MMS SCM: AC Magnetic Field Burst Mode Waveforms

Burst mode data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission's Search Coil Magnetometer (SCM), providing high-resolution magnetic field waveforms. The tri-axial instrument measures three-dimensional fluctuations in nanoTesla within the GSE coordinate frame, with onboard calibration checks performed once per orbit. The dataset is produced by NASA, with instrument details documented in a peer-reviewed paper and a data product guide.

Use Cases

• Analyze high-frequency magnetic wave phenomena based on 8192 samples per second burst mode data
• Study three-dimensional magnetic field fluctuations in scientific Regions of Interest (ROI)
• Validate instrument calibration and performance based on onboard calibration signal checks
• Model plasma wave interactions in the magnetosphere based on AC magnetic field waveforms

Strengths

• Data is calibrated by the National Magnetic Observatory, Chambon-la-Foret, prior to launch
• Provides high-resolution waveforms at 8192 samples per second in burst mode
• Onboard calibration signal checks instrument transfer function once per orbit

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• Data is stored in BIN format, which may require specialized tools for access

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured by the tri-axial Search-Coil Magnetometer on the MMS spacecraft, digitized and processed by the Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and collected by the Central Instrument Data Processor (CIDP).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 09:13:15.719551; freshness should be verified