Estimating the sea state bias of the TOPEX and POSEIDON altimeters from crossover differences

TOPEX (Ku band) and POSEIDON altimeter measurements at crossover points are used to estimate the sea state bias (SSB) of these two instruments. Different SSB models are tested, ranging from a constant fraction of the significant wave height (SWH) to more elaborate models involving up to four adjustable parameters. For TOPEX, the data show a decrease in the magnitude of the relative bias (SSB/SWH) with SWH. This behavior is well reproduced using a simple empirical model with two adjustable parameters. The three-parameter SSB model used in the NASA geophysical data records does well in explaining the wind-induced variations of the bias. A model including four adjustable parameters is needed to account for both the wind- and SWH­ related variability of the SSB. POSEIDON data analysis reveals a significantly larger SSB than for TOPEX. This bias seems to consist of a skewness plus tracker bias of -2 to -3% of SWH superimposed on a natural EM bias whose wind- and SWH-related variations are similar to those of TOPEX.

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