+++ COMPUTER READABLE CODE FORMAT, WEFAX PRODUCTS +++
     
A computer readable code conforming with a proposed international 
standard is in use for U.S. GOES WEFAX transmission products.  This
standard is supported by METEOSAT but is not supported by the GMS 
WEFAX.
     
The Computer readable Code format follows:
     
Six (6) fixed length fields are defined -
     
      NAME             LENGTH                 EXAMPLE
     
  1- Satellite name    (8 characters)          NOAA-11 
  2- Spectral band     (3 characters)          DIR
  3- Date (YYMMDD)     (6 characters)          910125 
  4- Time (HHMM)       (4 characters)          1315 
  5- Sector name       (4 Characters)          W020
  6- Open              (25 characters)         non-standard info
     
One line of digital header shall contain:
     
  - line start signal
  - 800 image pixels (up to 50 characters)
     
Coding is as follows:
     
  - One bit (0/1) is represented by 2 image pixels
  - Each character is represented by 8 bits (16 pixels)
  - Characters are coded in ASCII, most significant bit first. 
  - A bit 0 (zero) is transmitted as two black image pixels,
     and a bit 1 (one) as two white image pixels.
  - Characters in each field are left justified; unused
     field positions are filled with ASCII space characters.
     
     
     
Samuel Patterson
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS
FB4 Rm 0312 E/SP11
Washington, DC 20233 USA
EMAIL:   spatterson@nesdis.noaa.gov