Digital Data Acquisition and Processing from a Remote Magnetic Observatory

High quality magnetic field measurements in the auroral zone are particularly important in present studies of magnetospheric physics. The standard analog magnetometers are inappropriate because of limited dynamic range, sensitivity, and time resolution and inconveniences in the manipulation of the data. Remote observatories using satellite type magnetometers and digital data acquisition systems are therefore a desirable improvement. To complement the UCLA magnetometer on ATS-1, we have established a magnetic observatory near the ATS-1 conjugate point at Tungsten, N.W.T., Canada. The maintenance of this station and computer processing of the data have involved a number of unexpected problems which could delay similar efforts elsewhere. Therefore, the instrumentation and data processing for this observatory are described, with particular emphasis on outstanding problems. Alternatives to the use of digital incremental tape recorders as in the present system, e.g., data transmission via satellite link, are also discussed.