Calibration stability, or, how long can an instrument response file be used for?

Technical Support
1

I’ve created my own analysis pipeline using obspy for my shake data. I’m using a downloaded copy of the instrument response file in XML format to extract displacement values. The instrument response file appears to be available relatively soon from the servers after connecting a new RS3D/4D to the network. I did notice however that every so often there was a problem with the download at which point the obspy call to retrieve the instrument response fails.

To counter this I have simply downloaded the response files for my shakes and am using them “offline”, i.e. simply loading them in obspy like so:

    inv = obspy.read_inventory("response_filename.xml")

The question now beckons how long these can reasonably be used for? I’ve been running the oldest shake I have for about 3 weeks now, always with the same response file, and the displacement data I am getting looks reasonable.

Would @Stormchaser or @branden have any guidance on this?

Thanks!

Balthasar

2

hi balthasar,

the response files, in terms of the values used to deconvolve the data, do not change over time. the only thing which can change over time are any meta-data values related to going off-line and / or its location, neither of which have an effect on removing the instrument response from the signal.

cheers,
richard

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