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Data Formats and Procedures Standing Committe (DFPSC) Charter

Charter updated on 07 May 1999 as a result of The Hague Data Formats and Procedures SC Meeting.
Charter updated on 01 November 2011 to reflect changes over more than a decade.

1. AIMS

  • Standardize procedures affecting data up to generation of full-rate and normal point data.
  • Maximize the efficiency of the process of generating the laser data, by ensuring that accurate predictions are available and that standardized software procedures are available to produce a uniform quality data product.
  • Ensure that the data product contains all the information needed by the analyst, and that the data and related information are available for the analyst in a convenient form.

2. ROLE

2.1 PREDICTIONS - Document and maintain standards for:

  • Format of prediction files,
  • Standard software packages for reading, writing, checking and generating pass-by-pass predictions from prediction files, and
  • Standard format for satellite maneuvers, etc.

Retain documentation on legacy IRV format, integrator model and reference frame, unmodelled forces, bias and drag functions. etc.

The Working Group will endeavor to ensure that there are several groups within the network with the capability of generating predictions and time bias corrections, and that there are efficient and rapid means of distribution.

2.2 TRACKING RESTRICTIONS - Document and maintain standards for:

  • Definitions of tracking restrictions,
  • Implementation procedures for satellite missions and stations, and
  • Restriction file formats.

2.3 DATA PROCESSING

  • Document and maintain the standard algorithm for formation of normal points.
  • Endeavor to maintain standard software packages for fitting a trend function to pass residuals, for analyzing the distribution of pass residuals, and calculating various reference points (mean, peak, etc).

2.4 STATION INFORMATION- Document and maintain formats for recording station information, such as:

  • Eccentricity vectors,
  • Site occupancy details,
  • Changes to systems, and
  • Alternative operational configurations of stations.

2.5 FINAL DATA PRODUCT FORMATS AND TRANSMISSION STANDARDS

  • Maintain documentation of formats for the final data products, full-rate data (FR) and normal points (NP).
  • Coordinate continuing review of formats, and if necessary revise.
  • Document standards for transmission, including file naming conventions.
  • Maintain standard software for reading, writing, checking and converting full-rate and normal point data.
  • Monitor changes and maintain access to the orbit formats used by analysts, such as the Orbex format.