Working Effectively with the PFISR Long Term Database

Traditionally incoherent scatter radars (ISRs) have been operated on a campaign basis. The Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) changed this norm by using a low-duty cycle mode in between scheduled experiments to create a nearly continuous database. PFISR has been operating for greater than 90% of the time between 1 March 2007 and the present, meaning it has now produced a complete solar cycle of nearly continuous operations. These data create exciting opportunities for long-term statistical studies, but they also present challenges. PFISR has run hundreds of different types of experiments over its history, and the data format from each experiment is slightly different. The PFISR hardware has been changing over time as the result of equipment failures, repairs, and upgrades. The PFISR analysis software has also undergone multiple revisions. We will discuss strategies for working effectively with the PFISR database using examples from current long-term statistical studies of sporadic-E occurrence and E-region neutral winds. We will also propose revisions to our data management and distribution processes that we think will improve the users’ ability to conduct more of these kinds of studies in the future.