AnewSuboptimalMaximumLikelihoodEstimation(SMLE)algorithmbasedonfull-derampmodelanditsimplementationinsatellite-borneradaraltimeterarepresented,withemphasisontheinfluenceofboththereturnfluctuationandthereceivernoiseonheightandslopeestimationprecision.Someconclusionsareobtainedandverifiedbycomputersimulation.