6.1. Applications Frequently Asked Questions

Does sea state influence the measurement of the satellite-sea surface range ?
Sea state influence the measurement of the satellite-sea surface range because the altimeter is sensitive to sea surface elements perpendicular to the target line. These elements are more frequently in the wave trough than in the crest, so the mean height of these elements doesn't match the geometric mean height of all sea surface elements that make the mean sea level (electromagnetic bias). In this way, the altimetric-measured mean is shifted toward wave trough, and moreover if waves are high.

How to compute absolute dynamic topography / abolute sea surface heights
Dynamic topography (or absolute sea surface height) is the sea surface height with respect to geoid. It can be computed as the sum of sea level anomalies (i.e. the variable part of sea surface height) and a mean dynamic topography.
Absolute Dynamic Topography = Sea Level Anomalies + Mean Dynamic Topography
= Sea Surface Height - geoid

Can I have altimetric measurements near the coast?
See Coastal applications