What RFS-X is, what it measures, and how to read it
Clear definitions for search engines, AI summaries, and humans. CPS means Coherence Pattern Signature; the RFS scalar is bounded 0-2; Phase-Lock R measures phase coherence across the Sun-Earth coupling stack.
What is RFS-X?
RFS-X is a continuously-running heliospheric coherence monitoring system developed by Resonance Coherent Systems. It tracks the state of the Sun-Earth coupling environment in real time using proprietary metrics derived from publicly available solar wind, geomagnetic, and cosmic ray data sources. The system has been operating and validated against 30 years of NOAA geomagnetic data (1996-2026).
What does RFS stand for?
RFS stands for Resonant Field State. The RFS scalar is the system's primary composite output: a single number that summarizes the integrated state of the heliospheric field at any given hour. It is bounded between 0 and 2, with a 63-year baseline near 1.0. Values above 1.0 indicate elevated activity; values below 1.0 indicate quieter-than-baseline conditions.
What is CPS? What does CPS stand for?
CPS stands for Coherence Pattern Signature. It is a 0-to-100 score that measures the simultaneous activation of three independent coupling-state signals: CCI Geometry, GOES Hp30 deviation, and USGS ground station coherence. A CPS score of 78 or above indicates Full Pattern: all three signals simultaneously active. CPS Full Pattern events have been validated against 30 years of NOAA storm data with 99.3% recall at +/-24 hours.
What is Phase-Lock R?
Phase-Lock R is a Kuramoto order parameter computed across multiple frequency bands: Sub-ULF, Long-ULF, and Pc5. It uses Hilbert-transform phase extraction from driver-side channels and responder-side channels in the Sun-Earth coupling stack. Values range from 0, no coherence, to 1, full phase synchronization. Phase-Lock R is available to Operational tier subscribers and above.
What is the RFS scalar range?
The RFS scalar is bounded between 0 and 2 by construction. The 63-year historical mean is approximately 0.91. The scale is not 0 to 100; that is the CPS score range.
What is the difference between RFS-X and NOAA space weather alerts?
NOAA issues geomagnetic storm alerts based on real-time Kp index threshold crossings and observed solar wind conditions at L1. RFS-X tracks a different quantity: multi-signal coherence patterns in the Sun-Earth coupling environment. RFS-X does not replace NOAA; it provides a complementary, earlier-signal view of coupling-state conditions.
Has RFS-X been independently validated?
The CPS detector has been cross-validated against the NOAA geomagnetic storm catalog from 1996 to 2026, achieving 99.3% recall at +/-24 hours and 100% recall on G3, G4, and G5 class events. Results are published openly on Zenodo at DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20785759. Independent heliophysicist review of the validation methodology is ongoing.
Who is RFS-X for?
RFS-X serves space weather enthusiasts, aurora chasers, ham radio operators, research groups studying heliospheric coupling, operational teams tracking space weather risk, and heliophysics researchers who want API access to a 30-year phase-coherence dataset.
Is there a free tier?
Yes. The free tier requires no account and provides the live RFS scalar, CPS score and phase band, a read-only CPS event log, and the last Full Pattern event timestamp. Paid tiers provide full historical access, alerts, exports, and additional metrics.