IJPS will introduce several new technological advancements to the current POES ground system. These advancements include the following:

Pipeline Processing:  During IJPS, data will be delivered in pipeline mode to NOAA from EUMETSAT. Pipeline processing requires less bandwidth to transfer and equal amount of data. Data is delivered in a constant flow as opposed to the current “burst” delivery method. Upgrades to data and product processing systems are planned to accommodate the pipeline format and continue to meet user timeliness requirements.

X-Band frequency data reception:  MetOp satellites will utilize X-band for downlinking data from the satellites. X-band downlink is required to accommodate the high rate unique instruments on the MetOp satellites, e.g. IASI. X-band provides a much greater downlink capacity than the current L-band, yielding more data in the acquisition window. More data offers the potential to produce new and improved products.

LRPT Data Transmission:  During the IJPS era, satellite data will continue to be available to direct broadcast local users worldwide. MetOp satellites will broadcast three channels of high resolution AVHRR imagery and other NOAA instrument data in real time to the global direct readout community via a new digital Low Resolution Picture Transmission (LRPT) using VHF band.

CCSDS data format:  MetOp data will utilize the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) standards. CCSDS is a communication protocol, optimized for satellite to ground communications. The CCSDS data format creates frames of fixed size, which are compatible with a forward error correction (FEC) system. FEC allows the ground system to identify data errors.

AVHRR differences:  The AVHRR/3 is the same instrument aboard both the NOAA and MetOp satellites. MetOp’s use of solid state recorders and X-band link permit the receipt of full resolution global 1-km data. NOAA will continue to generate 4-km global AVHRR products for continuity of the polar-orbiting mission.

MetOp Maneuvers:  The MetOp satellites will be able to perform post-launch maneuvers to maintain their 9:30am equator crossing time, extending the useful life of many products. Several times per year the satellite altitude can be raised to compensate for atmospheric drag. Less frequently, an out-of-plane maneuver can be performed to maintain inclination and a precise Longitude crossing at the equator.