MIPS Products and Services

Instruments Software Systems (ISS) is functionally equipped to provide the following products and services for solar system exploration missions.

Pre-launch

a) Data Compression Evaluation - MIPS can provide data sets processed through specific compression algorithms for use in determining optimal compression algorithms and parameters.

b) Spacecraft Instrument Data Format Development - Simulation software is available to evaluate the impact of various telemetry error models on packetized compressed science data formats.

c) System Design and Development - Experienced staff members can provide design and development support, assisting in design and end-to-end or piece-wise data systems for specific instruments and projects.

d) VICAR Software -Provide in-house developed “Video Information Communication and Retrieval” (VICAR) software for digital processing of engineering and science instrument data, with emphasis on image processing, cartographic and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications.

e) Instrument Calibration Software - Experienced staff members can support the check and calibration of instruments.

f) Instrument Flight Software - A team with experience in developing of real-time embedded instrument software is available.

g) Ground Support Equipment (GSE) - Definition, design, implementation of ground support equipment for science instruments is a core competency of the OSA staff.

Post-launch

a) Digital Products – MIPL generates first and second order digital products, which can be described in accordance with the standards defined in the NASA Data Processing hierarchy as levels:

  • Level 0 Products - First order products generated from telemetered engineering and science instrument “raw” data, time ordered, with duplicates and transmission errors removed and usually with no calibration.  Packaged with ancillary and auxiliary data characterizing instrument at time of data acquisition (e.g., data acquisition timestamps, instrument articulation coordinates).  Generally referred to as the Experiment Data Record, or EDR.  Products include:
    • Merging of telemetry data received from multiple data sources (multiple DSN station playback, more than one downlink of the same data, etc.) into the best available set of data on each.
    • Removal of instrument signature.
    • Mathematical transforms of time series data.
    • Quality, Quantity, Continuity (QQC) processing of packets at frame level.
  • Level 1A and above (NASA) Products - Second order products derived from Level 0 data that are transformed (e.g., calibrated, corrected, rearranged, resampled, remapped) values of the instrument measurements, packaged with Level 0 and higher order ancillary and auxiliary data (e.g., radiances with  calibration equations applied, magnetic field strength).   Generally referred to as the Reduced Data Record, or RDR.  Products include:
    • Color reconstruction from multiple exposures.
    • Cartographic projections and mosaics.
    • 3-D terrain models.
    • Animation sequences.
    • Mathematical transforms of time series data.
    • Visualization products portraying data from multiple instruments.
    • Visualization products of multispectral data.

b) Digital Product Display -  Visual display of digital products onto monitors:

  • Real-time annotated EDR displays - NTSC format analog video and digital X-Window compatible display.

c) Digital Archive Media - Any of the above digital products can be archived on PDS-Formatted digital media. PDS deliveries can also include text files, calibration data files, software, ancillary data and other information obtained from the Science Team, from processing performed at MIPS, or both.

d) Photo Hardcopy and 3-D Products – Digital image products can be rapidly processed into hardcopy print and 3-D model formats to meet Science Team and PIO timeliness requirements:

  • Qucklook prints recorded on CODONICS devices (8.5x11 inches).
  • Large format photographic quality prints (up to 5x100 feet).
  • Silver halide photographic prints (8.5x11 to 12x18 inches).
  • StereoJet polarized 3-D prints (17x24 inches).
  • Rapid prototype 3-D model printing using ABS plastic.

e) Instrument Calibration File Updates - Based on in-flight data, for instruments that MIPS has supported during pre-flight calibration.

f) Catalog of Instrument and Ancillary Data - Electronic query and retrieval for generating PDS-compatible data products.

MIPL HOME

Questions: Laverne Hall, Instrument Operations Systems Project Element Manager

Webmaster: Shari.Mayer
Last update: April 27, 2006

Document Review: CL 96-0842 on 22-May-96 by Charlotte Marsh