MEMORANDUM FOR: WEFAX/EMWIN Users and Vendors FROM: Marlin O. Perkins GOES DCS Manager SUBJECT: WEFAX/EMWIN User's Workshop

NESDIS assembled a "Users Workshop" meeting for all users and vendors associated with the U.S. GOES WEFAX transmission service. The meeting addressed the future operation of the current WEFAX service, implementation and transition of the Low Rate Information Transmission (LRIT) service, and the GOES-N impact on the Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN) service. More than sixty interested persons from around the world attended the working group meeting. The workshop was jointly hosted by the National Environmental, Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) and the National Weather Service (NWS). Participants included representatives from industry, government, education and concerned users. Dr. Gerald Dittberner, GOES Program Manager and NESDIS team leader, chaired the meeting. Other participants from NESDIS included: Richard G. Reynolds, Office of Systems Development, Frank Eng, Computer Sciences Corporation, Steve Short and Dick Reynolds, Short and Associates, and Marlin O. Perkins, Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution. The NWS team was lead by Mr. William Brockman, Chief, Telecommunication Operations Center with support from Mr. Richard Hagemeyer, Director, NWS Pacific Region, Herbert White, and James Doherty.

This meeting provided the WEFAX users and equipment manufacturers with information on NESDIS' plans for implementing the new digital format and stimulated discussions on the present and future application of the LRIT Global Specification. NESDIS/NWS emphasized the impacts on the current services (WEFAX and EMWIN) and receiving stations.

WELCOME
The WEFAX User's Workshop was convened by NOAA/NWS at 9:00 a.m. on November 15, 2000 in Silver Spring, Maryland. Marlin O. Perkins, opened the meeting. He warmly welcomed the participants to the Silver Spring Metro Complex III (SSMC3), NWS Headquarters. NESDIS expressed appreciation to the National Weather Service for making their facilities available for the Workshop. Marlin gave a brief outline of the history of the Low Rate Information Transmission (LRIT) Global Specifications. At the Coordinating Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS) meeting in Beijing, China, NESDIS accepted the LRIT Global Specification as the new standard to replace the current WEFAX data transmission. Further, Mr. Perkins stated the purpose of the workshop was to share information, create a dialog on the issues of LRIT and obtain responses on the impact of the LRIT implementation. Marlin pointed out three main areas of concern for the work shop to focus on. These areas of concern are: the LRIT transition period, cost of the user receive station and changes/effects of the EMWIN service. Marlin stated that additional workshops in different locations will be planned for continued interface and dialogue with the WEFAX/EMWIN communities. He recalled that other satellite operators are planning to convert to the LRIT format in the 2003 timeframe and a successful implementation to the new service requires the support of the vendors as well as the users. LRIT plans are not driven by planners but by the users who depend on WEFAX/EMWIN doing a good job. WEFAX/EMWIN users and program administrators need to make progress on further cooperation and coordination. Marlin asked for all attendees to participate in a full and open discussion of the new service and the effects it will have on their activities. He passed the floor to Dr. Gerald Dittberner, GOES Program Manager, who also extended a very warm welcome to the participants and wished them success in this meeting.

HIGHLIGHTS

GOES Program Overview - Dr. Gerald Dittberner provided a detailed presentation of the GOES Program. Dr. Dittberner described to the group the activities of the program and the various missions it supports. GOES satisfies the NWS requirement for 24 hour observation of weather and Earth's environment to support storm-scale weather predictions by forecasters and numerical models. To meet these requirements, GOES continuously maintains operational satellites at two locations (75W and 135 W) with an on-orbit spare ready in case of failure.

The current GOES series are three-axis stabilized spacecraft in geosynchronous orbits. The current primary satellites, GOES-8 and GOES-10, are stationed over the east and west coasts of the United States, respectively. These satellites are used to provide simultaneous images and soundings of the Western Hemisphere. GOES-11, launched in May 2000, is the in-orbit spare and is currently located at 105 degrees W, while GOES-9, near 105 degrees W, has limited capacity. Dr. Dittberner spoke on the value of satellite life expectancy. In the present operational environment for a 25 year period, the government will avoid the cost of two spacecraft by having a dual spacecraft constellation of seven year life-cycle satellites verses five year life-cycle satellites.

The primary instrument payload for the current series of GOES spacecraft is the imager and sounder. The GOES spacecraft also have Space Environmental Monitor (SEM) systems to measure magnetic fields, solar x-ray flux and high-energy electrons, protons and alpha particles. A data collection system on the GOES spacecraft receives and relays environmental data sensed by widely dispersed surface platforms such as river and rain gauges, seismometers, tide gauges, buoys, ships and automatic weather stations. Platforms transmit sensor data to the satellite at regular or self-timed intervals, upon interrogation by the satellite, or in an emergency alarm mode whenever a sensor receives information exceeding a pre-set level.

NESDIS future plans for the GOES program includes the launch of the GOES-M, last in the current series of spacecraft. It will complete system-level thermal vacuum testing in October, 2000, and is scheduled to be available for a planned launch in the July 2001 time frame. It has accommodations for a Solar X-ray Imager (SXI). The SXI instrument will stare at the Sun continuously and provide images in up to eight X-ray energy bands.

NESDIS is in the process of purchasing a new series of satellites, GOES-N, -O, -P, -Q, with similar instrumentation as the current series. The new series of GOES spacecraft will support the new LRIT digital service. The first two spacecraft, GOES-N and -O, are in the hardware development and integration phase. Beginning with GOES-N, NESDIS will only support LRIT transmissions and provide a separate transponder for EMWIN. The completed GOES-N spacecraft is scheduled to be available for launch in October 2002 and GOES-O in April 2004. Contractual options for GOES-P and GOES-Q are not yet exercised.

Further, Dr. Dittberner discussed the LRIT Transition Plan. He outlined the schedule of activities NESDIS plans to undertake to provide an orderly transition to the LRIT without the need to be sensitive to the specific GOES-N launch date. He informed the group that the US must provide official notification to the WMO on its plans to transition to the LRIT format as well as keeping industry and users abreast of development activities. NOAA plans to provide a test signal for a few weeks through a GOES spacecraft other than the operational GOES-East and GOES-West. (See below for details). During that period, GOES-East and GOES-West will continue to provide routine WEFAX data. This LRIT test signal will allow vendors and users to test new or modified receiver equipment without disrupting normal WEFAX transmissions. In late 2002, GOES-East will be converted from WEFAX to LRIT transmission and will cease transmitting WEFAX data. The conversion of GOES-West to LRIT will be based on the needs of the users. The date for GOES-West conversion will be announced as soon as practical.

[ MS PowerPoint slides used during this presentation ]

GOES Implementation Activities - Richard Reynolds, Chief, Ground Systems Division, presented the initial NESDIS LRIT implementation and transition plan. The LRIT global specifications have been in development for more than ten (10) years. In 1991, the CGMS began discussing the possible replacement (evolution) of the current international standard for analog Weather Facsimile (WEFAX) Broadcast Services from geostationary meteorological satellites. At CGMS XXVI, in 1998, the digital LRIT (and its companion format LRPT; the replacement for APT on polar meteorological satellites) was approved by all representatives. Also at CGMS XXVI, all participants except for the United States (NOAA) committed to a specific planning date (i.e. satellite and launch date) for implementing the LRIT service. NOAA announced its plans to implement the LRIT format, at CGMS XXVII (1999), in the timeframe of GOES-N, expected to be October 2002.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) voiced several concerns about the implementation and transition of the LRIT format. Issues raised by the WMO as primary concerns from the user community were:

(1) Costs of receiving equipment:
It was acknowledged that:

• the power of the transponder and the LRIT CCSDS should not require an antenna larger than those needed to meet current WEFAX specifications;
• the signal processing for CCSDS format should be inexpensive "chip sets" and the integration costs would likely be one time engineering costs incorporated into overall system costs and not likely to be a significant cost driver;
• the WMO was taking a significant role in disseminating information to its constituents in all WMO regions.
• The cost of the receiving equipment should not be significant, but periodic analysis/investigation would be conducted to insure an "affordable unit" is available for the users.

(2) Lead times for transition:
It was acknowledged that:

• close coordination and planning was required before publicly announcing the implementation date and transition plan for LRIT;
• for GOES, there would likely be a multi-year overlap of the current service and LRIT to facilitate the transition;
• industry needed to be formally informed of the LRIT format and plans, and this would be coordinated between NESDIS/OSDPD/DSD;
• LRIT service was likely 3+ years away from implementation; and
• NESDIS must work on the design, development, implementation and operation of the new ground processing system(s) for LRIT and this must start immediately.
• The above items can be resolved/developed and that sufficient lead time will be created by coordinating the specific satellite on which LRIT is to "begin" (It was also understood that both digital and analog services cannot co-exist on GOES-N).

(3) LRIT content.
It was acknowledged that:

• although the documentation referenced imagery, the CGMS agreement was not intended to be content specific and LRIT content was operator controlled; i.e. graphics, imagery, and text could be transmitted.
• This was not an issue. (It is understood that there is a significant increase in available bandwidth with LRIT and with proper coordination, NESDIS could increase the products and services utilizing the LRIT).

(4) Continued coordination:
It was acknowledged that:

• meetings and close coordination are extremely beneficial to the successful transition and implementation; and
• some mechanism should be put into place to insure close coordination and over sight of the LRIT implementation.
• The LRIT broadcast will be coordinated through the Satellite Products and Services Review Board's (SPSRB) Services Oversight Panel, co-chaired by NESDIS and NWS.

Mr. Reynolds described a framework of the NESDIS LRIT implementation and transition plan. The plan includes the following activities with the proposed target dates:

• NESDIS is currently performing a study to determine the architecture and resources necessary to produce the LRIT service. (December, 2000)

NESDIS commissioned a transition study to provide system requirements definition and analysis; conceptual and detailed designs; task analyses and studies; and supporting documentation for the development, implementation and operation of the LRIT service. The investigation will define product generation requirements for NESDIS satellite imagery, NWS forecast/model products, and non-NOAA satellite imagery (e.g., MTSAT and MSG). In addition, the study will identify critical milestones and risk areas and risk mitigation that will ensure timely implementation of the LRIT for GOES-N launch. A User Transition Plan for transforming from WEFAX to LRIT operations will be developed. "User" is defined as both the traditional WEFAX user and user station manufacturers. Evaluate alternative LRIT system architectures and assess proposed unit cost.

• NESDIS will develop prototype LRIT receiver requirements , and then provide these specifications to user-station manufacturers. (January, 2001)

NESDIS is in the process of procuring a development LRIT station. This unit will be evaluated on a non-operational US GOES spacecraft. Technical information obtained from these tests will be used as the basis for procuring a prototype LRIT system for the WEFAX/LRIT user community.

• NESDIS will make information available on the "Impacts" of LRIT on present (WEFAX) user stations. (January, 2001)

NESDIS will keep the WEFAX community informed and up-to-date on the development and availability of the new receiver equipment. Studies will be conducted to determine if the existing systems can be upgraded or replaced. This data will be disseminated to the users as soon as it is available. NESDIS will use its general mailing list, e-mails and postings to web site, http://noaasis.noaa.gov/LRIT/ to ensure users are aware of equipment development and availability.

• NESDIS will define the "Day-1" product suite. (June, 2001)
• Currently, NESDIS is investigating the existing WEFAX product suite as a baseline for the new digital service. In addition, a list of candidate products and services will be evaluated as enhancements in the LRIT service. NESDIS plans to augment the LRIT data stream by increasing the data and information to make it more attractive. Software necessary to process the new data stream will be determined for the ground processing system.

• NESDIS will provide users with preliminary information about vendors providing new systems capable of acquiring the LRIT data. (September, 2001)

To ensure users are aware of the types of LRIT receivers available, NESDIS will provide a list of vendors with available units. NESDIS will solicit the name and address of LRIT/WEFAX vendors. This information will be posted on the web site, http://noaasis.noaa.gov/LRIT/, as a central location for the users to obtain details on where the new equipment can be purchased.

• NESDIS will provide detailed LRIT Test Transmission Content and Schedule. (October, 2001)

To provide a smooth and extensive transition to the LRIT service, NESDIS will provide a schedule of test period for manufacturers and users to evaluate the development and operation of the new digital systems. These test schedules will be made available to the users via posting to the website, http://noaasis.noaa.gov/LRIT/ and in message file #3 of the WEFAX text messages.

• NESDIS will announce to the WMO and the WEFAX user community the final schedule for transition and operation of LRIT. (December, 2001)

NESDIS will formally announce its final transition plan from the analog Weather Facsimile (WEFAX) service to a new digital transmission format known as the Low Rate Transmission (LRIT) format. The final transition plan allows an orderly transition to LRIT without the need to be sensitive to the specific GOES-N launch date. Currently, GOES I-M spacecraft have the capability of transmitting either analog WEFAX or digital LRIT data streams. In about November 2002, GOES-East will be converted from WEFAX to LRIT transmissions and will cease transmitting WEFAX data. The conversion of GOES-West to LRIT will be based on the needs of the users. The date for GOES-West conversion will be announced as soon as practical. LRIT operations will start with current series of GOES spacecrafts and carry on with the launch of GOES-N. Spacecraft transmission schedules, user receive station development and vendors interface will be coordinated by NESDIS.

• NESDIS is Conducting an evaluation/validation of the LRIT communications performance - - spacecraft transponder, transmissions format, and receiver systems requirements. (April 2001)

NESDIS is currently reexamining the spacecraft transponder characteristics in accordance with the LRIT specification to determine the receiver stations requirements. These evaluations/validations will ensure the LRIT is a reliable replacement for the WEFAX and provides the same high quality of service.

• Preliminary NESDIS LRIT generation and uplink systems will be in-place in December 2001.

The hardware and software necessary to uplink the LRIT data stream will be available for testing via the new transmission schedule. This configuration located at the Wallops CDA station will provide the modulation, quality control and interface to either the a GOES I-M and/or GOES-N spacecraft. Since the GOES I-M spacecraft (GOES 8, 9, 10, 11, M) have the capability of transmitting either analog WEFAX or digital LRIT data streams. The GOES N-Q series can transmit only the digital LRIT signal. The new ground equipment and test schedules allows digital data to be transmitted to either spacecraft to support the LRIT operation.

• NESDIS currently projects a test of the LRIT through spare GOES spacecraft. (January, 2002)

In the January 2002 time frame, a test signal will be provided for a few weeks or so through a GOES satellite other than GOES-East or GOES-West. For that period, GOES-East and GOES-West will continue to provide routine WEFAX data. This LRIT test signal will allow users to test new or modified receiver equipment without disrupting normal WEFAX transmissions.

Mr. Reynolds informed the group about some critical dates in the LRIT transition. Operational LRIT begins on GOES-EAST. Around November 2002, GOES-EAST WEFAX ends. In addition, the operational LRIT will begin on GOES-WEST as soon as practical after May 2003. All GOES WEFAX transmissions have ended and LRIT will be fully operational.

Three major issues are currently being worked by NESDIS to validate the plan and to ensure successful transition and implementation of NOAA LRIT services. These activities include:

• Validation and Testing of LRIT Communications Parameters - NESDIS will test and validate the LRIT capabilities using METEOSAT LRIT test equipment and user-terminals. These system will be evaluated using the NESDIS RF equipment to validate the LRIT transmissions on the current GOES system. These operations will be conducted on a spare GOES I/M spacecraft.. In addition, simulations will be performed on GOES-N at the Boeing plant.
• Design and Implementation of NOAA LRIT Ground Systems - Architecture definition and design are currently underway. An IOC/Day-1 product list and data communications links are available. Also, contractual mechanisms are in place for implementation of the LRIT.
• Development and Availability of Affordable LRIT User terminals - Currently, versions of the Japanese and European user terminals does exist. These will be used by NESDIS to evaluate the impact of developing units for GOES based customers and provide continuity with other contingents. Design and cost of the U.S. units will depend on availability of chip-sets to reduce front-end receive system risks. NESDIS is working with the manufacturing community to ensure affordable systems.

[ MS PowerPoint slides used during this presentation ]

LRIT Study Activities Status.- Mr. Frank Eng, Computer Sciences Corporation, provided an update on the LRIT study activities. Mr. Eng stated that the overall objective of the study was to establish and evaluate the LRIT transition and implementation alternatives, develop LRIT requirements baselines for the Initial Operational Capabilities (IOC) and the Final Operational Capabilities (FOC), and to develop alternative LRIT system architectures for Suitland, Maryland, Wallops Station, Virginia and the LRIT user domain. He plans to evaluate alternative LRIT system architectures based on system reliability, life cycle cost, system implementation and growth capability.

The study is supported by the NESDIS' Office of Systems Development and the Office Satellite Data processing and Distribution (Information Processing Division and Direct Services Division).

Frank explained that the link budget analysis study supports the technical feasibility of the GOES-N LRIT downlink. Preliminary IOC and FOC capabilities have been established as a basis for developing the LRIT system architectures. The initial phase of industry assessment has been completed and has resulted in the establishment of preliminary approaches for developing NOAA ground systems and affordable user ground stations. A baseline LRIT system architecture has been established as a basis for cost, schedule and implementation planning. Preliminary versions of system specifications have been developed and will serve as the basis for next year's LRIT planning, development, acquisition and implementation activities. System architectures, specifications and cost estimates will continue to be reviewed and refined over the next two months. This WEFAX/EMWIN user's meeting will serve as the primary input for establishing and evaluating the needs and concerns of the WEFAX/LRIT user community. Initial implementation and transition plans are under development and are projected to be completed by the end of November, 2000.

The establishment and evaluation of LRIT transition alternatives will focus on user impact and available NOAA space and ground assets. The transition study will consider the feasibility of providing concurrent or overlapping WEFAX and LRIT services for a limited period to ease the cost and inconvenience of the user transition.

The primary transition alternatives include:

• Time sharing between WEFAX and LRIT on individual spacecraft for a limited time period (e.g., one year) followed by a total transition.
• Providing a third overlapping satellite (e.g., GOES central) to transmit LRIT or WEFAX during a short transition period.
• Immediate transition to the LRIT service for GOES-EAST or GOES-WEST, followed by a later (e.g., one year) transition of the other satellite.

[ Overhead slides shown during this presentation ]

LRIT Capabilities, IOC/FOC. -   Mr. Frank Eng communicated to the audience that NOAA's LRIT IOC requirements includes all of the current WEFAX capabilities, functions and performance. The existing WEFAX data products are projected to require less than half of the 64 Kbps data capacity. Additional data products will therefore be considered for IOC including:

• GOES DCS data
• NWS data and products

The FOC will build upon and evolve from the IOC requirements. NOAA's FOC capability will be constrained by a data rate of 128 Kbps. FOC capabilities will evolve from a continuous assessment of available NOAA products and information as well as LRIT user needs and considerations.

[ Overhead slides shown during this presentation ]

EMWIN Capabilities.- Mr. William Brockman, National Weather Service, furnished a detailed history and technical overview of the Emergency Managers Warning and Information Network (EMWIN), (pronounced "MWIN") system. Mr. Brockman described EMWIN as an effective dissemination system. The system was characterized with a very large installed end user base, third largest NWS dissemination path after the Internet and the National Weather Radio (NWR). EMWIN has a strong national and international support base. It was cited in the National performance Review, acknowledged by Vice-President Al Gore and is recognized by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Administration and the WMO as an outstanding low cost unit for the dissemination of weather and warning information. The EMWIN system is strongly identified by state and local authorities especially the Emergency Management community. Overall, the EMWIN service is distributed throughout the western hemisphere, from west Africa to Southeast Asia.

Mr. Brockman emphasized that EMWIN is effective because the data content matches a wide variety of user needs, the system is very easy to use, works well with an established local infrastructure for alerts, it is robust and locally repairable, and, it is CHEAP and affordable for even impoverished local governments.

The EMWIN is designed with the intention of being inexpensive but effective. In a comparison of users versus cost, this small internationally recognized system ranked third to the Internet as the most appreciated method of receiving weather data. Mr. Brockman illustrated that cost is the determining factor in reaching users. Currently, the Internet is the most inexpensive method for dissemination weather data. Reliability of the Internet was not addressed.

Future considerations for EMWIN during the GOES N-Q era will offer two transmission functions that could serve the current EMWIN users. These functions include a separate EMWIN channel that requires a small dish, low cost, low data rate system or the LRIT high data rate, expanded datastream content. The separate channel approach will require a different frequency, lower power and a lower bit error rate.

The EMWIN transition goals were addressed by Mr. Brockman. He asserted the actions the NWS must undertake to ensure a smooth transformation the GOES-N era. These actions include:

• Immediate publication of the EMWIN technical information.
• Promptly update information as changes or clarifications occur.
• Provide sufficient lead time for development of new user systems.
• Months-long parallel operation.

The EMWIN transition approach will afford multiple opportunities for user and manufacturer input. It will provide a testing period in the 2001 timeframe using a datastream from a spare GOES satellite. And conclusively, final specifications and characteristics will be available in early 2002.

LRIT/EMWIN Implementation Concerns. - Mr. Richard Hagemeyer, Director NWS Pacific region, spoke on the impact of LRIT, concerns of future changes to EMWIN and the ramifications it will have on the Pacific region. The NWS Pacific region encompasses an area several times the expanse of the contiguous 48 states, with responsibilities that include forecasting and warning for several island nations as well as traversing a financial and technology disparity. Mr. Hagemeyer declared the bottom line is operate the LRIT as planned. But, as a best case, increase the EMWIN capacity. And, as a worst case scenario, retain at least the current EMWIN capabilities. The basic problem, according to Mr. Hagemeyer, is a need to disseminate warnings and forecasts to the principle population centers and outer islands of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The SIDS can not afford the normal international communications media; WMO/GTS, ICAO/AFTN or ISCS/WAFS. If they could afford these media, their communications are satellite based and are shut down during high winds so that warnings are not available when most needed.

EMWIN is currently being broadcast on two satellites; GOES-EAST and PEACESAT (GOES-7). Up to 50 additional EMWIN sites are planned and awaiting installation. But problems exist with the GOES-N/Q series. There is no increased EMWIN capacity to provide for increased number/type of products. The performance is degraded from the current GOES series. Reduced power levels will not support a "mini-EMWIN" that would enable the SIDS outer islands to receive warnings and forecasts.

Mr.Hagemeyer feels that the LRIT is a viable alternative for well financed countries such as the U.S. and French Polynesia. Maybe for countries such as New Caledonia and Fiji, but NOT for SIDS such as Niue, Tokrlau, Kiribati Vanuatu, etc. Mr. Hagemeyer firmly believes that the EMWIN should be maintained, at a minimum in its current state. The system works when normal communications do not, it is user friendly it meets the needs of the users and the initial cost IS LOW.

[ Slides used during this presentation ]

WEFAX Individual User Concerns. - Mr. David Cawley, Newmarket, UK, spoke on behalf of a concerned user communicty about the impact the LRIT would have on existing WEFAX users. Mr. Cawley, Time-Step, Inc., expressed the impact of the LRIT transition period and the cost of the receive stations will have on schools and other novice users. The transition period for implementing the new service is very short. It requires all existing WEFAX users to immediately plan for the purchase of the new costly units. Mr. Cawley expressed his concern that the new digital system is too expensive and the cost of the units would create a deficit in the scientific and technical disciplines in the school systems afforded by the WEFAX systems. Those schools that can not afford the cost of the new system will most surely use the Internet as the primary source of weather data. Mr. Cawley felt this expensive means of acquiring this digital data stream will certainly exclude a lot of people and schools systems.

[ Mr. Cawleys prepared presentation ]

Open Discussion with Panel of Presenters. Dr. Gerald Dittberner assembled an open panel to entertain questions from the general audience. Members of the discussion panel included: Frank Eng, William Brockman, Richard G. Reynolds, Richard Hagemeyer, Marlin O. Perkins and himself. U.S. Navy representatives expressed concern about a short transition or notification period (e.g., 2 or 3 years) since the Navy would require at least three years to convert their WEFAX systems to LRIT. NOAA verbalized that it would consider extending the transition period to sometime after 2002. Since the WMO expressed a similar concern that the transition should be at least a three year period with a multi-year overlap of the current services to facilitate the transition to LRIT. Most users seem to prefer a much lengthier transition period, much longer then one year.

Several users were interested in using the existing "front ends" equipment (i.e., antennas, LNA, down converter) of the current WEFAX systems as the basis for the LRIT service. This would reduce the cost of purchasing a completely new system to acquire the LRIT transmission. NOAA replied that they are considering system designs that would facilitate using these existing front ends in an effort to offset the cost of procuring a new system.

Some vendors expressed concern about the need to improve the quality of WEFAX services such as improved latency and image quality (e.g., gray scale). NOAA responded that it is considering these improvements, even for IOC.

Vendors expressed the need for improved link performance margins or front end filters because of the increase of RFI (i.e., second harmonics from cell phone systems).

There was some discussion on approaches for informing and surveying WEFAX users in the future. NOAA agreed to expand its efforts to determine the primary as well as the secondary WEFAX/EMWIN users. These endeavors will include developing and maintaining a robust mailing list, providing an update homepage to post recent notices and developments, and dispensing text bulletins in the WEFAX message headers.

Vendors asked if there would be some software or system compatibility between the U.S., European and Japanese LRIT systems. NOAA responded that they had reviewed the detailed specifications of the other LRIT systems and would consider commonality to facilitate the development of multi-use (i.e., U.S., European, Japanese) LRIT systems.

NOAA was asked if they were interested in maintaining or expanding their EMWIN user population. NOAA answered in the affirmative and elaborated on "secondary" EMWIN users (e.g., NOAA weather radio broadcasts, paging system broadcast).

Users asked what additional weather products (e.g., numerical weather data, calibration data) are being considered for LRIT. NOAA responded that they would decide by June, 2001.

Some vendors requested that NOAA develop and furnish some basic LRIT user station software so that the vendors would not have to invest heavily in the LRIT software development effort. NOAA responded that they are considering the development of common LRIT software to be provided at no cost to vendors and users.

There was some concern about the replacement of PeaceSat when it fails. NOAA did not have an answer to this concern. Since GOES-7 is the last of the spinning spacecraft, it was not determined if another spinner would be made available or if a more sophisticated de-spun spacecraft can be made available. Since the capacity of the LRIT far exceeds the bandwidth of the WEFAX, it was asked if LRIT would replace "weather wire" services. NOAA informed the group that the LRIT would not replace the "weather wire" service, because of the potential latency in LRIT data.

A vendor suggested consolidating the LRIT and EMWIN transponders to enable a higher EIRP. NOAA discussed the ITU-R PFD limits and other problems associated with increasing power.

In the past, NOAA violated the PDF restrictions but always obtained a waiver. Presently, countries in western Africa have filed petition with the World Radio-frequency Committee (WRC) to ask that the U.S. conform the international standards of radio transmissions. Therefore, U.S. downlink transmissions must conform the PDF requirements set forth in the WRC regulation.

Users were concerned about the performance and cost of the next generation EMWIN system (i.e., GOES N EMWIN systems). NOAA projected the cost of the future EMWIN system to be less then US$2000. Some vendors said that they were having a difficult time finding low cost (e.g., around US$1000) CCSDS chip sets on the market. NOAA responded that their review of U.S. industry CCSDS capabilities led to their projection that LRIT user stations could by built for less then US$5000. NOAA said that it was not appropriate for NOAA to identify specific vendor sources for LRIT user station components.

Vendors asked when NOAA would make available the LRIT user station specification or design. NOAA responded that it would probably be ready by June, 2001.

There was some question on the practicality and reason for complying with the LRIT format instead of a more common internet format (e.g., IP). NOAA said as an active member and participant of CGMS, NOAA supports all CGMS undertakings including the development and implementation of the new digital service. CGMS acceptance of the LRIT standard is the primary reason for embracing this format.

There was some vendor interest in the link budget analysis. NOAA said that it would post the link budget analysis on their web site sometime in Spring, 2001.

Summary:
The meeting was summarized Marlin O. Perkins. In his statement, Marlin reflected the sentiment of all the participants. The LRIT can be a very worthwhile service provided several conditions are addressed. The transition from WEFAX to LRIT should be lengthened to allow manufacturers time to make receive stations available to the users. The most important factor for the success of the LRIT service will be the cost of the units. It was a unanimous acknowledgment from the members that the cost of these new stations should be comparable to the current WEFAX/EMWIN stations. These units should have commonality with the European and Japanese components. In addition, NESDIS must consider additional methods for determining its WEFAX/EMWIN user communities. All participants agreed that the meeting was very helpful. Additional meetings for the exchange of information on the future of the WEFAX/EMWIN services and to address issues of concern would be very beneficial to the future success of satellite broadcast services.

Action Items:
1. Develop an acronym list and put on web site, http://noaasis.noaa.gov/LRIT/

2. Edit and publish LRIT Study on the web site, http://noaasis.noaa.gov/LRIT/

3. Publish LRIT test schedule on web site, http://noaasis.noaa.gov/LRIT/

4. NOAA's formal and final LRIT transition plan is planned to be provided by December 2001. The plan will made available to all WEFAX user.

5. NOAA will make current and future LRIT information available on: 1) NOAA web site, 2) WEFAX text messages and 3) WEFAX mailing list.

6. NOAA will decide on additional weather products (e.g., numerical weather data, calibration data) for the LRIT schedule by June 2001.

7. NOAA will make available the LRIT user station specifications or design by June 2001.

Revised December 21, 2000