Estimation of gravity field parameters by a multiple input/output system

The recovery of gravity field parameters using various heterogeneous data i s performed according to the input/output system theory (IOST) method. The combination of different data sets is carried out by the application of a m ultiple input - multiple output system. The theory of the algorithm is pres ented and some conclusions on the assumptions made for the data properties are drawn. Comparisons between a combined system and individual uncorrelate d systems are made and the proper use of the data sets in each case is disc ussed. Finally, an application is presented, where input data, such as ship borne gravity anomalies and sea surface heights (SSHs) derived from differe nt satellite missions, are optimally combined in order to estimate marine g eoid heights and sea surface topography (SST). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.