<title>GOES imager upgrade design for minimum system impact</title>

Abstract

An engineering design of an Jinager upgrade is under consideration for the GOES.N/Q seiies. The upgrade consists of adding up to three new JR channels at 4 km resolution and doubling the earth coverage rate. The design approach introdixes advancedtechnOlOaj as needed to minimize impacts to the sensor optical and mechanical configuration, eleclrcnicsbox layout, data cxnmunicaticn links and ground systns. By operating presently redundant portions of detector arrays and developing double rate signalprocessors, the scanning servo system and electronics modules are largely retaineL Bicolor detectors and optical coatings are used to add channels while retaining the present relay optics and radiant cooler layouts. Lossy data compression ofvisible imagery and lossless data compression ofiR imageiy are used to preserve the ssor data and processed data relay ocmmuthcaiicns links. SysteniNEDT and SNR performance and implementation issues for new technologies are addressed.