Global Altimeter Processing Scheme. User manual: v1

This document defines the specific data sources, formats and corrections used for the GAPS (Global Altimeter Processing Scheme) v1 data. Content Overview Section 1: Introduces the conventions used in this document and the GAPS data, briefly describes the altimeter missions included in the GAPS and defines the sources for the altimeter data. Section 2: Defines the GAPS data files formats. Section 3: Defines the GAPS fields. Section 4: Explains the Quality Control Procedures and Corrections applied to the data. Section 5: Provides comments and advice on the use of the GAPS data. Section 6: References. Notes on problems or changes to the standard GAPS for specific satellites and cycles and be found in the "GAPS Data Cycle Information" web pages (http://www.soc.soton.ac.uk/ALTIMETER/cycles.html).