Understanding CERES Products File Name

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wfmiller
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Understanding CERES Products File Name

by wfmiller » Tue Nov 26, 2019 4:30 pm America/New_York

In looking for CERES data on Earthdata, I have found multiple files for a given date with the only difference being in the six-digit number just before the date. What is this number and how do I choose which product to order?

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Re: Understanding CERES Products File Name

by EarthdataForumContributor » Tue Nov 26, 2019 5:14 pm America/New_York

CERES file names are formed using the dataset name, configuration code and date information which make each file name unique. The 6-digit number is the configuration code for file and software version management.

Multiple files which are identical in all aspects of the filename except for the 6 digit configuration code (see Collection Guide) differ little, if any, scientifically. Users may, therefore, analyze data from the same satellite/instrument, data set version, and data product without regard to configuration code.

Below is more specific information on the naming convention that is used.

A Dataset name consists of CER_<ProductID>_<Sampling-Strategy>_<Production-Strategy>
Eg. CER_SSF_Terra-FM1-MODIS_Edition2B

The SSF Filename consists of the <Dataset name> combined with the <Configuration Code> and <Date> to make it unique
Eg. CER_SSF_Terra-FM1-MODIS_Edition2B_120145.2001052812

<ProductID> Identification value - CRS, ES8, SSF, SYN
<Sampling-Strategy> Satellite, instrument, and imager - TRMM-PFM-VIRS, Terra-FM1-MODIS, Aqua-FM3-MODIS
<Production-Strategy> Edition or campaign - At-launch, Edition2, ValidationR1
<Config-Code> 6-digit file and software version management code number - 120145
<Date> Date in the form YYYYMMDDHH - 2001052812 (May 28, 2001 GMT hr12)

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Re: Understanding CERES Products File Name

by wfmiller » Tue Nov 26, 2019 5:48 pm America/New_York

A change in the first three digits of the configuration code indicates a change in one of the inputs for the product, such as going form MODIS Collection 5, to 6 to 6.1. The last three numbers are related to new software being delivered.

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Re: Understanding CERES Products File Name

by wfmiller » Tue Nov 26, 2019 5:53 pm America/New_York

Additionally, Data Description/Abstracts are available on the product page.Within this document you can relate Configuration codes to the changes that are related to them.

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