THE RANGE ERROR STATISTICS OF A SATELLITE RADAR ALTIMETER.

Abstract

A radar altimeter with one meter accuracy has been proposed for a geodetic and oceanographic satellite to measure the mean level of the surface. It is reported by Pierson that an altimeter with such an accuracy could detect (a) intermediate and smaller scale geoid features, (b) local sea surface slopes due to strong ocean current, (c) tides storm surges and tsunamis, and (d) mean sea level. Existing techniques for measuring time delay in electronic circuits are more accurate than required in the proposed system, so the primary errors are those associated with the signal fading caused by scattering from extended targets such as the ocean's surface and by the biasing effects caused by the variations in sea state. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1969
Accession Number
AD0699186

Entities

People

  • Han L. Lee

Organizations

  • University of Kansas

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Altimeters
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Electronic Circuits
  • Errors
  • Ocean Currents
  • Radar Altimeters
  • Sea Level
  • Sea Level Rise
  • Storm Surges

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Radio communications and signal processing.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space