GOES Satellite
FTS is the worldwide leader in GOES communication technology for fire weather monitoring. We were the first to introduce automatic GPS correction of clock and oscillator drift, which provides continual operation of up to 28 days without needing a GPS fix, resulting in close to 100% successful transmissions. We were also the first to offer an HDR (high data rate) GOES transmitter, and our technology is even used by other vendors.
The G5 is available as an integrated option in the Axiom F6 datalogger, or as a separate unit for use with older FTS dataloggers.
The FTS G5 GOES HDR Transmitter operates on the North and South American GOES Satellite networks. The G5 is extensively field proven and has demonstrated industry leading reliability with optimal operational characteristics for remote locations.
- Able to operate for 28 days between GPS synchronizations, maximizing operational availability.
- Optimized for low power operation to extend battery standby operation at remote sites in situations of low power or interrupted solar panel charging.
- Easy set-up and installation:
- Automatic reset and start-up (all configuration data stored in non-volatile memory).
- Works with FTS dataloggers to automatically calculate antenna inclination and bearing.
- Provides diagnostic reports on forward and reflected power for on-site troubleshooting.
Low power requirement and access to satellite signal throughout North America make it ideal for extremely remote locations.
No airtime or data transmission fees.
Not available for every organization.
Must have line-of-sight with satellite. Antenna must be precisely oriented.
About GOES
GOES transmitters send data via Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). GOES satellites have orbits that coincide with the Earth's rotation, allowing each satellite to remain above a specific region. The GOES system is administered by the National Environmental Satellite Data Information Service (NESDIS). NESDIS assigns addresses, uplink channels, and self-timed/random transmit time windows. Self-timed windows allow data transmission only during a predetermined time frame. Random windows are for applications of a critical nature (e.g., flood reporting) and allow transmission immediately after a threshold has been exceeded.
CS2 (HDR2) Ready.
NOAA is in the process of introducing a new standard for GOES transmissions, called “CS2”, which will replace the current standard, called “CS1”. In anticipation of this new standard, FTS has engineered our G5 GOES transmitter to handle the upcoming CS2 standard in addition to the current CS1 standard. FTS is only the second company in the world to have done this.The deadline for manufacturers to begin selling CS2-capable GOES transmitters is May 2012. FTS intends to test our G5 GOES transmitter product thoroughly in the months leading up to that date, so that the product will have all the reliability of prior (CS1) transmitter.
Here are the key dates you need to be aware of:
Here are the key dates you need to be aware of:
May 2012
Any new GOES transmitters purchased (including products which integrate a GOES transmitter) must be CS2-capable. They will be backwards compatible with the CS1 standard.
May 2013
All NESDIS assignments by NOAA are CS2 only
Mid-2023
CS1 standard is no longer supported, any GOES transmitters without CS2 capability will no longer transmit.
More GOES Channels
NOAA has taken the existing frequency bandwidth (266 channels) and split them up into 586 channels. This was done by taking the bandwidth for each individual channel and halving it, resulting in .750 kHz per channel as opposed to the original 1.5khz.
GOES transmissions will not be faster or slower, only the number of channels is greater, allowing NOAA to increase the amount of GOES traffic.
CS2 is backwards compatible
By May 2012, all new GOES transmitters that are sold will be CS2-capable. However, they will continue to work with the CS1 standard which will still be in effect until 2023.
How It Affects GOES Users
The transition to the CS2 standard is mostly transparent—meaning there is really no effect that will be felt. If you examine closely enough you’ll notice the GOES transmitter will perform slightly different (for example, the typical power level will be slightly lower) but there will be no difference in how data is sent or received. Your transmission window stays the same, your NESDIS ID stays the same, there’s nothing you need to do for a long time.
