I. Introduction
Satellite radar altimetry is a technique used in oceanography to measure sea level on a large scale. The data obtained are of great importance to understand ocean circulation and its variations. The AltiKa project, developed by the French Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), is based on a wideband Ka-band altimeter (35.75 GHz; 500-MHz bandwidth). It will be the first oceanography altimeter to operate at such a high frequency. This unique technical characteristic of the instrument will offer improvements both in terms of spatial and vertical resolutions [1]. The instrument's more accurate measurements should lead to the improved observation of ice, coastal areas, inland waters, and wave height. An Indian Space Research Organization satellite, called Satellite with ARgos and AltiKa (SARAL), will embark the AltiKa altimeter, built by CNES.