEM, others

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AW3D Standard is the world’s best global digital elevation model. More than 3 million satellite images are used to create the most comprehensive high-resolution digital 3D imagery available today. AW3D Standard is based on PRISM data acquired by the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Development of AW3D Standard began in February 2014 and is the result of a public‐private partnership project among JAXA, NTT Data, and Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC).

AW3D Data Sheet
Watch Demo Video – Compare Digital Surface Model 30 meter, 2.5 meter and 0.5 meter Resolutions
Watch Demo Video – Compare DSM and DTM Resolutions

Resolution: 5m
Vertical Accuracy: 5 meter RMSE / 7 meter CE90
Format: GeoTIFF and others

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AW3D TELECOM FOR 5G

The AW3D Telecom is the perfect 3D elevation dataset for any simulation of wireless signal propagation. Not only does it comply with many telecommunication operators' standards, thanks to its high-accuracy, it is also applicable for any other signal propagation analyses such as car-to-car communication in a self-driving system. L3Harris provides complete datasets optimized for those purposes, including height values acquired from high-resolution satellites, and land usage classification based on sensors.

AW3D Telecom Data Sheet

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The AW3D Building 3D elevation dataset includes the shape and height of building footprints by using the latest satellite images. This dataset is for many simulations such as telecommunications, asset planning, and analysis of the view.

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The AW3D Metro 3D elevation dataset is a precise 3D city model which has nation-wide or state-wide coverage. It is comprised of 3D vector models of buildings, vegetation, and bridges, and 3D raster data with 0.5 meter to 1 meter resolution. It is suitable for 5G network precise simulation, disaster analysis such as flood simulation, smart city planning, and many other applications.

AW3D Data Sheet

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The AW3D Airport are complete eTOD (electric Terrain and Obstacle Data) datasets created from high-resolution satellite imagery, which is required data for plane’s take-off and landing procedures, as well as airport’s facility management.

AW3D Data Sheet

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AW3D APPLICATIONS

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Highly accurate and detailed 3D digital elevation maps are especially crucial for designing 5G networks which use millimeter-spectrum waves that are highly sensitive to interference from natural and manmade objects. AW3D cutting edge technologies captures the detail required to build advanced datasets for highly precise 5G planning.

Geo data for radio network planning / RF geo data / 3D geo data for wireless / Geo data for 5G / Network planning
Line-of-sight analysis
IoT / Smart city planning / Connected society / MMTC
Autonomous driving / Autonomous vehicle / Self-driving / Vehicle-to-vehicle / Vehicle-to-infrastructure / V2V / V2X / eMBB
Smart manufacturing / Drone / Robot / Machine / URLLC / Smart construction / Smart hospital / Smart agriculture
Interactive experience by VR and AR / Real-time video streaming / Wearable technology

Highly accurate and detailed 3D digital terrain maps are especially crucial for designing 5G networks which use millimeter-spectrum waves that are highly sensitive to interference from natural and manmade objects. AW3D cutting edge technologies captures the detail required to build advanced datasets for highly precise 5G planning.

Large to medium scale mapping
Contour lines and feature extraction
Cadastral analysis
Change detection
Base map
Digital map reference

Highly accurate terrain data and man-made objects information enables precise simulations of disasters such as landslides, floods, and building collapse. After a natural disaster, satellite imagery makes it possible to detect affected areas and quickly build a disaster recovery plan.

Disaster simulation (landslide, flood, building collapse)
Emergency response plan / Disaster recovery plan / Hazard identification
Detect disaster-affected areas
Landslide volume estimation
Disaster-ready facility management

With accuracy comparable to aerial surveys, AW3D makes initial on-site surveys unnecessary and can cover a wide area without the worry of flight restriction zones. AW3D is suitable for large infrastructure projects such as road and rail construction, city planning, green area management and dam construction, and is also compatible with major GIS software and CAD platforms.

Geological survey (topology, terrain, object count, land use)
Population estimation from building volume calculation
Infrastructure construction, land development (soil volume, 3D visualization, route planning)
Design simulation (wind/fluid simulation, sunlight simulation, line-of-sight propagation)
Approval process (3D simulation of after-completion condition)
Year-to-year change tracking

AW3D provides accurate, detailed terrain site information faster, safer, and more affordably than an on-site survey. Highly rated for its accuracy in both vertical and horizontal directions, AW3D is also compatible with non-visible bands such as short-wave infrared (SWIR) making at the perfect choice to manage natural resource exploration for oil, gas, iron, gold and more.

Mining exploration
Exploration site selection
Exploration site management
Pipeline planning and management
Geothermal facility survey
Basin analysis

AW3D terrain model datasets have been used in dam construction projects and proven to be effective for soil volume calculation, initial design phase and river slope analysis. It has also been used for power grid planning and management such as power line route planning tower management.

Power facility management and maintenance
Power plant construction
Power line route planning
Initial design phase (hydroelectric power station)
Post-completion illustration

High-accuracy 3D maps are a core element of an autonomous car system, yet less than 1% of the world’s roads are currently mapped to this standard. Combining image-processing technology and artificial intelligence (AI) along with its cutting-edge 3D mapping capability, AW3D extracts information including road lane, line markings, slope information and object height in a timely and efficient manner, at a low price point, and with uniform quality to support autonomous car implementation.

Self-driving (autonomous car) system map creation
Map updating
Road line markings
Road elevation, slope calculation
Initial design phase (hydroelectric power station)
Post-completion illustration

AW3D offers high-resolution and highly accurate 2D and 3D geospatial data covering wide areas with a short turnaround making it useful in supporting critical and timely decision making on matters of national security.

Map creation/topographic mapping
Situation assessment
Logistic support
Flight control
Diffusion simulation
Image processing
Actionable intelligence

AIRBUS

Airbus Defence & Space offers a wide variety of elevation data options from their elevation product suite. Their data is suitable for oil & gas terrain analysis, military activity, and planning or updating infrastructure networks. Airbus offers more comprehensive elevation data options from both optical stereo and SAR data which provides highly accurate information for any location on earth, regardless of slope, location, light or cloud conditions.

1 METER TO 30 METER DSM & DTM

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Highly Precise Altimetric Information

Elevation1 is ideally suited for any areas with little vegetation and/or no buildings. Elevation4 is ideally suited for any kind of relief (urban or environmental). Production on demand for your Area of Interest.

KEY FEATURES:

Accurate: Based on matching of very high resolution optical stereo imagery
Two Models: Digital Surface Models (DSM) including the "first surface" elevations and Digital Terrain Models (DTM) representing the bare Earth elevation available
Compliant: Suitable to HRE40 (E4) / HRE10 (E1) standards (military standards (NGA))
Tailored: Production on demand for your Area of Interest
Elevation1 DSM Data Sheet
Elevation1 DTM Data Sheet
Elevation4 DSM Data Sheet
Elevation4 DTM Data Sheet

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Airbus Defense & Space’s WorldDEM™

WorldDEM™ provides a global (pole-to-pole) dataset of unprecedented quality, accuracy and coverage. The entire land surface of the earth has been captured by high-resolution radar to map the entire planet consistently, accurately, and completely providing the first standardized worldwide DEM. This includes remote, inaccessible and perpetually cloudy areas. The X-band radar collection method is independent of light and weather so every single place on earth is covered.

WorldDEM Data Sheet

Resolution: 12 meter post spacing
Projection: UTM / Geographic
Datum: WGS 84
Format: GeoTIFF and others
Dates: 2011 – present

Samples

DSM Oxford, UK (surface) 6.2 MB
DTM Oxford, UK (Bare Earth) 6.8 MB

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Large-Area DEMs at a High Accuracy

Elevation8 is derived from SPOT 6 and SPOT 7 stereo and tri-stereo optical satellite data and provides an optimized fit for the needs of mapping or oil & gas applications, particularly when large-area coverage is required.

The satellite’s optimized combination of wide-area coverage and high-resolution image acquisition, supports the rapid collection of imagery and delivery of products. The models are available tailored exactly to your Area of Interest starting at a minimum of just 1,000 square kilometers.

KEY FEATURES:

Accurate: Based on matching of high-resolution optical stereo or tri stereo imagery, up to 3 meter vertical accuracy at 8 meter posting
Tailored: Production on-demand for your Area of Interest
Two Models: Digital Surface Models (DSM) including the "first surface" elevations and Digital Terrain Models (DTM) representing the bare Earth elevation available
Compliant: Suitable to HRE80 (military standard (NGA)) specifications

RESOURCES:

GeoElevation Data Sheet

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Worldwide 3D Geographic Reference Database

Elevation30 is a unique worldwide 3D geographic reference database specifically designed for large area coverage, addressing mapping, GIS and military needs.

Derived from optical satellite data, merged with radar data especially over cloudy areas, Elevation30 features greater coverage independent of terrain characteristics and weather conditions.

KEY FEATURES:

Available: More than 80 million square kilometers worldwide off-the-shelf
Accurate: Up to 6 meter horizontal and 6 meter vertical accuracy at 30 meter grid spacing
Standardized: Based on DTED2 standards (military standard) with competitive pricing
Reliable: Quality masks and specified to military standards

RESOURCES:

GeoElevation Data Sheet

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PlanetObserver

The PlanetObserver imagery and digital elevation model data are excellent sources of regional and global data. Each set delivers consistent results that can be utilized for large regional basemaps for any project. The DEM and imagery align for 3D project efforts and provide reliable measurements for any area on earth.

UP-TO-DATA, CLOUD-FREE DATA

PlanetDEM 30 Plus is a reliable multi-source digital elevation product offering a global coverage at 30-meter resolution and providing seamless, reliable and accurate data, ready-to-use in all professional applications.

PlanetDEM 30-Meter DSM Data Sheet

Resolution: 30 meter grid spacing
Vertical Accuracy: Down to 1:50,000
Sources: SRTM 1 Arc-Second, ASTER GDEM v2, NSIDC, AGDC, CDED, cartographic sources
Projection: Geographic
Datum: WGS 84
Format: FTP or hard drive

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PlanetObserver’s PlanetSAT Global Imagery Basemap is a unique ready-to-use global basemap layer perfect for all visualization and simulation applications, GIS solutions, both for civil and military purposes.

PlanetSAT 15-Meter Imagery Data Sheet

Resolution: 15-meter grid spacing
Vertical Accuracy: Down to 1:50,000
Sources: Landsat 8 for 40% of the world, Landsat 7
Projection: Geographic
Datum: WGS 84
Format: GeoTIFF, ECW

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Elevation Data Services

L3Harris provides a wide range of high-quality professional and custom elevation data services. Highly skilled staff of photogrammetrists, programmers, and imagery scientists will work with you to deliver turnkey, corelated data products on time and on budget.

Digital Terrain Models

A Digital Terrain Model (DTM) represents the earth’s surface without objects like vegetation and buildings. Small footprint stereo pairs with significant overlap are used to automatically generate 3D mass point terrain data and the points are edited using triangulated stereo images.

Highly accurate engineering grade bare earth DTMs from aerial and drone imagery
Automated mass point generation and stereo derived breaklines
Hydro enforcement and road flattening

Dense Digital Surface Models

A Digital Surface Model (DSM) represents the Earth’s surface and also includes vegetation and man-made objects.

High-resolution DSM at one post per pixel
High-fidelity DSM with sharp edges
Smooth building and ground surfaces
Utilization of multiple sources such as pseudo stereo and true stereo imagery simultaneously
Hydro enforcement and road flattening
High volume scalability

Spatial Resolution of Elevation	Map Scale Equivalent	Horizontal Accuracy (CE90 – Circular Error with 90% Confidence)	3D Mass Points
0.25 ft.	1:600 (1” = 50’)	1.5 ft.	3D mass points, 1–10 ft. density, and terrain breaklines
0.5 ft.	1:1200 (1” = 100’)	1.0 ft.	3D mass points, 5–15 ft. density, and terrain breaklines
1.0 ft.	1:2400 (1” = 200’)	2.0 ft.	3D mass points, 10–25 ft. density, and terrain breaklines
1.5 ft.	1:4800 (1” = 400’)	2.5 ft.

3D Terrain Elevation

TrueTerrain orthomosaic imagery can be draped over a digital elevation surface, creating a realistic 3D textured terrain optimized for realtime visualization and analysis.

Multiple supported industry standard formats available, including OpenFLT, OBJ, and more

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Related Capabilities

Geospatial Data & Imagery

Leverage our domain expertise to get the best geospatial data for your project.

Satellite Imagery

L3Harris has partnered with the leading satellite imagery providers to offer a wide variety of imagery resolutions from 30cm to 15m data for any location in the world.

See the difference in quality between 6” (left) and 1’ imagery (right). Hexagon imagery from 2016 in LA County, CA.

Aerial Imagery

L3Harris offers the best commercially available aerial imagery and maps.

Vector Data

Work with us to find the best commercially available vector data for your project.

TrueTerrain™ Visual Simulation Products

Global geospatial data and imagery solutions for visual simulation and training.

Related News

In support of the intelligence community, L3Harris is working with IARPA to provide cutting-edge technology for its HAYSTAC program to characterize human mobility and identify anomalous behavior.

Press release | 05. 22. 2023

L3Harris Receives Contract to Advance Technology for Intelligence Community

L3Harris Technologies received an Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) contract to provide technology, including modeling and simulation studies, that will help characterize and predict human mobility.