Overview

The GVAR satellites contain two independent instruments, an imager and a sounder. Imager and sounder data are transmitted in formatted data blocks numbered 0-11. Imager data is transmitted via blocks 0-10; sounder data and 21 types of non-image data are transmitted via block 11. The GVAR Ingestor process writes all data to one megabyte files called Stretched Data Format (SDF) files. Between data writing cycles, the GVAR Ingestor process searches the SDF files for block starts. It stores the search results in one of two index file types, imager index files (.INDX file extension) or sounder index files (.B11 file extension). A new imager index file is created for each new image. A new block 11 index file is created every 10 minutes.

Since there are 22 types of block 11 data, a separate decoder called the GVAR Sounder Decoder is used to process sounder data from the 22 types of block 11 data.

The GVAR Sounder Decoder process reads the BK11 index files that were created by the GVAR ingestor. It decodes the block 11 sounder blocks into McIDAS AREA files, which are written to the /data directory.

Knowledge of the GVAR system and its data characteristics are not essential for routine operation of an SDI. However, if you experience difficulty, familiarity with these characteristics may help you diagnose operational problems. See the GVAR Transmission Format section of the GOES Operations Ground Equipment (OGE) Interface Specification (pdf) document.

Knowledge of the SDI files, their structures, or their naming conventions are not considered essential for normal operation of the SDI. However, if you request technical assistance from SSEC, you may be asked to examine these files to assist SSEC in diagnosing your SDI operational problems. Therefore, an overview of these files is provided at the end of this chapter.

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