What is Digital Surface Model

Jul 03, 2023

Digital Surface Model (DSM) refers to a ground elevation model that includes the heights of surface buildings, bridges and trees. Compared with DEM, DEM only contains the elevation information of the terrain and does not include other surface information. DSM is based on DEM and further covers the elevation of other surface information except the ground. In some areas where there is a demand for building height, it has received a lot of attention.

DSM represents the most realistic expression of ground undulations and can be widely used in various industries. For example, in forest areas, it can be used to detect the growth of forests; in urban areas, DSM can be used to check the development of cities; especially well-known cruise missiles, which not only require digital ground models, but also digital surface models. Only in this way can it be possible for cruise missiles to make way for mountains when they meet mountains and for forests when they meet forests during low-altitude flight.