This section describes the CloudSat external interfaces and the data/information that is passed to and from each element. The CloudSat External Interface Diagram provides a graphical display of each interface element.
CPR Level 1B Team Interface:
The CPR instrument team has the responsibility for developing and testing the software applications that will be used to process CloudSat Level 0 data to Level 1B. The CPR instrument team also provides ICD's, a process description document, production quality code modules, and test data sets. The CPR Level 1B team will maintain at least one representative on the Standard Data Products Working Group (SDPWG) roster. The SDPWG meets periodically to oversee the development, implementation, and modification of all Standard Data Products. The SDPWG is made up of representatives of the Science Team, Algorithm Developers, Data Processing Center, JPL Ground Segment, and JPL Instrument team. The SDPWG will review all major software upgrades and will report to the PI and general Science Team at all Science Team Meetings.
CloudSat Science Team Interface:
The CloudSat Science Teams have the responsibility for developing and testing the software applications that will be used to produce the level 2 products specified in the CloudSat Science Requirement document. CIRA has the responsibility for installing those applications on computer workstations that will reside at CIRA and be used to perform the actual data processing.
The CloudSat Science Teams will deliver ICD's, process description documents, production quality code modules, and test data sets to the DPC. They will provide CIRA with specific details of input data requirements for both CloudSat and ancillary data and will arrange for the procurement of all non-CloudSat data. CIRA will provide on-line access to all level 0, 1, and 2 CloudSat data and ancillary data for a minimum of 30 days.
The Science Team will have at least two representatives on the Standard Data Products Working Group (SDPWG) roster.
USAF RTD&E Support Center (RSC) Interface:
Data will pass from the RSC to CIRA via ftp transfer. CIRA will "pull" the data from the RSC, then delete the data on the RSC server when it has been put to tape at the DPC. (Note: The RSC will keep a copy of all data transferred for approximately 30 days.) If Internet bandwidth is sufficient, the entire CloudSat data stream will be sent electronically (the estimated data volume is under .5 GB per day).
The USAF's RSC will provide CloudSat data downlink through worldwide SGLS (S-band) antenna coverage via the Air Force Satellite Control Network.
The RSC will provide the DPC all of the CloudSat Science and Engineering data that are required to produce the CloudSat level 1 and level 2 products. The RSC will decommutate, eu-convert, and limits check the engineering data and extract the portion of the SSOH that is required by the DPC. These data will be provided to the DPC in a comma-delimited text file. CPR Science Data will be passed to the RSC as raw data. The DPC will further process the CPR Science data to level 0 by removing duplicate packets and time-ordering the raw data.
Ball Aerospace Interface:
The CloudSat spacecraft (RS-2000 bus) is built by Ball Aerospace.
Ball Aerospace will interface directly with the RSC to provide command tables that are required to control the spacecraft.
The primary interface with CIRA is to provide documentation regarding the procedures for downlink of data and the logic used for attaching time information to CloudSat science data and the spacecraft state of health data streams.
General Science Community:
The DPC will provide on-line access to CloudSat Standard Data Products via a web-based data distribution interface.
NASA Goddard DAAC (MODIS):
The DPC will receive MODIS data products, and associated documentation for those products, from the MODIS DAAC.
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF):
The DPC will receive ECMWF data products, and associated documentation for those products, from the European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecasting. These products are required input for all level 2 processing. Appendix C contains additional information about ECMWF Auxiliary Data
NASA Langley CALIPSO DAAC:
The DPC will receive CALIPSO Lidar data products, and associated documentation for those products, from the CALIPSO (Langley) DAAC. These products are required input for two level 2 data products. Appendix D contains additional information about CALIPSO Auxiliary Data.