LISA is a space-based mHz gravitational-wave observatory, with a planned launch in 2034. It is expected to be the first detector of its kind, and will present unique challenges in instrumentation and data analysis. An accurate preflight simulation of LISA data is a vital part of the development of both the instrument and the analysis methods. The simulation must include a detailed model of the full measurement and analysis chain, capturing the main features that affect the instrument performance and processing algorithms. Here, we propose a new model that includes, for the first time, proper relativistic treatment of reference frames with realistic orbits, a model for onboard clocks and clock synchronization measurements, proper modeling of total laser frequencies (including laser locking), frequency planning and Doppler shifts, better treatment of onboard processing, and updated noise models. We then introduce two implementations of this model, lisanode and lisa instrument. We demonstrate that TDI processing successfully recovers gravitational-wave signals from the significantly more realistic and complex simulated data. lisanode and lisa instrument are already widely used by the LISA community and, for example, currently provide the mock data for the LISA data challenges.

• Received 13 December 2022
• Accepted 17 March 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.107.083019

Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

Published by the American Physical Society