Raw data from the satellite is transmitted to Earth as “RDR” files
(Raw Data Records). Most users should never come across these
files.
• RDR files are processed (the data is calibrated) and converted to
“SDR” files (Sensor Data Records). For most users, these are the
“raw” data files.
– It is during this step that the geolocation information is calculated and
written to a file
– Data is also converted from raw counts to radiance, reflectance and/or
brightness temperature
• A limited number of SDR files are processed and mapped to a
“ground-track Mercator” projection and, thus, converted to “EDR”
files (Environmental Data Records).