ICESat-2 Flight Science Receiver Algorithms Parameters for Maximizing the Science Return
Abstract
ATLAS (Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter) is the single instrument on the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation-2 (ICESat-2) mission. The ATLAS Flight Science Receiver Algorithms (FSRA), realized in the ATLAS Flight Software and hardware, look for surface echoes in the receiver data, select the signal location in real-time, and instruct the hardware to telemeter a vertical band of received time-tags with the highest probability of being signal. Their purpose is to reduce the telemetry data volume to fit within the downlink constraint (577.4 Gbits/day), while maximizing the probability of downlinking surface signal. They are based on a set of rules and processes, and use user changeable algorithm variables (parameters), working with onboard databases for elevation ranges, relief and surface type (see McGarry et al., this session). The parameters required by the on-board Receiver Algorithms were defined to give the ICESat-2 Science Team enough flexibility to maximize the science return from the telemetered data during nominal operations, calibration maneuvers (ocean scans and round the world scans), and targets of opportunity (TOOs). They also enable collection of valuable calibration data to monitor instrument performance throughout the mission, facilitating capture of the Transmit Echo Pulse (TEP) during Science Mode. Designed to maximize science performance while on-orbit supporting the science requirement mission goals, they facilitate changing the conditions under which data will be downlinked based on the on-board signal detection algorithms performance, surface type, solar background illumination conditions (day/night), strong/weak laser beam, and changes in the instrument performance. Because of the large number of parameters, and their many inter-dependencies, a Parameter Update GUI (PUG) program was developed to assist the user in making changes to the parameter files, minimizing the probability of violating any parameter interdependencies and constraints that could result in gaps in science data collection. This tool will be used used by the Instrument Support Facility (ISF) during ICESat-2 operations, before uploading modified parameter files to the spacecraft. We will describe important parameters that can be changed by the Science Team, and PUG's use in making these parameter changes.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AGUFM.C11A0752C
- Keywords:
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- 0758 Remote sensing;
- CRYOSPHEREDE: 0799 General or miscellaneous;
- CRYOSPHEREDE: 1240 Satellite geodesy: results;
- GEODESY AND GRAVITYDE: 1241 Satellite geodesy: technical issues;
- GEODESY AND GRAVITY