XMM-Newton Data Files Handbook


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4.1.5.3 EPIC PN Auxiliary File

An EPIC PN Auxiliary file (*PN*AUX.FIT) is created for each exposure in which at least one CCD node is producing either timing or imaging mode data. Each file consists of two binary tables:

  1. the first extension contains the frame information for all the active CCDs (see Appendix A.2 of [6] for a description of the relevant algorithm)

  2. the second extension contains the statistical information which is produced by each quadrant after a certain number of cycles (see Appendix A.2 of [6] for a description of the relevant algorithm).

A single file per observation is created, where each row is labelled according to the relevant frame and CCD identifier (in the first extension). The binary tables consist of the columns listed in Table 9 and Table 10, respectively.


Table: EPIC PN Auxiliary file (*PN*AUX.FIT) binary table columns for the extension PNAUX1
Name Type$^a$ Units Description
FRAME 1J COUNTER Frame number
CYCLE 1J COUNTER Cycle Identifier
FTCOARSE 1I SECOND Coarse frame time
FTFINE 1I 20.48$\mu$s Fine time frame
QUADRANT 1B   Quadrant identifier
CCDID 1B   CCD identifier
$^a$See Sect. 9 for convention

Table: EPIC PN Auxiliary file (*PN*AUX.FIT) binary table columns for the extension PNAUX2
Name Type$^a$ Units Description
CYCLE 1J COUNTER Cycle Identifier
QUADRANT 1B   Quadrant identifier
NABOVE 1I COUNTS ATHR Counter
NDEFA 1I   DEFA Counter
NEPDH 1I   EPDH Counter
NDISCLIN 1I   Discarder Line Counters
MCOMMODE I1   Mean Common Mode
$^a$See Sect. 9 for convention


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Next: 4.1.6 RGS science files Up: 4.1.5 EPIC PN science files Previous: 4.1.5.2 EPIC PN Timing/Burst Mode Event List File
European Space Agency - XMM-Newton Science Operations Centre