Sea surface altimetry using GNSS-R

Abstract

The Global Navigation Satellite Systems Reflectometry (GNSS-R) aims to retrieve information about the Earth surface by analyzing the signals emitted by GNSS transmitters (such as GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO and COMPASS...), and captured by an elevated platform after the signal has rebounded off of the oceans, lakes, land or ice and snow. The sea surface altimetry is an essential oceanic application of the GNSS-R. In this thesis, a method is introduced to solve this altimetric problem. Besides, a set of experimental data based on the campaign "Gold Test" carried out over the Mediterranean Sea in 2005 provided by the Institut de Ciències de l’Espai (ICE) is tested.