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Altimeter height measurement error introduced by the presence of variable cloud and rain attenuationIt has recently been recognized that spatially inhomogeneous clouds and rain can substantially affect the height precision obtainable from a spaceborne radar altimeter system. Through computer simulation, it has been found that typical levels of cloud and rain intensities and associated spatial variabilities may degrade altimeter precision at 13.5 GHz and, in particular, cause severe degradation at 35 GHz. This degradation in precision is a result of radar signature distortion caused by variable attenuation over the beam limited altimeter footprint. Because attenuation effects increase with frequency, imprecision caused by them will significantly impact on the frequency selection of future altimeters. In this paper the degradation of altimeter precision introduced by idealized cloud and rain configurations as well as for a realistic rain configuration as measured with a ground based radar is examined.
Document ID
19860043873
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Monaldo, F. M.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Goldhirsh, J.
(Johns Hopkins University Laurel, MD, United States)
Walsh, E. J.
(NASA Wallops Flight Center Wallops Island, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
February 15, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 91
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation
Accession Number
86A28611
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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