There are many different facets in
the realm of radar signal processing, and with this, many different
calculations and means of analysis that are performed to obtain the desired
information from radar signals. Here,
we are concerned with weather radar parameters, and the basic visualization and
analysis tools used for this purpose.
You will be using three basic radar
analysis programs. Each is used in a certain order, and assists each other in
processing data. First, you may want to
run SOLO, to view the original radar data by looking at each sweep
successively. This program will also
give you the location of the main storm cell that you can input into REORDER to
make processing more accurate. SOLO
also allows you to decide what radar parameters you may want to study in depth
due to quality and quantity of information recorded. REORDER is used to interpolate the radar data for analyzing. Here is where you can decide what radar
parameters to study, and by what resolution, and at a specific location, for
example, the core of the storm cell.
Cedric is the last program, to view the interpolated data from
REODRDER. With Cedric, you can view the
data in horizontal or vertical slices.
You may also want to compare the original radar data from SOLO with the
interpolated data from Cedric for verification.
Most radar data will be obtained in a universal
file format (.UF) These files contain
the CHILL radar data in polar coordinates at certain dates and times. Make sure you know which dates and times are
needed from each file. If the file you
obtained is named with a lowercase .uf, be sure to rename it with an uppercase
.UF for syntax reasons.
You must use a UNIX workstation, either directly in room C209 (UNIX lab) or through Exceed on Windows machines. Take note to obtain the machines IP address before you start. You will need this later. To find it, select from the start menu in Windows the Command Prompt option. At the command line type:
ping <computer name> (ex: B109_12)
This will display the IP address.
To start Exceed, hit the windows start button, go to the programs folder, select the Exceed folder, and click on the Exceed command. This will display the different choices of workstations to use. Some favorites include: opal, hemlock, spicer, piney, visi1, visi2, visi3, mesa, smuggler, walton, baker, osier, cascade and hickory. Select one of these. Login at the prompt to start. If you are in the UNIX lab, pick any workstation, login as normal, and pay attention to the name of the computer you are on.
Once started, click on the computer icon at the bottom of the screen to open a shell. Now you can telnet to a radar lab computer. At the prompt type:
xhost + (enter)
telnet daffy (or fuji or blanc) (enter)
Login as normal. If the term (hterm) appears, just hit (enter) until you get another command prompt. (Quick hint: If the machine is taking too long to give a prompt, hit
(Ctrl + C) to get it started).
The first thing you may want to do is set backspace by typing:
stty erase (backspace)
Now you can run such programs as Cedric, REORDER, and Solo. Be sure to keep the .UF file, the REORDER and Cedric scripts and .ced file in the same folder. Run all programs from that folder. Then, set the display environment to view all graphics by typing: