Calibrating satellite altimetry measurements of geoidal height

摘要

Satellite-altimetry measurements of ocean water height are calibrated by measuring an ocean water height by using satellite- altimetry at one location during a time period, measuring another ocean water height during the same time period against a known reference on a fixed offshore structure at another location near the first location, and comparing these two sets of measurements. One way of measuring ocean water height against a known reference point on a fixed offshore structure is by measuring the time it takes for pulse of energy to travel from a transmitter at that reference point to the sea surface, and back to a receiver. Another way of measuring ocean water height against a known reference point is by using water-sensitive sensors placed on the fixed offshore structure at known distances from the known reference point.