GOES Users’ Conference IV May 1-3, 2006 Broomfield, CO Prepared by Integrated Work Strategies, LLC 1 GOES USERS’ CONFERENCE IV: Discussion Highlights Data and Product Distribution Jack Beven

GOES Users’ Conference IV May 1-3, 2006 Broomfield, CO Prepared by Integrated Work Strategies, LLC 2 1)Pros and Cons of Data and Product Distribution Methods GOES Rebroadcast GOES Rebroadcast Pros: support mobile users; highly reliable; “you get it all”; easy method, timelyPros: support mobile users; highly reliable; “you get it all”; easy method, timely Cons: more complicated than current; increased hardware costs; “you get it all”Cons: more complicated than current; increased hardware costs; “you get it all” Commercial Rebroadcast Commercial Rebroadcast Pros: cheaper hardware; expandable; in mix with other GEOSS partners; won’t need transmitter on satellite; multiple on-orbit resources; no spectral limits; can decrease disk size; significant bandwidthPros: cheaper hardware; expandable; in mix with other GEOSS partners; won’t need transmitter on satellite; multiple on-orbit resources; no spectral limits; can decrease disk size; significant bandwidth Cons: high cost to access; lose link to legacy hardware; is additional failure point; added latencyCons: high cost to access; lose link to legacy hardware; is additional failure point; added latency

GOES Users’ Conference IV May 1-3, 2006 Broomfield, CO Prepared by Integrated Work Strategies, LLC 3 Internet Internet Pros: cheap and easy; flexible; many providersPros: cheap and easy; flexible; many providers Cons: same data sent multiple times; not real-time; reliability problems; access outside US; can’t handle bandwidth; wide variability of access; reliance on commercial internetCons: same data sent multiple times; not real-time; reliability problems; access outside US; can’t handle bandwidth; wide variability of access; reliance on commercial internet TV Broadcast TV Broadcast Con: a step backwardsCon: a step backwards Land Line Distribution Land Line Distribution Pros: high reliability; real-time; flexibility; full data setPros: high reliability; real-time; flexibility; full data set Cons: high costs; doesn’t address enough customers (especially outside US)Cons: high costs; doesn’t address enough customers (especially outside US) Updated NOAA-Port Updated NOAA-Port Pros: For specific users works well (e.g., field forecaster); cheaper than L-Band; hardware already in place; scalablePros: For specific users works well (e.g., field forecaster); cheaper than L-Band; hardware already in place; scalable Cons: has only N. American mission; select user group; more expensive than EUMETCAST; currently carries only Level 2 productsCons: has only N. American mission; select user group; more expensive than EUMETCAST; currently carries only Level 2 products 1)Pros and Cons of Data and Product Distribution Methods (cont’d)

GOES Users’ Conference IV May 1-3, 2006 Broomfield, CO Prepared by Integrated Work Strategies, LLC 4 2) Organizational Infrastructure Changes Needed to Access GOES-R Data & Products Do you have a plan/resources available to implement these changes? What information would you need from NOAA to develop such a plan? Many users are still assessing what GOES-R means for their organization Many users are still assessing what GOES-R means for their organization Users needs very complete information put out ahead of time Users needs very complete information put out ahead of time Internet page dedicated to GOES-R in multiple languagesInternet page dedicated to GOES-R in multiple languages Need increased access to conferences for more users especially foreign users (may need financial support to attend)Need increased access to conferences for more users especially foreign users (may need financial support to attend) Will likely need upgrades of systems Will likely need upgrades of systems Some may require financial assistanceSome may require financial assistance

GOES Users’ Conference IV May 1-3, 2006 Broomfield, CO Prepared by Integrated Work Strategies, LLC 5 3) Ideas Related to the Proper Ratio between Amount of Data “Pushed” Versus “Pulled” Depends on the distribution method and user needs (e.g., operational missions would be predominantly pushed) Depends on the distribution method and user needs (e.g., operational missions would be predominantly pushed) Need way to receive selective data that may vary with use Need way to receive selective data that may vary with use A possible solution…. Create a system that “pushes” all real-time data to a remote server. Allow users to “pull” select data subsets using their own client software.

GOES Users’ Conference IV May 1-3, 2006 Broomfield, CO Prepared by Integrated Work Strategies, LLC 6 4) Desired Balance between Level 1b Radiance Data & Level 2 Derived Products in the GRB Most users (such as forecasters, researchers, etc.) prefer greater amounts of 1b data Most users (such as forecasters, researchers, etc.) prefer greater amounts of 1b data Foreign user preferences will depend on their level of sophistication Foreign user preferences will depend on their level of sophistication A consideration… Given Level 1b and 2’s different latency requirements, does it still make sense to mix them in the GRB? A consideration… Given Level 1b and 2’s different latency requirements, does it still make sense to mix them in the GRB?

GOES Users’ Conference IV May 1-3, 2006 Broomfield, CO Prepared by Integrated Work Strategies, LLC 7 5) Amount of Allowable Lossy Data Compression, Especially in the 0.5 km Visible Band 1 st choice is no loss due to compression 1 st choice is no loss due to compression Allowable amount depends on how good of a compression you come up with Allowable amount depends on how good of a compression you come up with Don’t throw data away before you know what you need Don’t throw data away before you know what you need Users need more information to better answer this question Users need more information to better answer this question Consider providing comparison information about what different derived products look like at various compression rates as well as studies around ratios between compression rates and loss. Then, gather user feedback about what amount of data compression is allowable Consider providing comparison information about what different derived products look like at various compression rates as well as studies around ratios between compression rates and loss. Then, gather user feedback about what amount of data compression is allowable

GOES Users’ Conference IV May 1-3, 2006 Broomfield, CO Prepared by Integrated Work Strategies, LLC 8 6) Potential of GLM Data to Be Part of the GRB Most users believe GLM data should be part of the GRB Most users believe GLM data should be part of the GRB Reasons Reasons Users have wanted hemispheric lightening data for a long timeUsers have wanted hemispheric lightening data for a long time Data could be integrated into many other productsData could be integrated into many other products Low volume of dataLow volume of data User questions User questions Are there any trade-offs?Are there any trade-offs? Does it have to be included with the GRB? Are there other options?Does it have to be included with the GRB? Are there other options?

GOES Users’ Conference IV May 1-3, 2006 Broomfield, CO Prepared by Integrated Work Strategies, LLC 9 7) Users Need for Access to Raw Data before Re-sampling Many users need raw data before re-sampling Many users need raw data before re-sampling Firefighters need this informationFirefighters need this information Researchers need it to calibrate equipment and for research activitiesResearchers need it to calibrate equipment and for research activities Need to consider real-time vs. retrospective needs Need to consider real-time vs. retrospective needs

GOES Users’ Conference IV May 1-3, 2006 Broomfield, CO Prepared by Integrated Work Strategies, LLC 10 8) For HES/CW and ABI/SST product distribution, is COASTWatch your preferred source of products, or would you prefer some other arrangement? If other, please elaborate. Most agree that COASTWatch is best Most agree that COASTWatch is best Current internet sites provide this information Current internet sites provide this information

GOES Users’ Conference IV May 1-3, 2006 Broomfield, CO Prepared by Integrated Work Strategies, LLC 11 9) Other Questions and Issues Important Consideration: Prep users well and far in advance so that they are ready Important Consideration: Prep users well and far in advance so that they are ready