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Foelsche & Kirchengast 2002
Foelsche, U. and Kirchengast, G. (2002). A simple “geometric” mapping function for the hydrostatic delay at radio frequencies and assessment of its performance. Geophysical Research Letters 29: doi: 10.1029/2001GL013744. issn: 0094-8276.

The hydrostatic mapping function, m(ϵ), describes the dependence of the hydrostatic path delay on the elevation angle ϵ. We have developed a simple mapping function, where the only free parameter is an effective height of the atmosphere, Hatm, corresponding to about the first two scale heights above the surface. The value of m(ϵ) is given by the ratio of the straight-line ray path length within height Hatm to height Hatm itself. We used simulated delays at GPS (Global Positioning System) frequencies derived from high resolution ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) atmospheric analysis fields to assess the performance of the geometric mapping function relative to well established ones (the Davis, Niell, and Herring mapping functions, respectively). At elevations >6¿ the new mapping function generally exhibits, based on a single parameter, a performance comparable to or better than the other mapping functions.

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Abstract

Keywords
Radio Science, Atmospheric propagation, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Remote sensing, Geodesy and Gravity, Space geodetic surveys, Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Troposphere--composition and chemistry
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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