Payload
MetOp
European Space Agency

Payload Module ground communication: Measurement data transmission to ground


Schematic drawing of independent RF links
   
Schematic drawing of independent RF links
 
Three independent Radio Frequency (RF) links transmit measurement data to the ground:
 




  • X-band Global Data, 70 Mbps at 7.8 GHz
  • L-band HRPT, 3.5 Mbps at 1.7 GHz
  • VHF band LRPT, 72 Kbps at 137 MHz

X-band is used to dump global data once per orbit to a northern ground station. The system supports scenarios with only one station like Svalbard (N) as well as a two station scenario with an European station like Kiruna (S) in combination with an American station like Fairbanks (Alaska).

To support local users with local measurement data in a similar way to the TIROS satellites, MetOp is equipped with a Low (LRPT) and a (HRPT) High Resolution Picture Transmission link. Both data streams provide real-time data only, i.e. only measurement data from the area the satellite is scanning during fly-over can be acquired. HRPT contains the complete instrument data, LRPT provides HIRS/4,AMSU A1/A2, MHS, SEM and data from only three compressed channels of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) instrument.
 
 
  
Last update: 20 April 2006