Using JPEG data compression for remote moving window display

CCRS operates two remote sensing data satellite receiving ground stations (one in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and the other in Cantley, Quebec), capable of receiving RADARSAT data, which are geographically distant from the RADARSAT mission control and data processing centres. In order to provide sensor data quickly and downlink quality assessment to the mission control centre and for other time-critical monitoring applications (quality assurance, ice monitoring, etc.), CCRS has developed two FastScan systems with industry. Each Fastscan is capable of processing the RADARSAT downlinked data into imagery and generates a moving window display (MWD) in real-time. The MWD imagery is also JPEG compressed into digital browse imagery which is suitable for electronic transmission to a remote site immediately following downlink reception. At the remote site, these JPEG files will then be re-assembled back and displayed on a MWD station as a complete swath, simulating a near real-time reduced resolution MWD. This paper describes the hardware and software development of the remote MWD station and its data communication link to the two satellite ground stations