A simulation of satellite altimeter return pulses from three-dimensional ocean waves

Generates 3D ocean waves numerically and evaluates the pulse train backscattered from them. The pulse train needs to have the same statistical properties as the real ones, e.g. the pulse trains obtained by SKYLAB and SEASAT altimeters. The authors use the raw scattering data for a known model of ocean waves, obtain the pulse train by computer simulation, calculate the mean pulse response and the pulse-to-pulse correlation coefficient, compare their results with data of the current altimeters and investigate the validity of the computer simulation. The authors assume that the ocean wave models are characterized by the Pierson-Moskowitz spectrum of the deep sea. The authors then approximate the spectrum by using more than 11 line spectra. Evaluating the characteristics of the mean pulse response and the pulse-to-pulse correlation coefficient, the authors consider the efficacy of this simulation and the improvement in the computation time.