| Charles Meegan, Giselher Lichti, P. N. Bhat, Elisabetta Bissaldi, Michael S. Briggs, Valerie Connaughton, Roland Diehl, Gerald Fishman, Jochen Greiner, Andrew S. Hoover, Alexander J. van der Horst, Andreas von Kienlin, R. Marc Kippen, Chryssa Kouveliotou, Sheila McBreen, W. S. Paciesas, Robert Preece, Helmut Steinkle, Mark S. Wallace, Robert B. Wilson, Colleen Wilson-Hodge
The Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor (GBM) is a key component of the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope, designed to enhance the study of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) by extending the energy range of observations downward from the Large Area Telescope (LAT) into the hard X-ray range. The primary objectives of GBM include extending the energy range of GRB observations, computing burst locations for re-pointing the spacecraft to observe delayed emission from bright bursts, and providing near-real-time burst information to ground-based observers. GBM uses an array of twelve sodium iodide (NaI) scintillators and two bismuth germanate (BGO) scintillators to detect gamma rays from 8 keV to 40 MeV over the full unoccluded sky. The on-board trigger threshold is approximately 0.7 photons cm\(^{-2}\) s\(^{-1}\), and GBM generates on-board triggers for about 250 GRBs per year.
The GBM instrument consists of NaI and BGO detectors, a Data Processing Unit (DPU), and a Power Box. The NaI detectors measure the low-energy spectrum (8 keV to 1 MeV) and are used to determine the directions to GRBs, while the BGO detectors cover the energy range from 200 keV to 40 MeV. The DPU processes signals from the detectors, controls high and low voltage, and formats data for transmission to the spacecraft and ground. The flight software operates on a microprocessor and handles tasks such as configuring the instrument, sending burst data to the LAT, maintaining background rates, and computing trigger thresholds.
GBM's performance is characterized by its detector response, high-rate performance, on-orbit background, and Automatic Gain Control (AGC). The GBM team has extensively calibrated the detectors and developed Detector Response Matrices (DRMs) to accurately represent the instrument's response function. The AGC system compensates for long-term gain changes by adjusting the PMT high voltage. The on-orbit background is dominated by secondary cosmic-ray-produced photons and the Earth gamma-ray albedo, with significant contributions from the diffuse X-ray background below 150 keV.
The GBM team operates the Instrument Operations Center (GIOC) to receive and process data, generate commands, and maintain operations planning tools. The GIOC also prepares and transmits higher-level data to the Fermi Science Support Center (FSSC). The key data products include daily data, burst data, and updates, which are used for scientific analysis and community access.The Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor (GBM) is a key component of the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope, designed to enhance the study of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) by extending the energy range of observations downward from the Large Area Telescope (LAT) into the hard X-ray range. The primary objectives of GBM include extending the energy range of GRB observations, computing burst locations for re-pointing the spacecraft to observe delayed emission from bright bursts, and providing near-real-time burst information to ground-based observers. GBM uses an array of twelve sodium iodide (NaI) scintillators and two bismuth germanate (BGO) scintillators to detect gamma rays from 8 keV to 40 MeV over the full unoccluded sky. The on-board trigger threshold is approximately 0.7 photons cm\(^{-2}\) s\(^{-1}\), and GBM generates on-board triggers for about 250 GRBs per year.
The GBM instrument consists of NaI and BGO detectors, a Data Processing Unit (DPU), and a Power Box. The NaI detectors measure the low-energy spectrum (8 keV to 1 MeV) and are used to determine the directions to GRBs, while the BGO detectors cover the energy range from 200 keV to 40 MeV. The DPU processes signals from the detectors, controls high and low voltage, and formats data for transmission to the spacecraft and ground. The flight software operates on a microprocessor and handles tasks such as configuring the instrument, sending burst data to the LAT, maintaining background rates, and computing trigger thresholds.
GBM's performance is characterized by its detector response, high-rate performance, on-orbit background, and Automatic Gain Control (AGC). The GBM team has extensively calibrated the detectors and developed Detector Response Matrices (DRMs) to accurately represent the instrument's response function. The AGC system compensates for long-term gain changes by adjusting the PMT high voltage. The on-orbit background is dominated by secondary cosmic-ray-produced photons and the Earth gamma-ray albedo, with significant contributions from the diffuse X-ray background below 150 keV.
The GBM team operates the Instrument Operations Center (GIOC) to receive and process data, generate commands, and maintain operations planning tools. The GIOC also prepares and transmits higher-level data to the Fermi Science Support Center (FSSC). The key data products include daily data, burst data, and updates, which are used for scientific analysis and community access.