Datasheet

13
Manual
Detailed Outline of Data Trajectory
The datalogger works under a specific Campbell Scientific operating system and is controlled by the METSTAT
datalogger program for meteorological stations. These programs are specifically created by the project GCP/INT/752/
ITA – Nile Basin Water Resources for the sensor configuration and data requirements in the network established by
the project. The datalogger program has been tested extensively by the project specialists, proved to work properly
and require no further user intervention.
As indicated in paragraph 2.2, data is transferred from datalogger to PC with help of the SM4M/SM192 storage
module. These modules use a specific Campbell Scientific data format, which is highly condensed in order to make
optimal use of its memory.
Once the observed data are downloaded to the storage module, the next steps are performed by using PC208W
Datalogger Support Software. This is a special software package developed by Campbell Scientific for communication
between datalogger and PC. It consists of 8 modules of which only two are of interest for handling meteorological
data measured in the network established by the project in the Nile Basin.
The StgModule component of the software retrieves files from the SM4M or SM192 Storage Module into ASCII files
on PC without any modification of the original data structure and sequence stored in the storage module.
The Report component, often referred to as Split, is used to split, restructure and separate these ASCII files
according to the required file/table structure of the user, transfer the dates from Julian format to corresponding
months and days, and store the resulting data groups into a comma separated ASCII file. The latter format is
preferred for subsequent import of external data into MS Access.
Final data processing is accomplished by using MS Access database software package through several pre-
defined database tables and queries; the tables and queries have been specifically tailored for final processing of
meteorological data observed in the network established by the project. Lastly, the processed data are appended and
finally stored into the appropriate tables in the MS Access based Nile Basin Database.
2.4 Comprehensive Data Trajectory
In order to arrive at a complete understanding of interconnections between the various hardware and software
elements that play a role in the data flow, table 1 presents a comprehensive overview of the entire data trajectory
- from initial measurement to final dissemination. It shows the place and function of the respective hardware and
software items and their interrelation. Furthermore, it lists in a sequential order all necessary user actions.
All the actions described in table 1 are covered in this manual except for those indicated under the 1, 2 and 8. These
three actions are included into the table for user’s benefit of having better insight into the whole data trajectory –
starting from its onsite measurement by a sensor and ending up with the use of stored data for various types of
water resources analysis, studies and modeling. The procedures concerned with actions 1 and 2 are covered in the
respective operation and installation manuals specifically concerned with Automatic Weather Stations established
within the project. The action refers to a broad range of applications in water resources analysis and modeling
which are described elsewhere, including a series of training notes for data processing and analysis within the geo-
referenced database as well as The Nile Basin Decision Support Tool manuals and software packages developed
under the project.
Consequently, as already indicated in paragraph 1.1, this manual covers in detail the actions 3 to 7 given in table
1.