This paper describes how high-precision digital elevation models (DEMs) are
obtained over the Wadden Sea using the AeS-1 airborne interferometric rada
r. The Wadden Sea is an intertidal zone along the coast having height varia
tions less than 5 m over 30 km and is free of vegetation. The resulting DEM
has a grid spacing of 2.5 m and an absolute height accuracy of 5 cm root m
ean square (rms), as verified by theodolite measurements. This paper descri
bes the radar system, the processing techniques, the test area, the results
, and the verification procedure.