星载激光测高仪通过测量从卫星平台发射的激光脉冲在卫星与地面激光脚点之间的渡越时间计算两者之间的距离。由于光束经过大气层时发生的折射,导致卫星激光测高系统典型的与大气延迟相关的测距误差在数米量级。讨论了大气折射延迟修正的理论与方法,分析比较了各种大气折射率模型,以全球首个对地观测星载激光测高仪系统GLAS系统为例,给出了各种折射率模型的计算偏差,发现在常见温度和湿度范围内Owens375模型是一种精度较高的简化折射率模型;计算了GLAS系统高度角偏离天顶方向不超过10°的情况下,使用简单映射函数与CfA2.2映射函数模型的值,发现其差异不超过0.5 mm。

Satellite laser altimetry system(SLR) measures the distance between the satellite and the surface of the earth by figuring out the transit time of laser pulse. The characteristics ranging error is few meters for a SLR because of the atmospheric refraction delay. The theory and method of atmospheric refraction delay correction are discussed. The various models of atmospheric refraction are analyzed and compared. The atmospheric refraction delay based on different models by using GLASs parameters is calculated. It shows that the model of Owens 375 is with great precise and simplified in most temperature and humidity conditions. The refraction delay corrections in the condition that altitude angle within 10° are calculated by using a simplified mapping function and CfA2.2, and diffrences between them is only 0.5 mm.