Retracking strategy based on waveform Classification and sub-waveform extraction for coastal altimetry along China coastal seas

In order to make improved use of the altimetry waveform data near the China coastal area, we present a new retracker (OceanCS) consists of waveform Classification and Sub-waveform extraction based on coastal altimetry waveform analysis and existing retracking algorithm comparison. The OceanCS retracker combines the advantages of Ocean retracker and OCOG retracker. The new retracker is further compared to other retrakers (Ocean, Ice-2, OCOG, Threshold, Beta5, and GDR product) using one year (Mar. 2006 to Feb. 2007) Jason1 measurement and in-situ tide gauge station Sea Surface Height and buoy Significant Wave Height measurements. Comparison shows that the OceanCS retracker performs better than other trackers. Furthermore, Calculating the SWH by combining two retrackers is a way to compare different retracking algorithms without taking into account the error of the atomosphere and sea state corrections.