M211317EN-E User Guide IRIS Radar IRIS
PUBLISHED BY Vaisala Oyj Street address: Mailing address: Phone: Fax: Vanha Nurmijärventie 21, FI-01670 Vantaa, Finland P.O. Box 26, FI-00421 Helsinki, Finland +358 9 8949 1 +358 9 8949 2227 Visit our Internet pages at www.vaisala.com.
Table of Contents Table of Contents 1. About This Document........................................................................................ 7 1.1. Version Information............................................................................................... 7 1.2. Related Documents................................................................................................7 1.3. Documentation Conventions................................................................................ 8 1.4.
IRIS User Guide 5. Managing Servers..............................................................................................29 5.1. Customizing the Server List............................................................................... 29 5.2. Connecting to Servers..........................................................................................31 5.3. Disconnecting Servers......................................................................................... 31 6.
Table of Contents Appendix A: Task Configuration Examples....................................................87 A.1. Task Configurations............................................................................................. 87 A.1.1. SURVEILLANCE............................................................................................. 87 A.1.2. VOL_A............................................................................................................ 88 A.1.3. VOL_B..........................
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E List of Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14 Figure 15 Figure 16 Figure 17 Figure 18 Figure 19 Figure 20 Figure 21 Figure 22 Figure 23 Figure 24 Figure 25 Figure 26 Figure 27 Figure 28 Figure 29 Figure 30 Figure 31 4 IRIS Network Connections...............................................................................12 IRIS Processes.........................................
List of Tables List of Tables Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Table 5 Table 6 Table 7 Table 8 Table 9 Table 10 Table 11 Table 12 Table 13 Table 14 Table 15 Table 16 Table 17 Table 18 Table 19 Table 20 Table 21 Table 22 Table 23 Table 24 Table 25 Table 26 Table 27 Table 28 Table 29 Table 30 Table 31 Table 32 Document Versions...............................................................................................7 Weather Radar Documentation............................................................
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Chapter 1 – About This Document 1. About This Document 1.1. Version Information This manual provides information about using IRIS Radar software. Table 1 Document Versions Document Code Description M211317EN-E This manual. Fifth version. November 2016 M211317EN-D Fourth version. September 2014 M211317EN-C Third version. November 2013 1.2.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E 1.3. Documentation Conventions WARNING! Warning alerts you to a serious hazard. If you do not read and follow instructions carefully at this point, there is a risk of injury or even death. CAUTION! Caution warns you of a potential hazard. If you do not read and follow instructions carefully at this point, the product could be damaged or important data could be lost. Note highlights important information on using the product.
Chapter 2 – IRIS Introduction 2. IRIS Introduction 2.1. IRIS Radar Overview IRIS Radar is a weather monitoring, tracking, and forecasting system for Doppler and nonDoppler weather radar applications. IRIS Radar provides tools for operating a radar network and distributing radar products.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E 2.3. IRIS Tasks A radar task is a set of operating parameter configurations for the radar antenna, transmitter, receiver, and signal processing systems. The data acquired during the task are stored on disk as ingest files, which serve as the data base for radar product generation. Examples of tasks include: • • • • Surveillance PPI scan at a single elevation angle. Complete volume scan at multiple elevation angles. PPI sector scan at either single or multiple elevation angles.
Chapter 2 – IRIS Introduction Set-up Location Description IRIS/Analysis Central office Receives raw data products from the radar site over the network or from an archive device, such as a tape or optical disk. Supports the full product set as well as remote control and monitoring. IRIS/Display Remote workstation Receives processed product files or raw data over the network or from an archive, and uses them for display purposes.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Radar Control Processor Software RCP software steers the radar antenna in the defined measuring direction to read the azimuth and elevation angles from the angle encoders. The angle values are combined with the output of the RVP signal processing to display measured radar data as a function of azimuth, elevation, and time.
Chapter 2 – IRIS Introduction 2.6.5. Color Printer and Output File Formats An optional color printer provides hardcopies of products, prints tape/DVD disk inventories, and supports other system maintenance and documentation. Color postscript printers are supported. The output files can be formatted as IRIS Native, TIFF with optimal compression, BMP, GIF, JPG, Postscript, or Compressed serial link format. 2.6.6. Tape Drive and DVD Storage A DVD is used for IRIS installation.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Radar Base Data for example, dBZ, V, W Ingest Process Real Time Display Ingest Files Product Generator Local or Networked Workstation PC/Linux Data Product Files Product Output Process Ethernet Bridge Archive Medium Color PostScript Hardcopy PC/Linux Figure 2 IRIS Processes 2.7.1. Ingest Process The signal processor sends base data to the IRIS Ingest Process. The Ingest Process controls the signal processor and RCP for the data acquisition.
Chapter 2 – IRIS Introduction IRIS executes one task at a time, but up to 8 separately defined tasks can be scheduled to run at different times, and up to 26 tasks can be linked together to form a single hybrid task. Running the radar comprises defining the task configuration and the task schedule. IRIS provides menus for performing these operations and allows you to save the results on disk so that task configurations and schedules can be recalled easily.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E • Interactive Quick Look Windows. • Disk files on networked workstations, where the products are available for local display and manipulation. Many different formats are supported. • Tape drives, DVDs, or Large Disk Arrays for data recording (archiving). • Printers for hardcopy. A Product Output process takes the product file, reformats or compresses it as required by the device, and transmits it over the appropriate interface.
Chapter 2 – IRIS Introduction Client The IRIS client runs the menus — the user interface for viewing products and managing the host. The client menus let users define products and tasks, establish schedules, and monitor the host's activities. The client runs locally on the user's computer and connects to an IRIS server on the network or on the same computer. 2.8. Viewing IRIS Documentation To read IRIS product documentation, use the Adobe(TM) acroread(TM) reader.
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Chapter 3 – Starting and Stopping IRIS 3. Starting and Stopping IRIS 3.1. Logging in to the Host Computer Systems configured at the Vaisala factory have the following default usernames and passwords. Most users log in to IRIS Radar as either observer or radarop. Only use the root account if you must perform administrative tasks. Table 5 Default User Names and Passwords Username Password observer xxxxxx radarop xxxxxx root xxxxxxxx 1. To log on to the host, enter your user name and password.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E 3.3. Exiting IRIS Client 1. Select Exit > Exit. 3.4. Starting the IRIS Host IRIS starts automatically on boot-up. Check that power is applied to the radar and all IRIS devices. While this is not essential to starting IRIS, it must be done at some point. CAUTION! When IRIS starts up, it tries to execute default operating tasks. If there is a danger to personnel from radiation, set your radar console switch in the Local position so that IRIS cannot take control.
Chapter 3 – Starting and Stopping IRIS 3.5. Rebooting the IRIS Host The host computer usually runs 24 hours/day. If it is turned off, or if there is a power failure, the system manger or an operator designed by the system manager must boot the system. Most systems, and unattended systems, are configured to reboot automatically when the power is turned on. This can take several minutes to complete. If your system should reboot automatically but does not, check the BIOS configuration.
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Chapter 4 – Using IRIS Menus 4. Using IRIS Menus 4.1. IRIS Menus Overview IRIS menus provide tools for defining how IRIS collects, processes, and displays radar data. Multiple users can access the menus. The most recently save configuration is stored. CAUTION! IRIS does not warn you if other users are editing task configurations or if the radar is being controlled by other users. Access rights define who can view or edit a menu.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Menu Users Description Quick Look Window All Users Provide easy access to IRIS data for forecasting applications. Radar Status radarop and Observers1) Monitor and control hardware components and IRIS configuration. Real-Time Display All Users View the PPI or RHI radar scan in real time. TASK Configuration All Users Configure radar and signal processing tasks, such as a volume scan.
Chapter 4 – Using IRIS Menus 4.3. Accessing IRIS Menus 1. Select Menus and choose a menu from the list. 2. Within each menu, select File to perform common operations. Table 7 File Menu Menu Option Description Open Load (Menus with live data such as Overlay) Show a list of configuration files you can load in the menu. Save as Save your configuration under the same name or under a new name that you specify. Delete Delete the configuration file that is currently loaded in the menu.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E 3. Select Update Now to sync the information when many IRIS menus are running at the same time. 4. Select Reset Size to reset the menu to its default size. 4.4. Entering Information in Menus Table 8 Enter Menu Information Mode Description Text fields Enter the text, such as the name of a configuration file or a numeric value, in the field or select the button next to the field to show a list of valid values.
Chapter 4 – Using IRIS Menus 4.5. Viewing the Graphical IRIS Menu Figure 4 Graphical IRIS Menu Bar 1. To toggle the graphical menu on or off, select Tools > Display IRIS Image.
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Chapter 5 – Managing Servers 5. Managing Servers 5.1. Customizing the Server List IRIS client menus run locally on your workstation. You can connect these menus to your local IRIS server or IRIS servers on other computers where IRIS is running. When you run the IRIS menus for the first time, you must define the list of IRIS servers that you want to be able to access. The server that is running on your local workstation, localhost, is listed by default.
IRIS User Guide Figure 5 M211317EN-E Customize Server List 1. To increase or decrease the number of servers allowed in the list, enter a number in the Servers field. If the number of servers is larger than the number of known servers, unused entries are listed as Button Name entries. If the number of servers is smaller than the number of entries in the list, entries are removed, beginning with the last server in the list. 2. On the IRIS menu, select Connect > Customize Server.
Chapter 5 – Managing Servers 5. Select OK to add the server to the list. The server list is stored on disk so that the entries you make in one session are available in the next. 6. Select Apply to save your changes. 5.2. Connecting to Servers To activate IRIS menus, you must be connected to a server running an IRIS host. You can connect to only one server at a time. If you are an IRIS observer, you can connect a host and view menus but cannot change menus that control the radar or network operation. 1.
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Chapter 6 – Managing Audio Settings 6. Managing Audio Settings Figure 6 Audio Setup 1. Select Tools > Audio Setup. 2. Configure speech options in the Speech panel. a. Select or deselect Enable to enable or disable all speech originating from your local workstation. b. Define the sound output settings • Select Local to output to the sound card in your workstation. • Select Remote to the specified PC using the specified port number. For remote output, enter the Hostname of the workstation.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E 3. Configure sound options in the Sound panel. a. Under Hardware, if you have a sound card, select Sound Card. If you do not have a sound card, select Bell. b. Under Alarm, select Continuous or Timed alarm. For timed alarm, select the time (in seconds) for how long beep, honk, or other sound you want to hear. a. For Alarm File, select the .wav file you want to hear when IRIS gives an alarm message. The loudspeaker icon plays a sample to help you choose.
Chapter 7 – Using the Radar Status Menu 7. Using the Radar Status Menu 7.1. Running Radar from the Radar Status Menu Figure 7 Radar Status Menu The Radar Status menu provides tools for running, configuring, controlling, and monitoring an IRIS radar or analysis system. Because it involves real-time processes, the Radar Status menu is a radarop menu. Anyone may view the menu. The DEFAULT configuration is automatically loaded when IRIS first starts.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E The name assigned to the Radar Status menu defines a complete mode of operation. To set up a mode of operation, set-up and save the Radar Status menu. 1. Make sure IRIS has started. 2. Select Menus > Radar Status. When IRIS starts, the IRIS DEFAULT configuration loads. 3. If you want to use a mode other than DEFAULT, select File > Open and then a configuration file from the list.
Chapter 7 – Using the Radar Status Menu Figure 8 Radar Status Menu Control Section CAUTION! Set the DEFAULT IRIS configuration so Radiate and Servo Power are off if there is a possible hazard to personnel when IRIS starts. TASK Schedule Determines which task schedule is run. Select the button to show a list of available task schedules. Ingest Process Provides control and status for the software that runs the radar system and creates ingest files. Toggle this button to start or stop radar operation.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Radiate Controls the transmitter radiate with the following options: • Auto — For normal operation. IRIS turns the transmitter radiate on and off automatically. For example, if there is no task to be run for five minutes or more, IRIS temporarily turns the radiation off. • On — The transmitter radiate is on at all times during IRIS operation. This is the recommended setting for magnetron radars. • Off — The transmitter radiate is off at all times during IRIS operation.
Chapter 7 – Using the Radar Status Menu Site Status Gets information from Status products that are either received over the network or made locally. These are made automatically at each radar site on a fixed schedule (for example, every 10 minutes) as set in the setup/product utility. See IRIS and RDA Utilities Guide. The Status product can then be sent automatically over the network through the Product Output Menu.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E The field also displays the number of IRIS systems to which you are connected. If the number is 0, you are not currently connected. The other computer may not be running IRIS or the connection may be broken. You can toggle this field on and off to attempt to reestablish a broken connection. Check with your system manager if you are uncertain. IRIS Webview If your system is running IRIS Focus server, you must enable the IRIS Webview option.
Chapter 7 – Using the Radar Status Menu Depending on the device, the status is obtained from self-tests invoked when the radar process starts and from watchdog process that monitor the device during normal operations. Status information displayed with the status message NA (not available) indicate that a device has not been installed.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E 7.1.3. Antenna and Transmitter Status The Radar Status > Antenna and Transmitter Status pane shows the status for the antenna, transmitter and BITE systems, including antenna position and velocity. Figure 11 Radar Status Menu Antenna and Transmitter Status Section Azimuth and Elevation Position and Velocity The azimuth and elevation values show the antenna position and velocity (in RPM).
Chapter 7 – Using the Radar Status Menu Table 12 Safety Parameter Report Examples Safety Parameter Description Air Flow Shows whether the cooling air flow in the transmitter is Normal or Fault. Interlock Shows the status of the safety interlock circuit. For example on a high voltage cabinet door, the status is either Normal (door closed) or Fault (door open). Magnetron Shows the magnetron current as Normal or Fault. Waveguide Shows the waveguide pressure as Normal or Fault.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E 7.2.2. RCP Mode Switching In RCP mode switching, RCP controls the system mode. This mode is only applicable to a radar system. Mode switching is normally used for switching between redundant systems due to fault detection. When RCP mode switching is enabled in IRIS, socket mode switching and status product mode switching are unavailable. RCP can choose one of the following: • Force the mode to switch.
Chapter 7 – Using the Radar Status Menu This is used to change modes based on weather. Between times, you can change modes manually. You can define up to 16 situations in which the IRIS configuration is automatically switched. For example, you may want to switch configurations automatically when a wind shear is detected. Because configurations can also be switched when a warning is absent, you can define the conditions under which to automatically switch back to a default configuration.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E 2. Enter the information in the fields: Minimum Switch Time— Minutes that must pass before the configuration can switch again. Warn Product— Enter the name of a warning product directly into this field, or select a product from the list of products. When this warning is encountered (or when it is absent) the IRIS configuration switches automatically. Alert— Set to Yes if the configuration should switch when the warning is encountered.
Chapter 8 – Configuring Radar Tasks 8. Configuring Radar Tasks 8.1. Configuring Tasks Use the TASK Configuration menu to create or modify radar tasks.
IRIS User Guide Table 13 M211317EN-E TASK Configuration Menu Description Menu Pane Description Antenna/Radar Control Sets up radar and antenna operations. See 8.2. Antenna and Radar Control (page 49). Processor Configuration Sets up the output data, ranges and averaging used by the signal processor. See 8.3. Processor Configuration (page 53). Data Correction Determines corrections made from output data. See 8.4. Data Corrections (page 58).
Chapter 8 – Configuring Radar Tasks More Information ‣ IRIS Tasks (page 10) 8.2. Antenna and Radar Control Figure 14 Antenna/Radar Control Pane Use the Task Configuration > Antenna/Radar Control pane to set up radar and antenna operations for controlling tasks and products. Scan Mode Use Scan Mode to select the following modes. Table 15 Scan Modes Scan Mode Description PPI Full The antenna scans continuously in azimuth without stopping during the task.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Elevation for PPI Full and PPI Sector Scans To set up the antenna elevation limits for a PPI Sector and PPI Full scans, enter the list of elevation angles to be used on successive sweeps: 1. Select Elevation button to show a window containing up to 40 elevation angles and make your selections. 2. Select Apply > Exit. (Select Clear to start over.) When you finish editing, the menu entry shows the number of specified tilt angles and the minimum and maximum angles.
Chapter 8 – Configuring Radar Tasks Resolution for PPI Full and PPI Sector Scans For PPIs, specifying 1.0° resolution means that for every degree of azimuth there is a new set of samples of, for example, the reflectivity at all ranges. The range is limit 0.352 .... 2.000. During PPI scanning, antenna and signal processing are coordinated so that data are collected at the specified resolution interval. Sampling is the nearest N*(Resolution) starting with 0°. For example, if the resolution is 1.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Scan Speed Value Description Auto IRIS automatically calculates the scan speed of the antenna to match the sampling to the requested resolution. Recommended for PPI and RHI scans. Type Auto or 0 . Numerical value degrees/sec Enter the scan speed in degrees per second. Note that 6°/sec is 1 RPM, 12°/sec is 2 RPM, and so on. When testing a task, observe the actual scan rate in the Radar Status Menu.
Chapter 8 – Configuring Radar Tasks Ship Velocity Correction If this feature is enabled in the setup utility, this enables or disables a radial velocity correction to account for moving radar platforms. The velocity correction used in IRIS allows for different types of ship motion sensing: • Inertial Navigation Unit (INU) • Gyro System with GPS See C.1. Passive IRIS Overview (page 99). 8.3.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Te Total reflectivity (not clutter corrected) with enhanced reflectivity Z Reflectivity (clutter corrected) Ze Reflectivity (clutter corrected) with enhanced reflectivity Vel Doppler mean velocity Width Doppler spectrum width SQI Signal Quality Index ZDR Differential reflectivity KDP Specific differential phase PhiDP Differential phase RhoHV Cross channel correlation coefficient Tv Total reflectivity in vertical channel Zv Reflectivity in vertical channel
Chapter 8 – Configuring Radar Tasks Filter Dop Use the Filter Dop to specify a clutter filter type. There are 8 filters available, including no filter: Specify an integer between 0 ... 7, where 0 is no filter. Typically this is done so that filter 1 is the least aggressive and filter 7 is the most aggressive. Selecting a clutter filter depends on the scan rate, antenna beam width and the operational objectives.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E The menu choices for range averaging are: • None— No range averaging. The Input Bins and Output Bins fields are identical. No range averaging is performed, and single-point sampling is done for each of the output bins. • 2–5— Range averaging over 2 ... 5 bins. For example: • 2 bins: IRIS doubles the number of input bins by placing new bins halfway between each of the output bins, then averages the 2 bins together to obtain each of the final output bins.
Chapter 8 – Configuring Radar Tasks The Playback value has no effect on the noise floor and calibration level of the RVP during normal operation. Velocity Unfolding For Doppler systems, velocity unfolding (Velocity Unfold) determines whether dual PRF control and processing are performed. The options are: None— Single PRF operation with no velocity unfolding. 3:2— Dual PRF with ratio of 3:2. This provides 2X velocity unfolding as compared to the unambiguous velocity for the larger PRF.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Mode Description Phase Code Phase Code The transmission phase of a Magnetron transmitter is always Random. For Klystron and TWT amplifier transmitters, the transmission phase may be controlled using a phase shifter. This field allows the signal processor to specify the phase of each pulse. Fixed is the legacy mode for Klystron and TWT amplifier transmitters.
Chapter 8 – Configuring Radar Tasks Target Detect Zc Target Detect Zc computes Zc with uniform weather removed. Any input signal of more than 2 range bins in a row is smoothed and then only peaks are passed. The goal is to pick out targets against a weather background. Only use Target Detect Zc for target tracking. Beam Blockage Zc Because of obstructions to the radar horizon (towers, buildings, mountains) the radar beam can be partially or totally obstructed.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E You must create a reference VVP product with a product name UNFOLD to perform this correction. Attenuation Zc Attenuation Zc computes a Zc by correcting for the intervening attenuation. In the Ingest setups, set a Z attenuation constant and exponent, maximum Z for correction and maximum cumulative correction. For each task, decide if you want to use the attenuation correction. Values are suggested for X- and C-bands.
Chapter 8 – Configuring Radar Tasks The signal processor performs thresholding to ensure clean displays, promote efficient execution and transmission of the products, and reduce the amount of tape and disk space required to hold compressed data and product archives.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Parameter Threshold Level CSR Threshold (dB)1) Doppler channel clutter-to-signal (CSR) ratio. The CSR compares the ground clutter power to the meteorological signal power in the Doppler channel. The CSR is calculated for each range bin and compared to the user-defined threshold, typically set to 20 ... 40 dB depending on the coherence of the transmitter/receiver system. If the measured CSR at a range bin is less than the threshold level, then the bin is "passed" for CSR.
Chapter 8 – Configuring Radar Tasks Figure 18 Threshold Criteria Parameter List Example All Pass means that any value is accepted, and thresholding values are ignored. Polarimetric variables are treated identically to Dual Pol. Defaults Select Defaults to reset thresholding to the default values. Point Clutter Filter Point Clutter is a target that has strong total power in one or two successive range bins but is bordered on either side in by bins of significantly lower power.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Speckle Filters A speckle is a range bin that has valid data but is bordered on either side in range by bins with invalid data (empty bins). Meteorological targets rarely appear this way, but towers, aircraft and "lucky noise" do. IRIS provides buttons for enabling or disabling the 2 D Speckle and 1 D Speckle speckle filters.
Chapter 8 – Configuring Radar Tasks To find the right threshold values for your system, check data from different weather situations (clutter only, rain, snow, convective or widespread precipitation) and verify the situations from independent sources of weather information. Consider making special monitoring products such as low elevation PPIs with color scale down to -20 dBZ, and RAINN products over a long period. The following table suggests a starting point.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E 8.6. Defining the Number of Samples Defining the number of samples means balancing 2 factors: the more samples you have, the better the Doppler speed estimate and clutter filters work. However, taking many samples means you cannot move your antennas quickly.
Chapter 8 – Configuring Radar Tasks Table 25 Ray Components Based on Angle Syncing, Major Mode, and Dual PRF Velocity Folding Ray Description ANGLE SYNCING ON PPP MODE SINGLE or DUAL PRF A ray of data is output by the signal processor every RESOLUTION degrees of antenna motion. Each ray consists of the integration of all pulses during the previous RESOLUTION degree of antenna motion. All radials are RESOLUTION degrees wide.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Ray Description ANGLE SYNCING OFF FFT MODE SINGLE PRF A ray of data is output by the signal processor at the CPU limit of the signal processor consisting of the integration of SAMPLES number of pulses. Rays may be partially overlapping. Thus one ray may share many of the same samples with the previous ray. This sharing iterates among all rays. IRIS reads all rays. For manual tasks, all rays are stored.
Chapter 9 – Scheduling Radar Tasks 9. Scheduling Radar Tasks 9.1. Task Scheduling Overview The task scheduler configures the automatic operation of the radar, including which radar tasks to run and when to run them. It also runs interactive manual tasks and exec tasks for scheduling maintenance jobs. The task scheduling menus control real time processes and can be modified by a radarop: • TSC Monitor menu, which shows what is currently happening.
IRIS User Guide Figure 20 M211317EN-E TSC Editor Menu You cannot delete the DEFAULT configuration, the currently running configuration, or the configuration currently being edited. 1. Select Menus > TSC Editor. 2. To open a task schedule, select File > Open. A list of task schedules appears. 3. To set the state of a task, place the cursor over the State field and select one of the following: • Scheduled - The task runs according to the schedule. • Idle - The task is on standby and does not run.
Chapter 9 – Scheduling Radar Tasks 7. To control when a scheduled task runs, select the Start, Stop, or Repeat fields. IRIS can schedule tasks to run at a specific time, or as soon as possible regardless of the clock time. See 9.7. Scheduling Automatic Tasks (page 74). • Use the tool above the list to change the times (hours, minutes, or seconds). The time is based on a 24-hour clock and are either UTC or local based on a the system set-up. • Select None to clear the time selection.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Figure 21 TSC Monitor Menu 1. Select Menus > TSC Monitor. 2. To change to a different task schedule, select File > Change TSC. A list of previously configured task schedules appears. Select an item on the list to change the TSC mode to that configuration. 3. To start or stop tasks, place the cursor over the Command select a command. Table 26 72 Task Start and Stop Commands Command Description Go (Schedule) Runs the task according to schedule.
Chapter 9 – Scheduling Radar Tasks 4. To check the status of a task, check the Command column. Table 27 Task Status Status Description Idle Task has not been activated by the Go command. Scheduled Task has been activated by the Go command, but it is not the task's turn to run. Running Task is currently running. ASAP Task is scheduled to run as soon as possible.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E 9.6. Removing Tasks from a Schedule 1. Select Menus > TSC Editor. 2. Select the task and select Remove. If your remove a hybrid task, all its sub-tasks are removed. 9.7. Scheduling Automatic Tasks When system operation requires that products be generated regularly, you can schedule a task to run at regular intervals and assign priorities to each task. 1. Set the task start, stop, and repeat times: • Start specifies the first time after midnight that the task runs.
Chapter 9 – Scheduling Radar Tasks 4. If a task runs consistently late, analyze and adjust the overall scheduling.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E For interactive manual scans, use the Real time display and the Antenna utility to have interactive control and feedback. IRIS does not take a noise sample before running a manual scan. For more information, see IRIS and RDA Utilities Guide. 1. Add the task to the schedule: In most cases, use a manual scan task on an ad hoc basis. To prevent the manual scan task from interfering with regularly scheduled tasks: • Set Stop to None so the scan can work at any time of day.
Chapter 9 – Scheduling Radar Tasks 2. Place the cursor over Command and select either: • STOP (When Done) Stops a task as soon as it finishes running. • STOP (Right Now) Stops a task immediately, even if the task is incomplete. If the task is not running, that is, its status is Scheduled, the commands behave the same way. CAUTION! If you select Stop (Right Now), data may be lost. 9.11. Using Passive IRIS The task scheduler supports running in either active or passive data acquisition modes.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E 2. If you system is configured to select whether data acquisition is active or passive, select TSC Editor > Active choose either Active or Passive. 3. If you change the data acquisition mode, select TSC Editor > Save As to take the changes into effect.
Chapter 10 – Products and Display 10. Products and Display 10.1. Configuring Products In IRIS Radar, you typically configure RAW and PPI product types. A RAW file contains all the information collected during a measurement task. It is compressed so it can be sent over the network to IRIS Analysis. A PPI shows data from one elevation, all azimuths. You can use it at the radar site for quality control. You can also configure products such as WARN and FCAST. See IRIS Product and Display Guide. 10.1.1.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E 3. In the list of product headers, left-click RAW Product. 4. From the menu, select the name of the RAW product you just configured. 5. In the Request column, right-click the product and select All, Next, or Stop. • Select All to get this product for all the future tasks of the given task name. • For new products, by default this is Stop. 6. Repeat step 3-step 5 for the other RAW and PPI products. 7. Select File > Save and give a name for the product scheduler. 8.
Chapter 10 – Products and Display Figure 22 Quick Look Window 1. To select a site from all the sites configured at General Setup, select Site. Select the site that corresponds to your local radar. 2. To displays a list of available products, select Product. a. Typically at the radar site, you only have PPI products. To display PPI products, select a PPI from the list. If the list shows N/A, no products are available on the disk for the radar site you have selected. b.
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Chapter 11 – Troubleshooting 11. Troubleshooting 11.1. Error Handling When running IRIS, you may encounter errors, for example, mistakes that you make, such as trying to enter an IRIS menu before connecting to a server, or errors in the IRIS software. When possible, IRIS tells you how to fix user errors. If you encounter software errors are more difficult to fix, contact Vaisala for assistance. Provide as much background information as possible.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Table 29 Message List Sections Section Description Message Summary Information about the cause of the error, such as the signal that was generated and the code module that handled the error. Message List List of messages in chronological order with no duplicates. 1. On the IRIS menu bar, select Menus > Message Summary. Alternatively, select Radar Status. In the Control section, select Messages. The fields in the message summary area are blank. 2.
Chapter 11 – Troubleshooting 11.3. Reacting to IRIS Messages Figure 24 IRIS Message 1. Select OK to dismiss the IRIS Message and continue with IRIS operations. 11.4. Making Quick Look Windows Appear For any problem that prevents the window from starting, IRIS prints: OUTPUT, Error in open_display call. The Radar Status menu also indicates Error and Exit next to the window process. If you cannot identify the problem from the error message: 1.
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Appendix A – Task Configuration Examples Appendix A. Task Configuration Examples A.1. Task Configurations You can customize and add to the default task configurations. Note the following guidelines when creating or modifying tasks: 1. As it is not possible to get the best velocity and reflectivity data at the same time, default tasks are divided as follows: 2. 3. 4. 5. • Long-range surveillance with coarse spatial resolution for detecting weak echoes (SURVEILLANCE task).
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Dual polarization systems use the enhanced reflectivity Ze along with a large number of processed samples to significantly improve the sensitivity when compared with single polarization systems. Samples are collected from a large contributing area using a wider azimuthal spacing of the radar rays (2°) and a range averaging over several consecutive range bins. The default configuration has a maximum range of 450 km. Use it in warm climates.
Appendix A – Task Configuration Examples Figure 26 VOL_A Task Configuration - Dual Polarization Polarization DP Attn Cor Z ZDR Proc Mode Measured data moments Horiz disabled FFT T, Z, Vel, Width, SQI A.1.3. VOL_B The VOL_B task fills the higher elevations of the hybrid volume providing observations of standard and dual polarization moments for volume products, such as CAPPI. The task uses high pulse repetition frequency and delivers high quality radial winds in the range of +/- 16 m/s.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E • Enhanced reflectivity Ze is not selected like for short measurement ranges of high elevations as it does not bring significant sensitivity improvements. The following figure shows the configuration details of the task for a dual polarization system. Blue circles indicate items with different values in single polarization systems.
Appendix A – Task Configuration Examples A higher dual pulse repetition frequency ratio (4:3, 5:4) can increase the unambiguous velocity regime and/or the maximum range. However, using higher dual PRF ratios as well as longer ranges decreases the quality of velocity data. Figure 28 WIND Task Configuration A.1.5. SUNCAL and ZDRCAL Tasks Detailed configurations of the SUNCAL and ZDRCAL tasks are in the /usr/sigmet/ config/suncal.conf and zdrcal.conf files.
IRIS User Guide Figure 29 M211317EN-E SUNCAL and ZDRCAL Task Configurations SUNCAL For the SUNCAL task, adjust the start, stop, and repeat time for each site so that the task is executed three times a day: shortly after sunrise, at noon, and just before sunset. ZDRCAL ZDRCAL task is only for dual polarization systems. A.2. Product Configurations and Scheduler A.2.1.
Appendix A – Task Configuration Examples 2. Select Preserve Format to preserve 16-bit resolution. 3. Select File > Save As > OK. A.2.2. Melting Height Products In dual polarization systems, a melting height product, VOL, is configured and scheduled by default. This product uses tasks VOL_A and VOL_B to compute the height of the melting layer.
IRIS User Guide Figure 30 M211317EN-E Melting Height Product Configuration A.2.3. Product Scheduler If you need other products at the radar site, add them to the Product Scheduler. This applies to both radar site and central site data production. Input Task(s) Products Surveillance Weather reflectivity surveillance. VOL_A and VOL_B Reflectivity-related end user products, such as rain or storm detection or hydrological measurements. WIND Wind-related products.
Appendix A – Task Configuration Examples Figure 31 Default Product Scheduler 95
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Appendix B – IRIS Data Parameters Appendix B. IRIS Data Parameters Table 30 IRIS Data Parameters for Dual Polarization Systems Abbreviation Definition ZDR Differential reflectivity. PhiDP Correlation differential phase between HH and VV channels. KDP Specific differential phase (degress/km) between HH and VV channels. Based on derivative of PhiDP. RhoHV Correlation magnitude between HH and VV channels. LDRH LDRV Linear depolarization ratio for H (or V) transmit cross-/co-polar.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Abbreviation Definition Tops Echo Top height. VIL Vertically integrated liquid. Wind Wind speed and direction. Shear Wind shear. SQI Signal quality index for Doppler coherency [0 ... 1].
Appendix C – Passive IRIS Features Appendix C. Passive IRIS Features C.1. Passive IRIS Overview For most installations, IRIS actively controls the radar and antenna through the RVP processor and the RCP. For some installations, the radar and antenna are controlled by an external RCP and IRIS is connected to the radar by the signal processor. In this case, the external control system performs the scanning and IRIS listens to the signal processor in passive mode.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E If the radar trigger is generated externally, you must configure the correct PRF. Note that dual PRF is not supported by passive IRIS when an external trigger is used. If the RVP generates the trigger, you can configure any allowed trigger including dual PRF. For other signal processing, you can configure any processing option. While passive IRIS must scan the same as the active system, it can use different processing.
Appendix C – Passive IRIS Features Method Description Supported Scans Status–Slaving This case requires that a Status product be sent to the passive system. If the active system is another IRIS, the Status product on the active system is generated automatically whenever a task is starts and contains the name of the task that is currently running. When the passive system receives this, it starts (or continues running) the same task.
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Glossary Glossary $IRIS_ROOT Entry point of the IRIS/RDA install tree AGC Automatic Gain Control. The gain of the linear channel video signals is adjusted based on an estimate of the next signal level. For example using the average power of the last few pulses at that range. Associated task The task that is associated with a product generation. For example, a PPI product requires an associated task that uses the PPI scan mode (Full or Sector).
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E FFT An RVP signal processing mode based on based on Fast Fourier Transform. See also PPP (page 104). Hybrid task A group of up to 3 tasks with the same scan type which are scheduled together and used together to make products. This allows flexibility of volume scanning schemes. IRIS Interactive Radar Information System. A suite of software tools for configuring, calibrating, and operating a complete weather radar system.
Glossary PRF Pulse Repetition Frequency measured in Hz (pulses per second). When measuring PRF, a pulse contains transmit, receive, and dead time phases. PRF affects range folding and velocity folding detection. Normal PRF values for Doppler radars are up to 1000 Hz. Vaisala radars generally operate around 400-700 Hz. In Vaisala IRIS products, PRF limits the area displayed in radar images and the maximum measurable wind speed. PRT Pulse Repetition Time PhiDP Differential Propagational Phase Shift.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Real time display Image created for each scan of the radar as well as the software process that creates these images. RhoH and RhoV The magnitude of the correlation between the co-and cross-polarized channels in a dual channel receiver polarization radar operating in fixed or alternating H and V transmit mode. RhoHV Correlation Coefficient.
Glossary VIL product Vertically Integrated Liquid. Allows the operator to specify a layer in the atmosphere and integrates the total liquid contained within the layer. The point estimates of the liquid are based on a user-defined Z-W relationship. VVP product The velocity volume product calculates the vertical profile of the mean wind speed, direction, divergence and deformation. The algorithm assumes a linearly varying wind field and performs a least squares fit over a large volume surrounding the radar.
IRIS User Guide M211317EN-E Index A antenna control..............................................................42, 49 status....................................................................... 42 architecture client..........................................................................16 processes.................................................................13 server........................................................................ 16 audio .wav file.......................................
Index L licenses.........................................................................10 M manual scan.............................................................. 49 run tasks..................................................................75 schedule tasks...................................................... 75 menus...........................................................................25 access rights..........................................................23 audio............................
IRIS User Guide T task................................................................................ 10 active........................................................................77 antenna................................................................... 49 antenna speed......................................................66 automatic............................................................... 74 configuration........................................................ 47 data corrections...........
Technical Support Contact Vaisala technical support at helpdesk@vaisala.com. Provide at least the following supporting information: • Product name, model, and serial number • Name and location of the installation site • Name and contact information of a technical person who can provide further information on the problem For Vaisala Service Center contact information, see www.vaisala.com/servicecenters. Warranty For standard warranty terms and conditions, see www.vaisala.com/warranty.
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