User manual ARGOS ARGOS

[. . . ] Argos User's Manual © 2007-2008 CLS Last updated, October 14, 2008 Table Of Contents 1. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . System components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2. 1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ] Until they are updated, Message format is the only way to guarantee compatibility with preexisting software programs. For processing complex formats that change over time Even if CLS is continually developing new automatic processing tools, certain manufacturer formats are too complex to be automatically decoded as observations. This is the case for platforms that are programmed to change at pre-defined dates (certain animal application platforms, for example). For keeping a raw data archive If you are building a data archive, it can be advantageous to store your data in Message format. That way, you can apply updated processing techniques later on, or easily identify a processing error. B1 Curve B2 Curve 22 4. Data processing B3 Curve B4 Curve 23 Argos User's Manual 24 5. How to open an Argos account 5. 1 Obtaining a program 5. 1. 1 Filling out an SUA form and ID number request form The SUA (System Use Agreement) form Argos is a location and data collection system designed for studying and protecting the environment. Use of the Argos system is subject to approval from the Operations Committee made up of representatives from the: · · · French Space Agency (CNES), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), European Organization for Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (Eumetsat). The objective of an Argos program must comply with the rules of use defined by the Operations Committee as referred to in the SUA, which can be downloaded from https://www. argossystem. org/html/userarea/forms_en. html. To open an Argos program simply fill out an SUA and send it duly signed to the CLS regional correspondent (office or branch) or, for North American users, to CLS America, who will submit it to the Operations Committee for approval. Once the SUA is approved by the Operations Committee, the corresponding Argos program can be opened. This agreement has a time limit and must be renewed periodically as specified in Article 4 of the SUA form. Platform identification number request form (ID number) All SUA forms must be accompanied by an ID number request form. Platform characteristics and the required message processing are also specified on this form. Platform messages are processed and decoded in compliance with the information supplied for declaration in the system. For standard platforms, 25 Argos User's Manual models predefined in cooperation with manufacturers are applied. Users encountering any difficulty in filling out this form may contact the platform manufacturer and obtain the information required for processing. For a non-standard platform model (generating specific messages requiring an interpretation method unknown to CLS), the user must ask the manufacturer to contact User Services to provide the definition of the associated processing. 5. 1. 2 Choosing the services (price list) The various "basic" or "value added" Argos services and the applicable prices are described in the price list. The price list is updated annually. 5. 1. 3 Filling out the service contract/order form Once the SUA is confirmed, the User Services sends a service contract/order form with the applicable price list. This contractual document recapitulates the subscribed services for processing and invoicing. It must be filled out and signed by the user then sent to the User Services so that the program can be created and the ID numbers assigned. Any modification to the service contract/order form must be expressed in writing and sent to User Services for acknowledgement. 5. 1. 4 Receiving confirmation of program creation Once the signed order form has been received, User Services sends a Program Overview informing users about their program, data access codes and the ID numbers assigned to their platforms. Upon user request, the ID numbers can also be sent to the platform manufacturer so that they can be programmed as early as possible. Users with several Argos programs may ask to keep the same data access codes (username/password pair) for all their programs or, if necessary, ask for separate access codes. 5. 2 Managing a program 5. 2. 1 Testing and deploying platforms Before deploying the platforms, it is important to test them under conditions as similar as possible to those of their operating environment to check that they operate correctly. [. . . ] Processing Center: Processing centers receive raw satellite telemetry data, using it to calculate locations and process messages to send data to users. Two processing centers, one in Maryland in the United States and the other in Toulouse, France, ensure continuity of service. Program: A program includes all Argos platforms used for the same project, belonging to a user and for which a System Use Agreement (SUA) has been approved. See "Platform" Purchase Order: Contract between CLS and the user defining the services ordered by the user. R Raw telemetry data: Messages received and stored on board the satellite, which are then transmitted to the ground for processing. [. . . ]