The 2013 Ibiza calibration campaign of Jason-2 and Saral altimeters

Abstract

This study presents the results of the 2013 Ibiza (Western Mediterranean) calibration campaign of Jason-2 and SARAL altimeters. It took place from 14 to 16 September 2013 and was composed of two phases: the calibration of the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) buoys to estimate the antenna height of each of them and absolute calibration to estimate the altimeter bias (i.e., the difference of sea level measured by radar altimetry and GNSS). The first one was achieved in the Ibiza harbor at a close vicinity of the Ibiza tide gauge and the second one was at ˜ 40 km at the northwest of Ibiza Island at a crossover point of Jason-2 and SARAL nominal groundtracks. Five buoys were used to delineate the crossover region and their measurements interpolated at the exact location of each overflight. The overflights occurred two consecutive days: 15 and 16 September 2013 for Jason-2 and SARAL respectively. The GNSS data were processed using precise point positioning technique. The biases found are of (-0.1 ± 0.9) and (-3.1 ± 1.5) cm for Jason-2 and SARAL respectively.