TRMM Microwave Imager Raw Satellite Data in HDF5 Format

GPM_BASETRMMTMI contains unaltered, raw instrument counts from the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) aboard the TRMM satellite. The data is repackaged from CCSDS packets into HDF5 format and geolocated. The product was created by the GES DISC organization, with a last documented update in April 2015.

Use Cases

• Develop and validate calibration algorithms for the TRMM Microwave Imager using the raw instrument counts.
• Perform geolocation analysis of satellite swath data using the provided geolocated sample data.
• Conduct sensor inter-comparison studies by analyzing the unaltered TMI data against other satellite instruments.
• Reprocess raw TMI data into higher-level geophysical products using custom calibration methods.

Strengths

• Data is in the standardized, widely-supported HDF5 format.
• Contains raw, uncalibrated counts directly from the instrument for foundational analysis.

Limitations

• Data recency is unknown; the last documented update was in 2015, indicating potential staleness.
• No calibration or geophysical interpretation is applied, requiring significant expertise for use.
• Specific data volume, row count, and spatial/temporal coverage details are not provided.

Provenance

Source

TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) instrument aboard the TRMM satellite, processed by GES DISC.

Collection Method

Raw satellite data repackaged from Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) packets into HDF5 format and geolocated.

Freshness

Last documented update was 2015-04-08; update frequency is null.

Geography

Coverage is from the TRMM satellite orbit, which focused on tropical and subtropical regions.