Title :
The delay-Doppler radar altimeter: robust and improved measurement capabilities
Author :
Raney, R.K. ; Jensen, J.R. ; Porter, D.L.
Author_Institution :
Appl. Phys. Lab., Johns Hopkins Univ., Laurel, MD, USA
Abstract :
A delay-Doppler radar altimeter exploits coherent signal processing in addition to incoherent waveform averaging to achieve significantly better measurement precision and instrument efficiency than are possible from a conventional incoherent instrument such as TOPEX or Jason-1. The required processing can be built into the on-board system, whose output waveforms yield geophysical parameters with the analysis algorithms already developed for conventional altimetric data. The approach enables new architectures, ranging from a single-frequency geodetic instrument (Abyss-Lite), to a three-satellite constellation of TOPEX-class altimeters (WITTEX) small enough to fit into one launch vehicle.
Keywords :
Doppler radar; geodesy; geophysical signal processing; oceanographic equipment; radar altimetry; remote sensing by radar; Abyss-Lite; Jason-1; TOPEX-class altimeter; WITTEX; analysis algorithm; architecture; coherent signal processing; conventional altimetric data; conventional incoherent instrument; delay-Doppler radar altimeter; geophysical parameter; incoherent waveform averaging; instrument efficiency; measurement precision; on-board system; output waveform; single-frequency geodetic instrument; three-satellite constellation; Algorithm design and analysis; Geophysical measurements; Geophysical signal processing; Instruments; Propagation delay; Radar measurements; Radar signal processing; Robustness; Signal processing algorithms; Vehicles;
Conference_Titel :
OCEANS 2003. Proceedings
Conference_Location :
San Diego, CA, USA
Print_ISBN :
0-933957-30-0
DOI :
10.1109/OCEANS.2003.178048
