MTSAT Image Data Acquisition and Control System

Japan is developing a series of geostationary satellites called Multi-functional Transport Satellites (MTSAT) with an Earth-observation meteorological capability to replace that of the ageing GMS series. Under the direction of the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA), Japanese industry has responsibility for the ground facilities, with LogicaCMG responsible for major parts of the Image Data Acquisition and Control System (IDACS).

This paper describes the functions and structure of the IDACS and gives an insight into the techniques used. The IDACS performs image acquisition; radiometric and geometric correction; encryption and decryption; and compression. The system generates high quality processed images for dissemination to users and for the derivation of weather products transmitted (via the MTSAT satellites) using the HRIT and LRIT standards.

The system also includes a reference reception function to monitor the quality of the re-transmitted meteorological products, and operates on dual-redundant hardware with automatic failover. State-of-the-art algorithms are employed to process the meteorological imagery providing JMA with the most advanced facility of its type in the world.