Introduction to HimawariCast Groundstation System

The HimawariCast System is a high-performance automatic satellite ground receiving station designed to receive meteorological cloud imagery from Japan Meteorological Agency’s Himawari-8 satellite via the HimawariCast Service. Operating in the C-band, the system collects, decodes, and visualizes satellite data to support meteorological monitoring and forecasting.

Main System Components

1. Receiving Antenna

• Type: 2.4m diameter parabolic dish

• Mount: Heavy-duty pedestal mount for tropical outdoor use (rooftop or ground-based)

• Features: High signal stability and effective rejection of high-frequency interference

2. Signal Conversion Unit (Feed, LNB, Filter)

• Feed Horn: Converts C-band microwave signals into electrical signals

  • Frequency range: 3.4 – 4.2 GHz

  • Operating temperature: -40°C to 60°C

• Band Pass Filter (BPF): Suppresses out-of-band interference

  • Passband: 3.4 – 4.2 GHz

  • Out-of-band attenuation: 25–30 dB

  • Operating temperature: -40°C to 60°C

• LNB (Low Noise Block Downconverter)

  • Gain: 62 dB (typical)

  • Noise temperature: 25K

  • Output frequency range: 950 – 2150 MHz

  • Local oscillator frequency: 5150 MHz

3. DVB-S2 Receiver

• Frequency input: 950 – 2150 MHz

• Data rate: Up to 80 Mbps

• Remote control via TCP/IP

• Front-panel LED status indicators

4. Acquisition Workstation (AWS)

• Controls DVB-S2 receiver

• Handles data reception, decoding, and local storage

• Manages data ingestion using specialized software

5. Data Processing & Visualization Workstation (DPS)

• Converts raw satellite data into Level 2 products

• Uses professional satellite image processing software: PROTEUS and SATAID (from JMA)

Software Overview

1. Image Processing Software

• Processes Level 1 & 2 satellite imagery

• Auto-generates map overlays, color tables, and annotations

• Supports output formats: GEOTIFF, JPEG, PNG, etc.

2. PROTEUS Visualization Software

• Displays and analyzes satellite imagery

• Supports formats: HDF, GEOTIFF, PNG, GIF, KMZ, etc.

• Overlays NWP (Numerical Weather Prediction) data

• 3D cloud rendering, animations, distance/area measurements, and data plotting

3. SATAID Software (by JMA)

• Displays satellite imagery and weather forecast products

• Supports ground observation, radar, IR brightness temperature, etc.

• Includes panoramic views and animated loops

Himawari-8 Satellite Data Products

• Cloud Top Pressure, Height, and Temperature

• Cloud Type and Cloud Fraction

• Land Surface and Sea Surface Temperature

• Hotspots (Wildfires), Fog, Dust, Volcanic Ash

• Convective Activity, Rainfall Estimation

• RGB Composites: Natural Color, Air Mass, Dust, Snow/Fog, Volcanic Ash

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