Modified Stokes' kernel versus window technique: Comparison of optimum combination of gravity field wavelengths in geoid computation

Abstract

Different approaches for combining the gravity field wavelengths in geoid computations have been investigated during the last two decades. The window technique has been suggested to get rid of the double consideration of the topographic-isostatic masses within the data window in the framework of the remove-restore technique. The modified Stokes' kernel has been suggested to possibly combine the local data signals with the global geopotential models. Both techniques have been used in computing a gravimetric geoid for Austria. A wide comparison between modified Stokes' kernel and window techniques has been carried out within this investigation in the framework of the geoid computation. The results proved that the reduced gravity anomalies using the window technique are the smoothest, un-biased and have the smallest range. The modified Stokes kernel technique gives the best fit to the GPS/levelling derived geoid. The window technique gives, however, fairly better results than the Stokes' un-modified kernel technique.