| TOVS/ATOVS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduction
The TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) system consists of three separate instruments: the High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder Version 2 (HIRS/2), the Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) and the Stratospheric Sounding Unit (SSU). Each instrument has different characteristics, resolutions, scan properties, etc. which are described below. This system is onboard the NOAA 6 through NOAA 14 and TIROS-N satellites. TOVS was designed so that the data from the HIRS/2, SSU and MSU instruments could be combined to compute: 1) atmospheric temperature profiles from the surface to 10 millibars (mb), 2) water vapor content at three levels of the atmosphere, and 3) total ozone content. Improved accuracy of retrieval profiles and a better definition of the water vapor profile, even in the presence of clouds, are the objectives of this system. In the Advanced TOVS (ATOVS) system, the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A) and the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-B (AMSU-B) replace the MSU and the SSU, while the High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder Version 3(HIRS/3) replaces the HIRS/2. All three ATOVS instruments, AMSU-A, AMSU-B, and HIRS/3, are onboard the NOAA KLM series of satellites which fields NOAA 15, NOAA 16 and NOAA 17. Each instrument has different characteristics, resolutions, scan properties, etc. which are described below. |
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| TOVS
Detailed information on the TOVS system can be found in the NOAA POD Guide located at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/podug/index.htm The High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder Version 2 (HIRS/2) is part of the TOVS instrument suite flown onboard the TIROS-N and NOAA 6 through NOAA 14 satellites. The HIRS/2 is a step-scanned multi-channel spectrometer with 20 channels, 19 of which are in the infrared region of the spectrum with the remaining channel in the visible region. The HIRS/2 Level 1b data include 13 bit precision data values from these 20 spectral channels. The visible data values (Channel 20) may be converted into albedos and the IR data (Channels 1-19) may be converted into brightness temperatures using the calibration information which is appended but not applied to each scan line. Latitudes and longitudes for each of the 56 Earth FOVs in each scan are included as are time tags. Users wanting HIRS/2 data on-line may specify only whole data sets through the Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System since, at this time, there is no select capability available for HIRS/2 data. Summary of Parameters:
In addition to profiles of temperature and moisture, the HIRS/2 data are used for a diverse range of applications including the derivation of surface skin temperature, sea surface temperature, outgoing longwave radiation, cloud fraction, cloud-top height, total integrated column ozone, precipitation estimates, and wind speed and direction. TOVS was designed so that the data from the HIRS/2, SSU and MSU instruments could be combined to compute: 1) atmospheric temperature profiles from the surface to 10 millibars (mb), 2) water vapor content at three levels of the atmosphere, and 3) total ozone content. Improved accuracy of retrieval profiles and a better definition of the water vapor profile, even in the presence of clouds, are the objectives of this system. HIRS/2 Data Acquisition and Description The NOAA TOVS processing flow begins with sensor data receipt by the Command and Data Acquisition (CDA) stations where the data are re-broadcast via communications satellites to NOAA/NESDIS in Suitland, MD. The ephemeris data (orbital reference information) are funneled through the Advanced Earth Location Data System (AELDS) software. Earth location and calibration data are appended, but not applied, to the data as part of the Level 1b processing. The earth locations are computed for specific pixels using the data time corrected for clock drift, if any. Shortly after arriving at NOAA/NESDIS, the data are made available at the Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS). Global coverage is available for the HIRS/2 data which have an Instantaneous Field of View (IFOV) with a 17.7 km diameter at nadir and a 59.5 km cross track by 30.4 km along-track footprint at the end of the scan, assuming a nominal altitude of 833 km. The HIRS/2 instrument provides a global (pole-to-pole) on-board collection of data from all 20 spectral channels. The 99 degree scan equates to a swath width of 2239.6 km (at the Equator) centered on the subsatellite track. As a result of the scan geometry, there is variable underlap between steps and scans. The overall coverage of the archived HIRS/2 Level 1b data base is shown in the following table. However, associated with equipment malfunctions, there may be short gaps in the time ranges.
Each scan of the HIRS/2 views the Earth for a period of 6.4 seconds. The analog data output from the sensor is digitized on-board the satellite at a rate of 2,880 bits per second. At this rate, there are 288 bits per step (step time = 100 milliseconds). Each step corresponds to an angle of scanner rotation of 1.8 degrees and there are 56 steps per scan. Because the satellite is sun-synchronous, visible data revisit time is daily. Infrared imaging is accomplished twice daily with the second visit occurring during the pass over the dark side of the Earth. Instrument operation is continuous. The HIRS/2 sensor can be commanded to automatically enter a calibration mode every 256 seconds. When the instrument is in the calibration mode, the mirror (starting from the beginning of a scan line) rapidly slews to a space view and samples all channels for the equivalent time of one complete scan line of 56 scan steps. Next, the mirror is moved to a position where it views a cold calibration target and data are taken for the equivalent of 56 scan steps. The mirror is then stepped to view an internal warm target for another 56 scan steps. Upon completion of the HIRS/2 calibration mode, the mirror continues its motion to the home position where it begins normal Earth scan. The total calibration sequence is equivalent to three scan lines (no Earth location data are obtained during this period). Additional calibration information may be found at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/podug/html/c4/sec4-5.htm HIRS/2 Comprehensive Information Additional information on the HIRS/2 can be found in the NOAA Polar Orbiter Data User's Guide at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/podug/html/c4/sec4-1.htm If you need information on the HIRS/3 Instrument, go to HIRS/3. The Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) is part of the TOVS instrument suite flown onboard the TIROS_N and NOAA 6 through NOAA 14 satellites. The MSU is a passive scanning microwave spectrometer with four channels in the 5.5 micron oxygen region. The MSU consists of two four-inch diameter antennas, each having an angular Instantaneous Field of View (IFOV) of 7.5 degrees. Assuming a nominal altitude of 833 km, ground resolution is 124 km at the subpoint, while the distance between adjacent scan lines is 168.1 km at nadir. Data from the four channels are at 12 bit precision and may be converted into brightness temperatures using the calibration information which is appended but not applied. Latitudes and longitudes for each of the Earth FOVs in each scan are included as are time tags. Users wanting MSU data on-line may specify only whole data sets through the Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System since, at this time, there is no select capability available for MSU data. Summary of Parameters:
At an altitude of 833 km:
Because the longer wavelengths of microwaves can penetrate most cloud systems, observations of thermal emission in the microwave region can provide temperatures below clouds. Interpretation of microwave observations is hampered by surface emissivity effects and sensitivity to precipitation. But these mechanisms also open possibilities for sensing precipitation as well as surface properties such as snow, sea ice, and soil moisture. TOVS was designed so that the data from the HIRS/2, SSU and MSU instruments could be combined to compute: 1) atmospheric temperature profiles from the surface to 10 millibars (mb), 2) water vapor content at three levels of the atmosphere, and 3) total ozone content. Improved accuracy of retrieval profiles and a better definition of the water vapor profile, even in the presence of clouds, are the objectives of this system. MSU Data Acquisition and Description The NOAA TOVS processing flow begins with sensor data receipt by the Command and Data Acquisition (CDA) stations where the data are re-broadcast via communications satellites to NOAA/NESDIS in Suitland, MD. The ephemeris data (orbital reference information) are funneled through the Advanced Earth Location Data System (AELDS) software. Earth location and calibration data are appended, but not applied, to the data as part of the Level 1b processing. The earth locations are computed for specific pixels using the data time corrected for clock drift, if any. Shortly after arriving at NOAA/NESDIS, the data are made available at the Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS). The MSU provides a global (pole-to-pole) on-board collection of data from all four spectral channels. The two four-inch diameter MSU antennas scan 47.35 degrees on either side of nadir in 11 steps. Assuming a nominal altitude of 833 km, the 7.5 degree antenna beamwidth results in a ground resolution at the subpoint of 109.3 km, while the Instantaneous Field of View at the end of the scan is 323.1 km cross-track by 178.8 km along-track. The swath width is 2,348 km, while the resolution at the subpoint creates an underlap of 115 km between adjacent scan lines. The overall coverage of the archived MSU Level 1b data base is shown in the following table. However, associated with equipment malfunctions, there may be short gaps in the time ranges.
Each scan of the MSU views the Earth for a period of 25.6 seconds. The analog data output from the sensor is digitized on-board the satellite at a rate of 320 bits per second. At this rate, there are 579.2 bits per step (step time = 1.84 seconds). Each step corresponds to an angle of scanner rotation of 9.47 degrees. There are 11 steps per scan. Because the satellite is sun-synchronous, imaging is accomplished twice daily with the second visit occurring during the pass over the dark side of the Earth. Instrument operation is continuous. Unlike the HIRS/2 and SSU instruments, the MSU has no special calibration sequence that interrupts normal scanning. The calibration data are included in a scan line of data. From the last Earth view position, the reflector rapidly moves four steps to view space, 10 additional steps to view the housing, and then returns to the home position to begin another scan line. Since each scan line requires 25.6 seconds, synchronization of MSU within the other two TOVS instruments occurs every 128 seconds (5 scan lines). Additional calibration information may be found at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/podug/html/c4/sec4-5.htm Additional information on the MSU can be found in the NOAA Polar Orbiter Data User's Guide at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/podug/html/c4/sec4-3.htm The Stratospheric Sounding Unit (SSU) is part of the TOVS instrument suite flown onboard the TIROS-N and NOAA 6 through NOAA 14 satellites. The SSU is a step-scanned infrared spectrometer employing a selective absorption technique to make measurements at the top of the Earth's atmosphere in three channels in the 15 micron carbon dioxide absorption band. The three SSU channels have the same frequency but different cell pressures. The 10.0 degree angular Instantaneous Field of View (IFOV) gives a resolution of 147.3 km at nadir. The distance between adjacent scan lines is 62.3 km at nadir. Data are from three channels at 12 bit precision and may be converted into brightness temperatures using the calibration information which is appended but not applied. Latitudes and longitudes for each of the eight Earth FOVs in each scan are included as are time tags. Users wanting SSU data on-line may specify only whole data sets through the Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System since, at this time, there is no select capability available for SSU data. Summary of Parameters
At an altitude of 833 km:
The primary objective of the SSU instrument is to obtain data from which stratospheric (~25-50 km) temperature profiles can be determined. TOVS was designed so that the data from the HIRS/2, SSU and MSU instruments could be combined to compute: 1) atmospheric temperature profiles from the surface to 10 millibars (mb), 2) water vapor content at three levels of the atmosphere, and 3) total ozone content. Improved accuracy of retrieval profiles and a better definition of the water vapor profile, even in the presence of clouds, are the objectives of this system. Satellite observations have been very valuable for establishing the climatology and phenomenology of large scale waves, especially the propagation of Rosby waves in the mid-latitudes. With satellite data, the mean zonal and temporal structures of stratospheric disturbances can be defined and their slow, large-scale variations can be resolved. The general circulation in the stratosphere can be defined largely in terms of radiative forcing and dynamical interaction between large-scale, slowly varying waves and the mean zonal flow. SSU Data Acquisition and Description The NOAA TOVS processing flow begins with sensor data receipt by the Command and Data Acquisition (CDA) stations where the data are re-broadcast via communications satellites to NOAA/NESDIS in Suitland, MD. The ephemeris data (orbital reference information) are funneled through the Advanced Earth Location Data System (AELDS) software. Earth location and calibration data are appended, but not applied, to the data as part of the Level 1b processing. The earth locations are computed for specific pixels using the data time corrected for clock drift, if any. Shortly after arriving at NOAA/NESDIS, the data are made available at the Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS). The cross-track scan of the SSU instrument, combined with the satellite's motion in orbit, provides coverage of a major portion of the Earth's surface. The SSU instrument provides a nearly global (pole-to-pole) on-board collection of data from all three spectral channels. The SSU antennas scan 40.0 degrees on either side of nadir in eight steps. Assuming a nominal altitude of 833 km, the angular Field of View (FOV) of 10.0 degrees results in a ground resolution at the subpoint of 147.3 km diameter, while the IFOV at the end of the scan is 244.0 km cross-track by 186.1 km along-track. The swath width is 1,474 km (at the Equator) centered on the subsatellite track. At nadir, 62.3 km separate consecutive scan lines. The overall coverage of the archived SSU Level 1b data base is shown in the following table. However, associated with equipment malfunctions, there may be short gaps in the time ranges.
Each scan of the SSU views the Earth for a period of 32.0 seconds, including time for the mirror retrace. The analog data output from the sensor are digitized on-board the satellite at a rate of 480 bits per second. At this rate, there are 1920 bits per step (step time = 4.0 seconds). Each step corresponds to an angle of scanner rotation of 10.0 degrees and there are eight steps per scan. Because the satellite is sun-synchronous, imaging is accomplished twice daily with the second visit occurring during the pass over the dark side of the Earth. Instrument operation is continuous. A calibration sequence is initiated every 256 seconds (eight scans) during which the radiometer is, in turn, stepped to view unobstructed space and then to view an internal blackbody of a known temperature. This mode is synchronized with the HIRS/2 instrument. Additional calibration information may be found at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/podug/html/c4/sec4-5.htm Additional information on the SSU can be found in the NOAA Polar Orbiter Data User's Guide at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/podug/html/c4/sec4-2.htm |
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| ATOVS
Detailed information on the ATOVS system can be found in the NOAA KLM User's Guide located at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/index.htm The High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS/3) is part of the ATOVS instrument suite flown onboard the NOAA KLM series of satellites. The HIRS/3 is a discrete stepping, line-scan instrument designed to measure scene radiance in 20 spectral bands to permit the calculation of the vertical temperature profile from the Earth's surface to about 40 km. Multispectral data from one visible channel (0.69 micrometers), seven shortwave channels (3.7 to 4.6 micrometers) and twelve longwave channels (6.5 to 15 micrometers) are obtained from a single telescope and a rotating filter wheel containing twenty individual filters. An elliptical scan mirror provides cross-track scanning of 56 increments of 1.8 degrees. The mirror steps rapidly (<35 msec), then holds at each position while the 20 filter segments are sampled. This action takes place each 100 msec. The instantaneous FOV for each channel is approximately 1.4 degrees in the visible and shortwave IR and 1.3 degrees in the longwave IR band which, from an altitude of 833 kilometers, encompasses an area of 20.3 kilometers and 18.9 kilometers in diameter, respectively, at nadir on the Earth. Users wanting HIRS/3 data on-line may specify only whole data sets through the Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System since, at this time, there is no select capability available for HIRS/3 data. Summary of Parameters
At an altitude of 833 km:
In addition to profiles of temperature and moisture, the HIRS/3 data are used for a diverse range of applications including the derivation of surface skin temperature, sea surface temperature, outgoing longwave radiation, cloud fraction, cloud-top height, total integrated column ozone, precipitation estimates, and wind speed and direction. The HIRS/3 instrument is used as part of the NOAA sounding instrument suite which was changed significantly starting with the NOAA-15 satellite. The four-channel MSU instrument was replaced by the 20-channel AMSU instrument suite, made up of AMSU-A for temperature and moisture and AMSU-B for moisture. In addition, AMSU-A essentially replaced the function of the SSU instrument. ATOVS uses the HIRS/3 and AMSU-A to generate the retrieved profiles. The AVHRR instrument is used for cloud detection along with the HIRS/3 and AMSU-A. HIRS/3 Data Acquisition and Description The NOAA ATOVS processing flow begins with sensor data receipt by the Command and Data Acquisition (CDA) stations where the data are re-broadcast via communications satellites to NOAA/NESDIS in Suitland, MD where they are processed. Earth location and calibration data are appended, but not applied, to the data as part of the Level 1b processing. The earth locations are computed for specific pixels using the data time corrected for clock drift, if any. Shortly after arriving at NOAA/NESDIS, the data are made available at the Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS). Global coverage is available for the HIRS/3 data which have an Instantaneous Field of View (IFOV) of approximately 1.4 degrees in the visible and shortwave IR and 1.3 degrees in the longwave IR band. From an altitude of 833 kilometers, these translate into a ground IFOV encompassing an area of 20.3 kilometers and 18.9 kilometers in diameter, respectively, at nadir on the Earth. At scan end, a 68.3 km cross-track by 34.8 km along-track footprint is registered for the visible and shortwave IR channels, again assuming a nominal altitude of 833 km. The HIRS/3 instrument provides a global (pole-to-pole) on-board collection of data from all 20 spectral channels. At the equator, the 99 degree scan equates to a swath width of 2,248.8 km to the far edge of the outer FOV centered on the subsatellite track. As a result of the scan geometry, there is variable underlap between steps and scans. The overall coverage of the archived HIRS/3 Level 1b data base is shown in the following table. However, associated with equipment malfunctions, there may be short gaps in the time ranges.
Information on the calibration of the HIRS/3 may be found at:http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/html/c7/sec7-2.htm. HIRS/3 Comprehensive Information Additional information on the HIRS/3 sensor can be found in the NOAA KLM User's Guide at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/html/c3/sec3-2.htm. Details of the HIRS/3 data sets can be found in the NOAA KLM User's Guide at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/html/c8/s831-5.htm. If you need information on the HIRS/2 Instrument, go to HIRS/2. The Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A) is part of the ATOVS instrument suite flown onboard the NOAA KLM series of satellites. The AMSU-A is a multi-channel microwave radiometer used for measuring global atmospheric temperature profiles and for gathering information on atmospheric water in all of its forms, save small ice particles which are transparent at microwave frequencies. AMSU-A is a cross-track, line-scanned instrument designed to measure scene radiances in 15 discrete frequency channels. These measurements permit the calculation of the vertical temperature profile from about 3 millibars (~45 km) to the Earth's surface. At each channel frequency, the antenna beamwidth is a constant 3.3 degrees (at the half power point). Thirty contiguous scene resolution cells are sampled in a stepped-scan fashion every eight seconds with each scan covering 50 degrees on each side of the subsatellite path. The scan pattern and geometric resolution translate to a 50 km diameter cell at nadir and a 2,343 km swath width from the 833 km nominal orbital altitude. The AMSU-A system is implemented in two separate modules: the AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2. AMSU-A1 consists of 12 V-band channels (3 through 14) and one W-band channel (15). This module provides a complete and accurate vertical temperature profile of the atmosphere from the Earth's surface to a height of approximately 45 km. AMSU-A2 contains the two lower frequencies (K-band channel 1 and Ka-band channel 2). This module is used to study atmospheric water in all of its forms with the exception of small ice particles. Summary of Parameters:
At an altitude of 833 km:
The AMSU-A instrument is part of the NOAA sounding instrument suite which was changed significantly starting with the NOAA-15 satellite. The four-channel MSU instrument was replaced by the 20-channel AMSU instrument suite, made up of AMSU-A for temperature and moisture and AMSU-B for moisture. In addition, AMSU-A essentially replaced the function of the SSU instrument. ATOVS uses the HIRS/3 and AMSU-A to generate the retrieved profiles. The AVHRR instrument is used for cloud detection along with the HIRS/3 and AMSU-A. Primarily because of resource limitations, the AMSU-B instrument is currently not part of the ATOVS system. A slightly modified version of the software developed and used to process the SSM/T-2 on the DMSP satellites is used to process the AMSU-B. The AMSU-B system became operational about one year after ATOVS because of satellite antenna interference in the AMSU-B data. Specifically, the AMSU-A is used for measuring global atmospheric temperature profiles and for gathering information on atmospheric water in all of its forms, save small ice particles which are transparent at microwave frequencies. AMSU-A Data Acquisition and Description The NOAA ATOVS processing flow begins with sensor data receipt by the Command and Data Acquisition (CDA) stations where the data are re-broadcast via communications satellites to NOAA/NESDIS in Suitland, MD where they are processed. Earth location and calibration data are appended, but not applied, to the data as part of the Level 1b processing. The earth locations are computed for specific pixels using the data time corrected for clock drift, if any. Shortly after arriving at NOAA/NESDIS, the data are made available at the Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS). Global coverage is available for the AMSU-A data which have an Instantaneous Field of View (IFOV) of approximately 3.3 degrees. From an altitude of 833 kilometers, this translates into a ground IFOV encompassing an area of 48.05 kilometers in diameter at nadir on the Earth. At scan end, a 149.1 km cross-track by 79.4 km along-track footprint is registered, again assuming a nominal altitude of 833 km. At the equator, the 96.66 degree scan equates to a swath width of 2,226.8 km to the far edge of the outer FOV centered on the subsatellite track. The overall coverage of the archived AMSU-A Level 1b data base is shown in the following table. However, associated with equipment malfunctions, there may be short gaps in the time ranges.
The instrument is automatically calibrated each data cycle by measuring both warm and cold calibration targets. Once every 8 seconds, the AMSU-A measures 30 Earth views, the space view twice and the internal blackbody target twice. Additional information on the calibration of the AMSU-A may be found at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/html/c7/sec7-3.htm. AMSU-A Comprehensive Information Additional information on the AMSU-A sensor can be found in the NOAA KLM User's Guide at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/html/c3/sec3-3.htm. Details of the AMSU-A data sets can be found in the NOAA KLM User's Guide at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/html/c8/s831-6.htm. The Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-B (AMSU-B) is a 5 channel microwave radiometer. The purpose of the instrument is to receive and measure radiation from a number of different layers of the atmosphere in order to obtain global data on humidity profiles. It works in conjunction with the AMSU-A instruments to provide a 20 channel microwave radiometer. AMSU-B covers channels 16 through 20. Channels 18, 19 and 20 span the strongly opaque water vapor absorption line at 183 GHz to provide data on the atmosphere's humidity level. Channels 16 and 17, at 89 GHz and 150 GHz, respectively, penetrate through the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. AMSU-B is a cross-track, line scanned instrument designed to measure scene radiances in 5 channels. At each channel frequency, the antenna beamwidth is a constant 1.1 degrees (at the half power point). Ninety contiguous scene resolution cells are sampled in a continuous fashion. Each scan covers roughly 50 degrees on each side of the subsatellite path. The scan pattern and geometric resolution translate to a 16.0 km diameter cell at nadir at a nominal altitude of 833 km. Summary of Parameters:
At an altitude of 833 km:
The AMSU-B instrument is part of the NOAA sounding instrument suite which was changed significantly starting with the NOAA-15 satellite. The four-channel MSU instrument was replaced by the 20-channel AMSU instrument suite, made up of AMSU-A for temperature and moisture and AMSU-B for moisture. In addition, AMSU-A essentially replaced the function of the SSU instrument. ATOVS uses the HIRS/3 and AMSU-A to generate the retrieved profiles. The AVHRR instrument is used for cloud detection along with the HIRS/3 and AMSU-A. Primarily because of resource limitations, the AMSU-B instrument is currently not part of the ATOVS system. A slightly modified version of the software developed and used to process the SSM/T-2 on the DMSP satellites is used to process the AMSU-B. The AMSU-B system became operational about one year after ATOVS because of satellite antenna interference in the AMSU-B data. The overall purpose of AMSU-B is to receive and measure radiation from a number of different layers within the atmosphere in order to obtain global data on humidity profiles. AMSU-B Data Acquisition and Description The NOAA ATOVS processing flow begins with sensor data receipt by the Command and Data Acquisition (CDA) stations where the data are re-broadcast via communications satellites to NOAA/NESDIS in Suitland, MD where they are processed. Earth location and calibration data are appended, but not applied, to the data as part of the Level 1b processing. The earth locations are computed for specific pixels using the data time corrected for clock drift, if any. Shortly after arriving at NOAA/NESDIS, the data are made available at the Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS). Global coverage is available for the AMSU-B data which have an Instantaneous Field of View (IFOV) of approximately 1.1 degrees. From an altitude of 833 kilometers, this translates into a ground IFOV encompassing an area of 16.0 kilometers in diameter at nadir on the Earth. At scan end, a 51.6 km cross-track by 26.9 km along-track footprint is registered, again assuming a nominal altitude of 833 km. At the equator, the 97.9 degree scan equates to a swath width of 2,178.8 km to the far edge of the outer FOV centered on the subsatellite track. The overall coverage of the archived AMSU-B Level 1b data base is shown in the following table. However, associated with equipment malfunctions, there may be short gaps in the time ranges.
The instrument is automatically calibrated each data cycle by measuring both warm and cold calibration targets. Once every 8/3 seconds, the AMSU-B measures 90 Earth views, four space views and four internal blackbody target views. Information on the calibration of the AMSU-B may be found at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/html/c7/sec7-3.htm. AMSU-B Comprehensive Information Additional information on the AMSU-B sensor can be found in the NOAA KLM User's Guide at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/html/c3/sec3-4.htm. Details of the AMSU-B data sets can be found in the NOAA KLM User's Guide at: http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/html/c8/s831-7.htm. |
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