A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Retracking of SARAL/AltiKa Radar Altimetry Waveforms for Optimal Gravity Field Recovery
The accuracy of the marine gravity field derived from satellite altimetry depends on dense track spacing as well as high range precision. Here, we investigate the range precision that can be achieved using a new shorter wavelength Ka-band altimeter AltiKa aboard the SARAL spacecraft. We agree with a previous study that found that the range precision given in the SARAL/AltiKa Geophysical Data Records is more precise than that of Ku-band altimeter by a factor of two. Moreover, we show that two-pass retracking can further improve the range precision by a factor of 1.7 with respect to the 40 Hz-retracked data (item of range_40 hz) provided in the Geophysical Data Records. The important conclusion is that a dedicated Ka-band altimeter-mapping mission could substantially improve the global accuracy of the marine gravity field with complete coverage and a track spacing of <6 km achievable in ∼1.3 years. This would reveal thousands of uncharted seamounts on the ocean floor as well as important tectonic features such as microplates and abyssal hill fabric.
Retracking of SARAL/AltiKa Radar Altimetry Waveforms for Optimal Gravity Field Recovery
The accuracy of the marine gravity field derived from satellite altimetry depends on dense track spacing as well as high range precision. Here, we investigate the range precision that can be achieved using a new shorter wavelength Ka-band altimeter AltiKa aboard the SARAL spacecraft. We agree with a previous study that found that the range precision given in the SARAL/AltiKa Geophysical Data Records is more precise than that of Ku-band altimeter by a factor of two. Moreover, we show that two-pass retracking can further improve the range precision by a factor of 1.7 with respect to the 40 Hz-retracked data (item of range_40 hz) provided in the Geophysical Data Records. The important conclusion is that a dedicated Ka-band altimeter-mapping mission could substantially improve the global accuracy of the marine gravity field with complete coverage and a track spacing of <6 km achievable in ∼1.3 years. This would reveal thousands of uncharted seamounts on the ocean floor as well as important tectonic features such as microplates and abyssal hill fabric.
Retracking of SARAL/AltiKa Radar Altimetry Waveforms for Optimal Gravity Field Recovery
Zhang, Shengjun (author) / Sandwell, David T
Marine geodesy ; 40
2017
Article (Journal)
English
Retracking of SARAL/AltiKa Radar Altimetry Waveforms for Optimal Gravity Field Recovery
| Online Contents | 2016
The SARAL/AltiKa Altimetry Satellite Mission
| Online Contents | 2015
Potential of SARAL/AltiKa for Inland Water Applications
| Online Contents | 2015
Sea Ice Leads Detection Using SARAL/AltiKa Altimeter
| Online Contents | 2015