Source Name

Definition

The platform of data collection, as in a spacecraft, ship or ground station housing the sensor(s) used to acquire the data; or as in a map from which the data were digitized; or as in a model from which the data were generated.

Syntax

Source_Name: [SHORT NAME] > [Long Name]

Specifications

May be repeated as many times as necessary
Must be selected from the Source Valids: see Appendix A .
If the source name does not appear in the Source Valids List, a new source name may be submitted for review.
Short name: 1 to 31 characters from the printable ASCII character set, except ">"
Long name: 1 to 80 characters from the printable ASCII character set, except ">"
The short name should be written in all capital letters.

Recommendations

When keying DIFs with source valids, remember to key with the general term as well as the specific term, if applicable. For example, DIFs about data from the NOAA-14 satellite should be keyed with NOAA-14 (specific) and NOAA POES (general).
The Source Valids List is semicontrolled; i.e. the source names in the list of valids must be used. If the appropriate source is not in the valids list, a new source name may be submitted with the DIF for review.
Short name and long name (if any) should be provided.
Short name is usually a mnemonic or abbreviated version of the long name. When submitting a new short name, always check the Source Valids List to ensure mutual exclusivity among source short names. No two sources may have the same short name.
If no short name is available, the long name is written in all capital letters.

Examples

Source_Name:  ERBS > Earth Radiation Budget Satellite
Source_Name:  NIMBUS-7
Source_Name:  UARS > Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite
Source_Name:  SRL-2 > Space Radar Laboratory-2
Source_Name:  WEATHER STATIONS

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