Overview and New Features / 231
This chapter describes the pipeline calibration system developed at STScI. This system provides observers with NICMOS data after various instrumental signatures are removed, conversions to flux units are performed, and patterns of exposures are combined. Several enhancements to the HST ground system have been made to support NICMOS, including the concept of associations of datasets and an improved file format for data storage and distribution. A detailed description of the analysis of HST data in general and NICMOS data in particular will be found in the next release of the HST Data Handbook.