WAVEFORM CLASSIFICATION AND RETRACKING OF JASON-2 AND JASON-3 IN HALMAHERA SEA

The accuracy of sea surface heights (SSHs) estimation from satellite altimeters is strongly influenced by the microwave reflected signals (or waveforms). Waveforms in open oceans generally have ideal shapes following Brown (1977) model. However, coastal and shallow waters, are disturbed lands, thus resulting complicated waveforms (non-Brown). Non-Brown produce inaccurate SSH estimations; therefore, specialized protocols such as waveform classification retracking crucial when attempting to accurate estimations. In this study, Jason-2 Jason-3 Halmahera were classified retracked using several algorithms, Offset Centre Gravity (OCOG), Ice, Threshold, Improved Threshold. results showed that Sea had ten generic classes with dominant class Browns. validation all retrackers (except OCOG) value correlations exceeding 0.75, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) smaller than 25 cm at a distance 5-20 km land. Threshold 10% was most common retracker appeared highest improvement percentage (IMP), meanwhile Ice consistently produced best correlation (0.86) lowest RMSE (16cm). can improve ocean (standard) retracker.