The GOES Data Collection System (DCS) began operating in the early 1970's, but it origin's trace back to the mid/late 1960s with the Application Technology Satellite (ATS) that will celebrate its 50th anniversary on December 7, 2016. The ATS was the forerunner of the GOES program.
Many of the people involved in the evolution are retired or planning to retire, so to document the progress we've made and to provide a roadmap for future development efforts, we decided to capture the significant steps the program has made. It turned out to be quite a task! We recognize that a lot of the progress has been made by you, the users, so enjoy this walk down memory lane with us, and give yourselves a big pat on the back. But don't get complacent, keep up the good work!
We enjoyed doing this project but if we missed something please notify us of the event so it too can be captured for the record.
| Milestone | Dev Date |
Development Lead |
Development Steps |
Project Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERTS/ (Landsat) |
1965 | NASA | Polar Data Relay Platform Trial |
Successful Data Relay |
| Applications Technology Satellite-1 |
1966 | NASA | ATS-1 Suomi Spin View Determine spin Geo sat characteristics Test of comm. and imagery |
Initial DCS Type Geo Data Relay First full disk imagery... Nasa... Wikipedia... Earth Observatory |
| DCS Radio Set Specs |
Dec-70 | NESS | Generation of specifications |
DCP Radio Set (Detailed) Design Plan... More Info |
| GOES DCS Design Plan |
1971 | Magnavox | DCP Radio Design plan development |
DCS Design Plan |
| GOES DCS Ground System |
Jul-74 | Magnavox | O&M Manual for CDAS Ground System Part No. 705856-801 Sec I-Vii W /App A & B |
|
| GOES DCS Demodulator |
First Generation Demodulators Crystal Controlled |
|||
| ERTS Pseudo Binary |
1972 | Earl Painter /NASA |
ERTS Becomes Landsat in 1975 Random Reporting Ability |
Improved DCS type data transfer |
| GOES User Group/STIWG |
1974 | USGS, NWS, ACOE Duane Preble |
Agency Representatives Meet |
Lead to TWG/STIWG |
| SMS 1/ GOES 1 |
1974 | Magnavox | DCS design DCS 2 way communication Suomi Spin Stabilization |
DCS as a successfully functioning data system |
| GOES Time Code |
1974-1977 | NBS/NOAA | GOES Time to 1ms accuracy |
NBS SP250-30 Ended in 2005 |
| Preliminary GOES DCS Project Plan |
1975 | Merle Nelson | Initial DCS Project plan |
DCS Progress Dissemination... NESS Tech Memo. 67 |
| Convertible DCP(CDCP) |
1975 | Duane Preble (COTR/USGS) LaBarge Corp. (Build) |
Ball Bros. Res. Development Integrated Microprocessor Optional ERTS/GOES Versatility |
Affordable unit costs Flexible I/O application Hastened the end of DCPI... DCS User Reports, 1100 DCPs |
| South American Training Program |
1975/1976 | Duane Preble /U.S. Agencies |
Multi-U.S. Agency cooperation |
Initial South American GOES use. |
| Random Reporting |
1977 | W. Ducon ACOE Contract |
Expand communication format |
Flexible in-the-field scheduling |
| Dec-80 | NESDIS | Users Guide to Random Reporting |
Intro to GOES Random Reporting |
|
| ARGOS | 1978 | NASA/Cote | French Coordination |
Cooperative French/USA |
| Random Operation |
System still working |
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| Data Collection Platform Address Code |
Oct-78 | Bill Mazur |
DCP Address format/ Interrogate Plan |
NESS 82 Tech Memo |
| SARSAT | 1979 | NASA/NOAA | ||
| First DCS Management Report |
1980 | Merle Nelson |
DCS User Reports, 1100 DCPs |
DCS Progress Dissemination... GOES DATA NESS 100 |
| DCS Certification Standards |
1980 | NOAA/DCS | Random reporting standards |
Certification Proliferation |
| GOES DCS DAMSNT |
1980 | OSD/GSD E. Seman |
Telecom | 4 Data Quality Metrics to each message received |
| GOES DCS Command Receiver |
1981 | NDBC | Real time DCP command potential |
Early attempt of two-way DCP... NDBO SOW |
| DCS User Report |
1982 | NOAA | Agency DCS user percentage |
1982 User snapshot... User History 1982 |
| GOES DCS Technical Memorandum |
Jun-83 | Nestlebush | GOES DCS System |
NESDIS 2 Tech Memo |
| GOES DCS Uplink Transmit System |
1982/1983 | OSD/GSD | Test GOES Transponder Full load |
Fully load DCS Transponder... GOES DCS Antenna w/Test equipment |
| SDG/SIWG | Jun-84 | STIWG | Formed to Support User Needs |
Defined USER REQ & Critical Elements COE Lead... Led to DAPS Funding |
| DAPS Project |
1985/1986 | OSD/GSD | DAPS Requirements/ specifications |
Procurement package... Based upon 1984 STIWG Design Study |
| 1987/1988 | Dorsey COR Nestelbush PM |
DAPS Contract |
Contract to ISI Corp. |
|
| DAPS Acceptance |
1989 | OSD/GSD Dorsey/ Station |
Operational system integration |
Enhanced GOES DCS Message Data Distribution Storage and Systems Management Services... GOES DCS DAPS |
| Vancouver Users Meeting |
1989 | Nestelbush PM / Mac Callum |
Proceedings of the Vancouver Workshop, August 1987 |
IAHS Publ. no. 178, 1989... More Info |
| DAPS Acceptance |
1989 | OSD/GSD Dorsey/Staton |
Operational system integration |
Enhanced GOES DCS Message Data Distribution Storage and Systems Management Services |
| Additional DAMSNT (ADDS) |
1988 - 1990 |
STIWG User Funded Dorsey COR |
Improve Demod design Vitel |
DCS channel capacity increase... Took system beyond 40 channels per S/C Extra funding lead to HDR Cyberlink studys |
| GOES NEXT 3 Axis Stabilization |
1985-1994 | GOES 'I-M' Project |
Develop 3 Axis technology |
Successful 3 Axis Stabilization at Geosynchronous orbit (Copy INSAT)... GOES NEXT |
| DROT | 1989 | Warren Dorsey |
DROT Included in DAPS software |
DROT provided Message Data Filtering... Distributed to user Community basis for LRGS |
| GOES DCS DOMSAT |
1990 | Americom/ Settles |
DOMSAT Contract Americom |
DAPS tested for DOMSAT in 1989 |
| 1991 | DOMSAT Operational |
DOMSAT DCS data distribution... Wallops Uplink/Down w/CO Monitor |
||
| DAPS User Dial in Telnet |
1989 | OSD/GSD | Modem bank, Comm. Software |
User dial-in capability to DAPS computer system... 10 lines using Level Four Microcom Networking Protocol (MNP) error correction |
| Direct Readout Terminal (DROT) |
1989 | Warren Dorsey |
DROT Software development |
DROT Application ready... Provided for User Community and DOMSAT Data Distribution. |
| DCS Summary Report |
1990 | Mike Nestlebush |
Compilation of DCS user activity |
Detailed summary of DCS Agency and Corp. usage... DAPS Monthly |
| Electronic Bulletin Board (EBB) |
1992 | Jim Wydick Jim Green |
DCS Information sharing Dial-in modem bank WEFAX/DRO inclusion Begin Internet development |
Evolve and expand to NOAASIS web site User updates and interaction |
| DAMS HDR Expansion |
1992 | Warren Dorsey/ Microcom |
300/1200 bps refinement |
DCS 300/1200 operational expansion |
| LRGS (DAPS spin off) |
1992 | USGS/COE | Employ best features of DAP-1. |
Readily available user system upgrade |
| Updated DCP-I Design |
1993 | NDBC | Design prototype |
Only 25 units built |
| Cyberlink Studies |
1989-1992 | Bill Mazur | DCS HDR Requirement Development |
Upgrades in data rates 300 and 1200 bps Interleavers for parity errors and CDMA |
| Systems Update Report |
Jun-94 | Nestlebush PM | GOES DCS System Detailed |
NESDIS 40 Tech Memo Update of the NESDIS 2 |
| CS1 High Data Rate (HDR) |
1993/1994 | Cyberlink Dorsey COR |
HDR Conceptual Requirements RFP/Proposals /contract award |
Proof of concept engineering model Basis for further development |
| CS1 High Data Rate (HDR) |
1995 | STIWG Funded |
HDR DAMSNT Developed |
Effective system capacity increased |
| HDAMS CS1 High Data Rate |
1996 | Vitel/ Dorsey COR |
Bessel Filter Design Bench test transmitter prototype Systems test prototype |
Added DCS Development Opportunities Increased Message Data Rates |
| DCS Interrogate and Control Equipment (DICE) |
1995-1997 | OSD/GSD ATS/Dorsey COR |
Supported Interrogate Sub-System and GOES time code Formatting |
Updated Magnavox FTS Front End Provide AGC Transponder Frequency Offset/Drift |
| HDR Expansion |
1998 | Vitel/ Dorsey COR |
300/1200 bps refinement |
DCS 300/1200 operational expansion |
| GOES Direct Readout |
1997 | Kay Metcalf | Initial pub. 1992, update 1997 |
Concise User Guide to Direct Readout capability... Users Guide |
| GOES DCS Operations Plans NGOP FCD-P28-1997 |
1997 | Kay Metcalf FCM/STIWG |
Evolution of GOES DCS as critical DCS User Operations Plan |
Dissemination of critical DCS environmental support areas... More Info |
| DAPS Telnet (Internet) |
1999 | Al Mcmath | Internet system integration Internet security |
Increased user access, speed and effective capacity - Fore runner to LRGS |
| CS1 HDR Certification Standard |
1999 | Vitel / Dorsey COR |
Apply HDR Prototype findings |
DRAFT Radio Set Certification Standards |
| Transmitter Locator System (TLS) |
2000 | Wydiak | Prototype/First Generation - it was not fully deployed/ second phase proposed |
TLS used Doppler to identify interfering DCP DCP location axes were in kilometer range |
| CS1 HDR Certification V.1B |
Mar-00 | OSD/GSD | 8PSK engineering development |
Basis for the new HDR DCP Radio Sets |
| Nov-00 | SEIMAC | First HDR DCP Certified SATHDRGOES |
Other DCPRS Certified within next 12 months. |
|
| DICE | 2000 | Applied Tech. Solutions | Pilot and Control Module integration |
Operational Pilot and Control in one unit |
| DAPS II | 2000 | NOBLIS/Keeler | Conceptual study | Review/Define Requirements/Cost Estimate |
| Milestone | Dev Date |
Development Lead |
Development Steps |
Project Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAPS II | 2001 | Tech Eval Team |
Industry Days/AL show/Prop Eval |
Statement of Need / Specifications |
| DAPS II | 2001 | Contract Award |
ISI Inc. Best Cost Tradeoff |
System build by ISI. |
| DAPS II Interference Monitor |
2001 | Dorsey, Metcalf |
Midpoint | Performance test guide... DAPSIICIMS |
| DAPS II | 2002 | MCMath,Whaley | DAPSII acceptance tested |
DAPS II Failed to meet full Mission Requirements. |
| DAMS NT | 2003 | Warren Dorsey Microcom |
Upgrade Demod Integration |
Evolution from early generation DEMODS |
| CDMA Study | 2004 | Marlin Perkins Microcom Design |
Feasibility study |
Declared feasible Delayed until future time... MORCOM |
| GOES DCS LRGS/LRIT |
2005 | ILEX/Perkins McMath/Whaley |
LRGS/LRIT Extension |
LRGS servers to GOES DCS User community Code used to generate & send DCS LRIT files |
| GOES Time Ends |
2005 | NBS/Whaley | Service Terminated due to GPS |
|
| EROS Date Distribution Network |
May-06 | USGS/Schwitalla Microcom Design |
Geographical selection Multi-agency coordination Operational test and acceptance |
Geographical distinct site Reliable CDA backup facility 24 x 7 availability... More Info |
| Pilot Control Module (PCM) |
2005 | Microcom | Transponder frequency control upgrade |
PCM replaced DICE |
| DADDS Project |
2006-2009 | Microcom/Bryant Webber/Dorsey |
Review of DAPPS II Added Data Distribution Initially Enhanced DAPS capabilities |
DADDS accepted as upgrade to DAPS while less complex than DAPPS II. |
| Dual Pilot Control Module (PCM) |
2008 | Microcom/Bryant | Transponder frequency control upgrade |
Added two pilot monitoring |
| DCP Two Way Study |
2006-2007 | NOS/Sutron Corp. |
Small Business Innovation Research Design and testing for prototype |
Costing currently prohibitive... More Info |
| DCS Status Report |
2009 | Ernest Dreyer | Overall DCS audit |
Review of Current DCS Status... GOES DCS System |
| CS2 High Data Rate |
2009/2010 | NOBLIS/Wolner Dorsey/Whaley Microcom Design |
STIWG/TWG agreement/support Transition and implementation plan Route Raised Cosine Filtering Added |
Faster DCS user data reception Doubled systems channel capacity System component upgrades |
| CS2 HDR Certification V.1B |
Jun-09 Oct-10 |
OSD/GSD | 8PSK engineering development First CS2 Certified/Sutron |
Basis for the new HDR DCP Radio Sets SL2-G312-V2 |
| GOES DCS Configuration schematic |
2011 | Duane Preble | Timely system schematic |
Simplified system configuration... GOES DCS System Config |
| GOES DCS Interference |
May 2012 | H. Betsill | Ionospheric Scintillation |
Investigation of Atmospheric phenomena on GOES DCS |
| GOES DCS Pilot Uplink Antennas |
Mar-13 | Honeywell/Dorsey | Three Parabolic Dish Antennas |
More Effective Control of GOES DCS Pilot |
| Dual Pilot Control Module (PCM) |
2013 | Warren Dorsey Microcom |
Function Integration toward elimination of the DICE |
Upgrade PCM to handle both GOES missions - GOES 'NOP' and GOES-R Series. |
| DADDS LRIT Upgrade Test |
2013 | Microcom/Dorsey | Test Concept of moving function |
Improve LRGS LRIT |
| DCP Two Way Comm. Study |
2014/2015 | Microcom, Preble |
Assessment of Requirements to Resurrect the forward Channel |
Evaluate Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) vs. Frequency Hop spread Spectrum (FHSS) Paper Presentation |
| DADDS LRIT Upgrade |
2015 | Microcom/Metcalf Seymore |
Improved Data Latency, NSOF backup Implemented via NSOF COOP circuits |
Encourage DCS User to move to begin migration from DOMSAT |
| GOES DCS HRIT/PDA Extension |
2016 | Microcom/Solars | DADDS HRIT to PDA testing |
DCS Data Flow via GOES-R HRIT data dissemination |
| Reporting Methods |
2016 | Duane Preble | self-timed, interrogate. |
More versatile DCP data reporting... Report Methods |
| Data Rate | 2016 | Duane Preble | 100 bps, 300 bps, 1200 bps |
Virtually real time data reception... Data Rate |
| Message Format |
2016 | Duane Preble | ASCII, Pseudo Binary |
Improved format efficiency... Message Format |
| System Capacity |
2016 | Duane Preble | Reporting time windows, data rate |
Increased environmental data... System Cap |