The Tracking Data Formatter program is designed to convert data in a variety of formats to blocked GEODYN-II binary format. (64-bit floating point format). Input to the program consists of BIH tables, a set of users option cards and data of various format types falling into one of the following categories:
Chronologically ordered files containing any kind of the above data types can be input and they are block time merged. The output observation file (IUNT41) contains blocks of data sorted by measurement type and by tracking pass.
The Tracking Data Formatter includes input card processing and a limited amount of data preprocessing.
The input cards introduce certain limits and requirements for further data reduction, (special description follows).
During measurement processing input files of data are read and time
merged. Furthermore they are converted into internal binary format and each
preprocessing word is decomposed. Range data are transit time corrected (all
time changed to ground received) and all data are changed to UTC time. Logical
file blocks are formed which include one measurement type from one tracking
pass per output block. Preprocessing words are composed according to GEODYN-II
binary tracking data format and the Header Record as well as the Observation
Records are formed for each block.