GOES DCS History / Evolutionary Development



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
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