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5 Data Processing 5.1 Real-Time Requirements Those data that are required for the day-to-day direction and operation of the experiment should be available in real time (elapsed time of a few hours or less) at the experiment headquarters. Only a small fraction of the data from the experiment will be required in the real-time mode. These will in- clude cloud images from the geosynchronous satellite (regular and enhanced), certain synoptic analysis products, and possibly some of the radar data from the ship-based network. In addition, it will be necessary to sample the output of the various com- ponents of the observing system from time to time, to test whether equipment is functioning properly. 5.2 Constant-Lag Time Requirements Those data that relate to the primary scientific objectives but that are not re- quired for the real-time operation of the experiment should be processed in the constant-lag time mode. These data should be available to the scientific community, in fully processed form, within some specified time interval from the time that they are taken. The time interval is negotiable; it may range from a week to a few months. Data formats should be agreed upon and publicized well before the time of the experiment. It is probable that a number of investigators will be conducting their own observing programs within the overall framework of the experiment. Data- processing requirements for these programs should be left to the discretion of the individuals involved. Data-processing facilities should be made avail- able to these investigators on a noninterference basis. 22
