Source/Sensor: Jason-1/Poseidon-2 altimeter

Coverage: Near-Real-Time (1-3 day latency), global oceans

Abstract: IGDR files contain full accuracy altimeter data, with the exception of an interim orbit (accuracy <4 cm), provided within 3 days of data collection. The instruments on Jason-1 make direct observations of the following quantities: altimeter range, significant wave height, ocean radar backscatter cross-section (a measure of wind speed), ionospheric electron content (derived by a simple formula), tropospheric water content, and position relative to the GPS satellite constellation. The IGDR contain all relevant corrections needed to calculate the sea surface height. Sea surface height anomalies are derived from the 1/second IGDRs and are based on the recommended data edit criteria specified in the Jason-1 I/GDR User Handbook.

Data Set Volume: Each cycle is approximately 320 MB. Each pass file is approximately 1.6 MBytes.

PO.DAAC anonymous ftp site: podaac.jpl.nasa.gov

Directory: pub/sea_surface_height/jason/igdr/

Smallest order: 1 pass file via ftp

Std. product: ftp

Formats: Binary data (unix byte-order) with ASCII header