Data Processing
Data Processing
To calculate precise ice surface elevations and changes in elevation, the altimeter range measurements need to be referenced to a common datum and corrected for tracker misalignment of the waveform due to inter-pulse variations, atmospheric delays, solid earth and ocean tides, and slope-induced errors. The corrected altimeter range measurement is then subtracted from a
precision orbit to calculate a corrected surface height. The follwing table shows the corrections, in order of their magnitude, used in the
data processing flow.
| Correction Name |
Description |
Magnitude (m) |
Manner applied to surface height |
| Slope Correction |
Corrects for slope-induced errors. |
0 to 150 |
(-) |
| Retracking |
Corrects for tracker lag. |
-15 to 15 |
(-) |
| Tropospheric Refraction |
Corrects for signal delay due to pressure variations
and water vapor in the troposphere. |
1.5 to 2.5 |
(+) |
| Ionospheric Refraction |
Corrects for signal delay due to charged particles in the ionosphere. |
.02 to .10 |
(+) |
| Tides (ocean and solid earth) |
Removes earth and ocean dynamics. |
-3 to 3 |
(-) |
