S10 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL ELEVATION OVER AZIMUTH POSITIONER AL-4017-1EBS-B For Baron Services Radars: XDD-350C ® VHDD-350C ™ HDD-350C ™ HDD-250C ™ VHDD-1000C ™ BARON RADAR SERVICES, L.L.C. 4930 Research Drive Huntsville, AL 35805 PHONE: 256.881.8811 FAX: 256.881.
Table of Revisions REV A DATE 10/9/03 DESCRIPTION Added VHDD-1000C to front cover BY CK 1-2
TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1 DESCRIPTIONS ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 General Description...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Technical Description................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Specifications ...............................................
3.4 Timing Belt Installation And Adjus tment ................................................................................. 13 3.4.1 Belt Tension (refer to Figure 2) .............................................................................................13 3.4.2 Sprocket Alignment ...............................................................................................................15 3.4.3 Belt Handling.........................................................................................
SECTION 1 DESCRIPTIONS 1.1 General Description The Positioner AL-4017-1EBS-B is comprised of two modified ORBIT Standard AL-760's. The modifications were performed according to Baron Service’s specifications concerning speed, acceleration, antenna adapter and environmental conditions (see Table 1). 1.2 Technical Description The AL-4017-1EBS-B Elevation-over-Azimuth Positioner has two main units: Elevation and Azimuth. All parts are submitted to high-stress tests to ensure reliability and avoid downtime.
1.4.2 Azimuth Unit The Azimuth Unit turns the Positioner through the horizontal plane. It is designed to handle vertical and radial loads. The mechanism of the Azimuth Unit is as follows: A DC motor drives a reduction worm gear through a timing belt. The pinion on the reduction gear drives an internal gear, which is an integral part of a slewing bearing assembly. The internal gear drives the turntable, which carries the Elevation unit. 1.5 Electromechanical Sub-Assemblies 1.5.
TABLE 1. AL-4017-1EBS-B SPECIFICATIONS PARAMETERS UNIT VALUE AZIMUTH BEARING MOMENT CAPACITY ft-lbs 3000 VERTICAL LOAD lbs 800 Azimuth ft-lbs 170 Elevation ft-lbs 170 Azimuth ft-lbs 500 Elevation ft-lbs 500 Azimuth deg/sec. 36 Elevation deg/sec. 36 Azimuth deg. ±0.07 Elevation deg. ±0.07 Azimuth deg. 0.05 Elevation deg. 0.05 ELEVATION LIMIT-TO-LIMIT TRAVEL deg.
SECTION 2 INSTALLATION & OPERATION 2.1 General The AL-4017-1EBS-B Elevation over Azimuth positioner is shipped as a ready-mounted unit (pedestal assembled on base riser). Unpack the system and examine it for any damage that may have occurred in transit. Check connectors, units, the base, and the body itself. The site on which the Positioner is to be placed must be adequate to support its weight.
be exercised since the additional moment load on the antenna from wind force may be enough to exceed the maximum load rating. b. Inertia loading must also be considered since, during both acceleration and deceleration, the torque load on the drive train mechanism increases. Inertia overload causes slow starting and commensurate increase in motor current to compensate for the excessive drive torque required.
d. To operate the System, refer to the applicable Controller Operation Manual. WARNING TO PREVENT INJURY TO MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL OR DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT, ALWAYS VERIFY THAT NO EXTERNAL VOLTAGE IS SUPPLIED TO THE POSITIONER AND THAT THE SAFE/OPERATE SWITCH IS IN THE SAFE POSITION, PRIOR TO PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE WORK ON THE POSITIONER.
SECTION 3 MAINTENANCE 3.1 General This chapter provides information necessary for maintaining the AL-40171EBS-B Elevation-over-Azimuth Positioner series in optimal operating condition. Note When performing maintenance operations, the internal components such as motors, electrical devices, wires, connectors, and mechanical elements, should be visually inspected. 3.2 Cleaning The Positioner should be cleaned as often as dictated by the operating conditions.
3.2.2 Interior Cleaning Loose dust in the Positioner interior must be removed due to its electrical conductivity under humid conditions. The recommended method is to use a vacuum cleaner. Remove any remaining dirt with a soft bristle brush or a cloth soaked in cleaning solvent. A cotton-tipped applicator is useful for cleaning narrow spaces. 3.3 Lubrication This section includes access information, periodicity, and lubrication procedures. 3.3.
b. Through the limit switch hole in the body apply a thin layer of grease on the gear teeth. Then, rotate the turntable a small amount and again apply a thin layer of grease on the gear teeth. Continue this rotating and greasing process until the turntable completes one full revolution. c. Remount the limit switch after rotating the turntable to its previous position.
TABLE 2. RECOMMENDED LUBRICANTS AND LUBRICATION INTERVALS Item Lubricant Type Large ring Grease Molykote gear 165 LT GmbH Manufacturer Interval Dow Corning 17,000 hours of operation or 2 years Bearings Reduction gear Note: Grease Grease Isoflex Kluber 1,500 hours of LDS 18 operation or Special A 2 months Shell Tivella Compound A Shell Oil Co.
3.3 Electromechanical Components 3.3.2 General Common components, such as encoders and limit switches, do not usually require special servicing; such components may be serviced during general overhaul. Maintenance information for the limit switches is given in the following pages. Limit Switches Maintenance 3.3.3 The limit switches are factory adjusted prior to shipment. However, when Positioner readjustment or change of rotation limits is necessary, the limit switches must be readjusted.
FIGURE 1.
3.4 Timing Belt Installation And Adjustment The Timing belt should be installed with a snug fit, neither too tight nor too loose. The belt's positive grip eliminates the need for initial tension. Consequently, a belt, when installed with a snug fit (that is, not too tight), assures longer life, less wear on bearings and quieter operation. Preloading, often the cause of premature failure, is not necessary. 3.4.
d = 0.21 inch (5.4 mm) f = 1.3 lbs (0.59 Kg.
3.4.2 Sprocket Alignment Misalignment of drive results in unequal tension and extreme edge wear. Consequently, sprocket alignment should be verified by means of a straight-edge and shafts checked to assure parallelism. On a long-center drive, due to the belt's tendency to run against one flange of the drive sprocket, it is often advisable to offset the driven sprocket slightly to compensate for this effect. 3.4.
b. Set the SAFE/OPERATE switch to the SAFE position. c. Remove the antenna, counterweights, and the two arms located on the Elevation Axis. d. Remove the four screws on each flange (8) and the screws (3) securing the Positioner to the base riser. e. Detach the connectors MOL1 thru MOL4, located in the base riser. f. Lift the Positioner off of the base riser and place it on a secure working surface; e.g. a table. g. Support the Positioner in a level position. h.
o. Remove the pulley from the motor shaft and retain it for installation on the shaft of the new motor. 3.5.2 Installation of Azimuth Motor Assembly For new Azimuth Motor installation, follow the removal procedure in paragraph 3.6.1 in a logical reverse sequence using the following notes: Notes: 1) When the lower plate (5) is assembled to the Azimuth unit, be sure that the extra length of the wire harness between the slip-ring and the elevation unit is inserted in part (1).
FIGURE 3.
SECTION 4 STORAGE AND PREPARATION FOR USE Store the Positioner in a closed place, protected from dust and rain. Once a month, rotate the Positioner at each axis, three times from limit to limit. Before using the Positioner after a long storage period, re-lubricate the bearings. Refer to lubrication instructions.
SECTION 5 REPLACEMENT PARTS 5.1 PARTS LIST 5.1.1 GENERAL The various parts used in the AL-4017-1EBS Positioner are listed in the following parts list table. The purpose of this part list is for identification, requisition, and issuance of spare or replacement parts. For part replacement, use only part numbers specified in this parts list. The parts list table is divided into four columns, which are described in the following paragraphs. 5.1.2 ITEM NUMBER (ITEM No.
5.1.6 ORDERING INFORMATION FOR PARTS When ordering spare or replacement parts, state the full description of part, part number, and the desired quantity. TABLE 3. AL-4017-1EBS-B Parts List Description Item Part No. Qty. No. 1. Az. Motor Assy. BS-104453 1 2. El. Motor Assy. BS-104452 1 3. Encoder BS-104455 2 4. Reduction Gear BS-104151 2 5. Pulley (Az/El) (Motor) BS-104482 2 6. Belt BS-104456 2 7. Pulley (Az/El) (Gear) BS-104483 2 8. Slewing Bearing BS-104107 2 9.
APPENDIX AL-4017-1EBS-B INTERFACE CONTROL DRAWING (ICD) - Dwg. No. 19-0342 WIRING DIAGRAM - Dwg. No. 19-0361-1/2 SYSTEM LAYOUT - Dwg. No.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL AL-1642-3JB Two-Axis Controller With Built-In Servo Amplifier For Baron Services Radars: XDD-350C ™ XDD-300X ® VHDD-350C ™ VHDD-1000C™ BARON SERVICES, INC. 4930 Research Drive Huntsville, AL 35805 PHONE: 256.881.8811 FAX: 256.881.
Table of Revisions REV A DATE 10/9/03 DESCRIPTION Added VHDD-1000C to front cover BY CK
TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1 SECTION 2 FRONT PANEL OPERATION............................................................... 2 2.1 Front Panel Keypad ................................................................................................ 2 2.2 Front Panel Joystick and Fine/Coarse Switch ....................................................... 3 2.3 Front Panel Power Switch.....................
4.5 4.5.1 4.5.2 4.5.3 Command codes and parameters ......................................................................... 18 General comments................................................................................................18 Parameter Limits ..................................................................................................18 Alphabetical command listing ..............................................................................19 SECTION 5 TROUBLESHOOTING.............
1 INTRODUCTION The AL-1642-3JB is a higher power version of the AL-1613-3JB Antenna Control Unit (ACU) for controlling a two-axis elevationover-azimuth positioner. A front panel provides manual control of the antenna from the controller through a joystick, a set of pushbuttons, and two 8-character LED displays, one for each axis. Two RS-232 serial links are provided. One link provides for remote control and parameter tuning.
2 FRONT PANEL OPERATION The front panel is shown in Figure B-3. It consists of a joystick, a fine/coarse switch, two 8-character displays, two LEDs, three pushbuttons, and an on/off power switch. When the AL-1642-3JB is first powered on, the unit will be in REMOTE mode, permitting remote operation without access to the Controller. 2.1 Front Panel Keypad The front panel contains 3 pushbuttons with functions as follows: REM/LOC - Toggle between remote and local modes.
2.2 Front Panel Joystick and Fine/Coarse Switch The joystick is a dual axis unit with a spring return to zero. It allows controlled movement of both axes at a wide range of velocities when in MANUAL mode. Movement of the joystick UP or DOWN causes elevation motion in the CW or CCW direction respectively. Movement to the right or left causes CW or CCW azimuth motion. The joystick is a very sensitive control unit. An excessive amount of force is not required in order to move the stick.
2.4 Front Panel Display Azimuth and Elevation angles are displayed on the front panel using 8character LED displays. Six of the characters provide the angle reading to a precision of 0.001 degree. The 7th character is for the sign of the angle, and the 8th character provides limit information. A rapidly blinking display (4-Hz) indicates that the axis has not completed its calibration cycle.
3 REAR PANEL CONFIGURATION The rear panel is shown in Figure B-4. It contains a power select area, power input, fuses, a connector for the cable to the positioner, two communications connectors, and a chassis ground connector. 3.1 Power Selection, Input, and Fuses Power input is through the power connector J1. The switch labeled "MAINS SELECT" has two positions, 115 VAC and 230 VAC. The "MAINS SELECT" switch must be set to the proper input voltage.
3.3 Positioner Connectors The positioner connectors J3 and J5 are circular MS-type connectors which carry encoder signals, tachometer signals, limit switch signals, and power for the motors and encoders. 3.3.1 Encoder IN/OUT (J3) For each encoder, there are 6 wires, in three sets of shielded twisted pairs. One pair is for the normal (A) pulses, one pair for the quadrature (B) pulses, and one for the index (I) pulses.
3.4 Communication Connectors The communication connector J4 is a 25-pin D-type connector for RS-232, with pins 2,3, and 7 used for TXD, RXD, and COMMON, respectively per standard RS-232 configuration. The controller is configured as DCE (data communications equipment), since normally the host computer will be configured as DTE (data terminal equipment).
4 REMOTE OPERATION Remote operation is implemented by sending commands to the positioner via the serial link. The modes of operation available via remote control and the details of the serial protocol commands are described below. 4.1 Modes of Operation The mode of operation for each axis is independent. The modes of operation are: MANUAL, STANDBY, POINT, HOME, SLEW, RASTER SCAN, and CALIBRATE. A mode command may be used to select all but the first via the remote link.
4.1.2 Point 4.1.2.1 Single Point Commands Positioner moves to the axis point reference, as sent by the PTx command, and comes to rest there. The amplifier continues to supply current as needed to hold the position against external forces. If the positioner has been switched from LOCAL to REMOTE and no point command has been sent, the axis point reference is the place where the positioner came to rest.
received and attempts to arrive at the point and velocity expected according to the extrapolated trajectory. This mode is entered after 3 points have been sent with the two time intervals between them less than the maximum update-time. As long as the update time varies by less than 10%, the trajectory extrapolation is based on the assumption that the intended time interval was constant. If the time interval between points is more than this, the positioner begins to decelerate to zero velocity. 4.1.
The positioner then moves counter clockwise at the calibrate velocity until it detects the zero-indicating pulse and continues until the first index pulse on the encoder is observed. At this point, the current angle is then set equal to the zero switch position minus the offset. The positioner then decelerates and returns to this set point.
Seven parameters and four control bits govern the details of the raster scan performed: RCA Center azimuth position RCE Center elevation position RRA Azimuth range scanned at constant velocity. The azimuth range will have added to it at each end an acceleration distance of 0.5*RVA*RVA/MAA. RRE Elevation range scanned RVx Scan speed of primary axis in Raster Scan mode command RSx Step size of secondary axis RTx Time delay at end of each scan 4.1.6.
end of each azimuth sweep. Changes of sign in RVA or RSA, or changes to RCx or RRx may have the effect of placing the positioner outside the scan limits, in which case it will scan until it reaches maximum position (MNx or MXx) or a limit switch. Changes in RVA or RSA without a change in sign are OK. Two control bits which may affect scanning are the Fast Step bit (Control Word #2, bit #6) and the Continuous Rotation bit (Control Word #1, Bit #5).
parameter and returns to the elevation starting point, both together at maximum velocity, and the elevation scan repeats. If the single-direction bit is cleared, the azimuth steps and the elevation scans in reverse. The process is repeated until the next azimuth step results in exceeding the range specified in the RRA parameter. At this point, if the Non-Stop Raster bit (Control Word #2, bit 5) is set, the positioner returns to the initial corner and the process is repeated.
4.3 Serial Protocol - Commands from Host Computer to ACU All commands use printable ASCII characters, plus the ASCII control codes as follows: STX (start of text, value 02 hex) ETX (end of text, value 03 hex) Each command line sent to the controller consists of an ASCII STX character, followed by up to 80 characters of commands, two checksum characters, and an ETX character.
A typical valid command line to update the azimuth and elevation point would be: PTA20.24PTE-14.05E9. The calculation of the checksum E9 is given by: excluded P 50 hex T 54 hex A 41 hex 2 32 hex 0 30 hex . 2E hex 2 32 hex 4 34 hex P 50 hex T 54 hex E 45 hex 2D hex 1 31 hex 4 34 hex . 2E hex 0 30 hex 5 35 hex ----------------sum 3E9 hex 4.
If an error is detected in the command line, an error message will be returned with the control character NAK followed by two ASCII hex characters comprising an error code.
4.5 Command codes and parameters 4.5.1 General comments Below is a complete description of the command codes and their parameters, for use in designing communications programs for the host computer. In the list below, most of the commands are shown with the third letter as x. The x should be replaced by A if the command is for an azimuth parameter or with E for an elevation parameter. Certain parameters have been adjusted in the factory to work with the positioner supplied.
4.5.3 Alphabetical command listing CBx Set value of control word #1. Bits in control word #1 have the following functions: Bit Value Function ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0 1 0=>CW feedback from motor = CW motion of axis 1=>CCW feedback from motor = CW motion of axis 1 2 0=>Positive command for CW rotation of axis.
CCx Set value of control word #2. Bits in control word #2 have the following functions: Bit Value Function ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0,1 0-2 0=>Display precision 0.1 degree 1=>Display precision 0.01 degree 2=>Display precision 0.001 degree 2 4 0=>+/-780 deg display 1=>0-359.
CDx CGx CLx CVx During a calibrate cycle, the positioner will operate at the go-to-limit velocity (CGx) until the clockwise limit switch is activated, the zero indicating pulse is detected, or the maximum clockwise calibrate distance (CDx) is passed. It will then return at the calibrate velocity (CVx) until the zero-indicating pulse is observed and an index pulse occurs on the encoder. At that point, the angle will be set to equal the zero switch position (CLx).
ILx Integral limit. Upper limit of velocity command from the integral error term in the PI position control loop. Integral error is defined as: Ki * ∫ angle error dt Where Ki is the parameter specified below under KIx and angle error is the difference between actual and target angles. Units are in deg/sec. Value from 0 to 50. Lower limit of integral error is the same value with opposite sign. Note that the integral error term should be small relative the maximum velocity of the system.
LWx Lock window for use of lock gain (KLx) in place of proportional gain (KPx). Units are in degrees. MAx Maximum acceleration/deceleration. 0.16 to 10,000.0. Units are in deg/sec/sec. Value is from MDx Set operation mode. Value is as follows: 0 - Manual (not allowed) 1 - Standby 2 - Go to Point 3 - Go to Home 4 - Slew (Continuous Velocity) 5 - Calibrate 6 - Raster Scan This command is accepted only when the ACU is in REMOTE mode. MNx Set minimum position. Units are in degrees.
OFx Set offset. Units are in degrees. Value is from -720 to +720 degrees. ACU must be in REMOTE mode to write offset. If positioner is moving, the velocity is first commanded to zero, and when the positioner stops, the offset is entered. Note: Offset for the azimuth may be also be set by the front-panel OFFSET pushbutton. In this case, a save to all parameters is performed. PTx Set pointing angle. This is the angle which will be used at the target in point mode. Units are in degrees.
RDS Read status word. Value returned is 0 to 223 -1; ie, 0-8388607, consisting of a sum of 23 status bits.
RRx Raster scan range in degrees RTx RTA is the Raster Scan time delay at end of each azimuth scan in seconds. If bit #8 in control word #1 is set, RTx is the duration of the flat top of the trapezoidal open-loop velocity command output. RVx RVx is the Raster Scan velocity in deg/sec. If bit #6 or bit #8 in control word #1 is set, RVx is the open loop velocity command output (bit #6) or the open loop velocity command output during the flat top of the trapezoid (bit #8). SAV Save/Restore commands.
SVx Slew velocity command. This sets the velocity in degrees/sec which will be used when Slew Mode is selected. This command is accepted only when the ACU is in REMOTE. UTx Maximum update time command. Sets time interval, in seconds, used to activate the extrapolation algorithm for following a trajectory. If two consecutive time intervals are less than the maximum update time, the extrapolation algorithm is activated. Value must be between 0 and 10 seconds.
5 TROUBLESHOOTING Problem: No display, no LEDs, no motion on powerup Check: • Is Fuse F1 OK? • Is Mains Select Switch in proper position? • Is AC Power Cord connected well? Problem: Display OK but neither axis operates Check: • Is Safe/Operate switch on positioner in OPERATE mode? • Are cables W1 and W2 connected properly to the controller and the positioner? Problem: Azimuth axis does not operate Check: • Problem: Elevation axis does not operate Check: • Problem: Front Panel does n
Problem: Positioner motion is very slow Check: • Problem: Azimuth position reading is not correct after calibrate Check: • Problem: Azimuth axis creeps when Joystick is in zero position Solution: • Problem: Elevation axis creeps when Joystick is in zero position Solution: • FINE/COARSE switch should be in COARSE position for rapid motion.
6 MAINTENANCE 6.1 Amplifier Adjustment Verify the following settings: • • 6.2 T1 is at the maximum CW position. T2 is at the midpoint of the potentiometer range. Voltage Tests With respect to GND (TB1, pin 7), verify the following DC voltages: -12V +/- 0.3V +5V +/- 0.25V +12V +/- 0.
APPENDIX A AL-1642-3JB Host Software User's Guide
1. SOFTWARE The AL-1642-3JB Host Software is provided on an "as is basis", as an aid for the user, with no expressed or implied warrantees or guarantees of any kind. The following four files comprise the host software: 1) EGAVGA.BGI Loadable graphics interface file for VGA graphics routines. 2) KBRG.CF_ Configuration file for the host software. 3) KBRG.ST_ Configuration file for the host software. 4) HOST.EXE Executable code for the host software. 2.
3. MAIN SCREEN (Refer to Figure A-1) The Main Screen is divided into three sections: 1) Axes Numerical Display 2) Status Flag Display 3) Function Key Titles. The Axes Numerical Display section shows four parameters for each axis: Point Command, Slew Velocity Command, Mode Command and Position Received. The displayed field shows the last command sent for each of these parameters, as received from the positioner.
Figure A-1: Main Screen Azim Point Command Azim Slew Command Azim Mode Command Azim Position Received Elev Point Command Elev Slew Command Elev Mode Command Elev Position Received 0.000 0.000 POINT 0.000 0.000 0.000 POINT 0.
4. CONFIGURATION SCREENS (Refer to Figures A-2, A-3 and A-4) Each axis (azimuth or elevation) has its own set of configuration parameters. For a system that has never been configured, a set of default parameters are coded into the controller software. In addition, an EEPROM exists which allows the user to save the parameters he has configured. If parameters have been saved, they will be read from the EEPROM at powerup and used instead of the default parameters.
Figure A-2: Azimuth Configuration Screen – Default Parameter Values Azim 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 55. 66. 77. 88. Pedestal Parameters Gear Ratio Numerator... 36 Gear Ratio Denominator. 1 Encoder Pulses/Rev..... 8000 Control Bits Word #1... 32 Control Bits Word #2... 2149 Maximum Angle.......... +380.000 Minimum Angle.......... -380.000 Home Position.......... 0.000 Zero Switch Position... 0.000 Offset................. 0.000 Special Sts Interval... 80 Full Scale Velocity.... 42.
Figure A-4: Azimuth/Elevation Configuration Screen correlated with remote command codes Azim/Elev Pedestal Parameters 1. Gear Ratio Numerator.... 2. Gear Ratio Denominator.. 3. Encoder Pulses/Rev...... 4. Control Bits Word #1.... 5. Control Bits Word #2.... 6. Maximum Angle........... 7. Minimum Angle........... 8. Home Position........... 9. Zero Switch Position.... 10. Offset.................. 11. Special Sts Interval.... 12. Full Scale Velocity..... 13. Maximum D/A chip Output. 14. Max CW Cal Movement...
5. INSTALLATIONS AND CALIBRATION PROCEDURE (Refer to Figures A-5 thru A-8) 1) Install the positioner in an indoor environment. 2) Before connecting the controller to the positioner, use the Host computer program to verify that the configuration parameters installed in the controller memory are as listed in the applicable figure A5 thru A-8. 3) Connect the cables between the controller and the positioner.
11) Rotate the elevation axis between 0 degrees and 180 degrees. Verify that the current on the F3 wire does not exceed 1.0 amp. (When changing the rotation direction, more current may be present for a short duration of time). 12) Rotate the azimuth axis in continuous rotation. Verify that the current on the F2 wire does not exceed 1.0 Amp. 13) Operate the azimuth and elevation axes in POINT mode. Verify that both axes arrive at the desired position, with smooth deceleration and no overshoot.
6. AL-4017-1EBS-B Positioner Configuration Parameters Note: The following parameters are listed as they appear on the computer screen. Figure A-7: Azimuth Configuration Screen for AL-4017-1EBS-B Positioner Azim 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 55. 66. 77. 88. Pedestal Parameters Gear Ratio Numerator... 36 Gear Ratio Denominator. 1 Encoder Pulses/Rev..... 8000 Control Bits Word #1... 32 Control Bits Word #2... 2149 Maximum Angle.......... +380.000 Minimum Angle.......... -380.
Figure A-8: Elevation Configuration Screen for AL-4017-1EBS-B Positioner ELEV Pedestal ParamS 1. Gear Ratio Numerator.... 36 2. Gear Ratio Denominator.. 1 3. Encoder Pulses/Rev...... 8000 4. Control Bits Word #1.... 0 5. Control Bits Word #2.... 2145 6. Maximum Angle........... 182.000 7. Minimum Angle........... . -2.000 8. Home Position........... 0.000 9. Zero Switch Position.... 0.000 10. Offset.................. 0.000 11. Special Sts Interval.... 80 12. Full Scale Velocity..... 69.000* 13.
APPENDIX B AL-1642-3JB (BS-104435) CONTROLLER DRAWINGS: DRAWINGS Figure B-1: WIRING DIAGRAM - Dwg. No. BS-104435-1 Figure B-2: TOP ASSEMBLY - Dwg. No. BS-104435-2 Figure B-3: FRONT PANEL - Dwg. No. BS-104435-3 Figure B-4: REAR PANEL - Dwg. No. BS-104435-4 Figure B-5: BLOCK DIAGRAM - Dwg. No.
Figure B-1: WIRING DIAGRAM - Dwg. No.
Figure B-2: TOP ASSEMBLY - Dwg. No.
Figure B-3: FRONT PANEL - Dwg. No.
Figure B-4: REAR PANEL - Dwg. No.
Figure B-5: BLOCK DIAGRAM - Dwg. No.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 i
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Table of Contents 1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………….. 1 2. RDACS Terminal Window………………………………………………………………. 2 3. RDACS Config……………………………………………………………………………. 3 3.1 File Pull-Down Menu…………………………………………………………………….. 3 3.2 Connect Commands…………………………………………………………………….. 4 3.3 A-Scope Commands…………………………………………………………………….. 5 3.4 Control Commands……………………………………………………………………… 8 3.5 Configuration Commands……………………………………………………………… 17 4.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Preface This manual describes the operating procedures for Baron Service’s RDACS software program that is delivered with the Neighborhood Radars™ Document Organization The information in this manual is organized as follows: Section 1 describes the RDACS Terminal Window, which acts as the radar system’s log and provides a few controls.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Bold: Indicates an item in the graphical interface, such as the OK button or a command button. Courier: Indicates information you type. For example: Set the signal processor parameters by typing: SOPRM Symbols The following document conventions are used throughout this manual: Information that is not critical to system operation but describes useful procedures or information that will optimize system operation. Very important about a command or a procedure.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Keyboard Conventions ALT Alternate key. For example, ALT+x means hold down the Alternate key and press x. CTRL Control key. For example. CTRL+c means hold down the Control key and press c. DEL Delete key. Enter Return/enter key. ESC Escape key. SHIFT Shift key. TAB Tab key.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Terminology Click To position the pointer on the screen, and then to press and quickly release the left mouse button. Double Click To quickly press and release a mouse button twice without moving the mouse. This action is used as a shortcut for common actions, such as activating an icon, opening a file, or selecting a word or a graphic element. Drag To press and hold a mouse while moving the mouse.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide 1. Introduction This manual describes the Radar Acquisition and Control System (RDACS), which gives users remote control over many radar system operations. The remainder of this manual is comprised of four main sections: 1. The RDACS terminal window, which is accessed by Start BSI RDACS. 2. The Radar Control dialog box, which is accessed by Start BSI Config RDACS. 3. The RDACS window that is installed in FasTrac. 4. The RDACS installation instructions.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide 2. RDACS Terminal Window The RDACS terminal window acts as the radar system’s log and provides few controls. The main display lists the time and type of radar system commands. The commands can be issued from Config RDACS or from FasTrac real-time operations. The following window displays when you select Start BSI RDACS. (Start is located next to the taskbar on bottom of your terminal screen.) The File menu has only one subcommand, Exit.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide 3. RDACS Config The RDACS Config utility lets you perform a limited number of system controls from the Radar Control dialog box, which is accessed by selecting Start BSI Config RDACS. 3.1 File Pull-Down Menu The File pull-down menu has only two options: About and Exit. Select File About to open a message box that indicates the name of the software package, the version number, and the copyright date. Click OK to dismiss the message box.
RDACS User’s Guide 3.2 August 2000 Connect Commands The Connect commands let you remotely view and control another site’s RDACS. Select Connect Disconnect to end remote control mode. A connect to RDACS dialog box, similar to the one shown below, displays when you select Connect Connect. You must know the server name or address, your user name, your password, and the port designator to connect remotely to RDACS. See your System Administrator for the required inputs.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide 3.3 A-Scope Commands The A-Scope commands let you configure the A-Scope presentation of return data, in signal strength and in either distance or in time. You can use the A-Scope commands to display three types of radar data (reflectivity, velocity, and spectrum width) and to set the display limits. 3.3.1 A-Scope Settings The A-Scope displays the radar data, where the horizontal axis (X) displays time and the vertical axis (Y) displays signal strength.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide This Base Products section of this dialog box lets you select which radar products will be shown on the A-Scope display. When you select a radar product, you must either select the Data shown in display level units’ option to enable the default values or key in the Low Y and High Y values. Control Description Reflectivity Enables the computer algorithms that measure the linear radar reflectivity factor (z) in m6/m3.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide Control Description Auto Scale Automatically controls the low and high range for the horizontal axis. When selected, the Low X and High X fields are disabled. Low X Specifies the lowest range for the horizontal axis. High X Specifies the highest range for the horizontal axis. Units Specifies the unit for the horizontal axis measurements: miles, nautical miles, kilometers, or microseconds. OK Accepts your changes, and returns you to the main RDACS dialog box.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 3.3.2 A-Scope Display An A-Scope Display, similar to the one pictured below, appears when you select AScope Enable. It is a real-time display, reflecting the parameters you set under A- Scope Settings. Select A-Scope Disable to remove the display and to return to the main Radar Control dialog box. 3.4 Control Commands The Control Commands let you set most of the radar’s controlling parameters, as described in the following subsections.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide 3.4.1 Quick Control A Quick Control dialog box, similar to the one shown below, displays when you select Control Quick. Observe the RDACS display when you issue commands form this dialog box, and verify that the system is operating as expected. Control Description Defines the maximum distance from the radar antenna to the target. You may specify the range measurement in miles, kilometers, or nautical, miles.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide Control Skip Description Sets the radar sampling skip distance in miles. For example, a value of 2.5 means that data sampling begins 2.5 miles from the radar. Use this option to remove the display of the strong signal that is received just after the radar pulse is transmitted. A typical value for Skip lies between 0.5 to 5.0 miles (the default value is 1.0). Controls the system mode as selected from the pull-down menu: Not all modes are available for all radars.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide Control Description Defines the antenna Scan mode: PPI, Stop, Sector, or RHI. PPI (plan position indicator) mode displays a 360degree sweep in azimuth at the specified elevation angle. (This is the normal operating modes) Stop scans weather only within the specified azimuth and elevation levels. This mode is useful for investigating a particular storm cell.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Preferred Product lets you specify which algorithms the computer applies to the decluttered, dealiased, and range-unfolded return data to produce the selected product. You can select the following items from the pull-down menu: No preference, Log intensity, Linear intensity, Velocity, or Turbulence. 1. No preference indicates that clean, quality-checked return data will be displayed. 2. Log Intensity measures reflectivity in logarithmic values.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 A dialog box similar to the one shown below, displays when you select Control Extended: 3.4.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide Control Description Program List Displays saved programs OK Accepts your changes, and returns you to the main RDACS dialog box. Cancel Ignores any changes, and returns you to the main RDACS dialog box. Edit Lets you modify program parameters. Insert Lets you introduce a new program. Delete Deletes the selected program. Move Up Moves you up through the program list. Move Down Moves you down through the program list. 3.4.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 A dialog box, similar to the one shown below, displays when you select Control Input/Output: 3.4.5 Resample Noise There are two types of input signals to the receiver: the signal from a particular target and the signal generated by the radar system, which is referred to as noise. The Resample Noise command measures the receiver noise so it can be subtracted from subsequent measurements.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide When you issue the Resample Noise command, lines similar to the ones shown below appear on the RDACS terminal display. Free run stopped SNOISE: Noise=1609 DiagA=0000 DaigB=0000 Imm1=42A0 Imm2=0301 Latch=0000 Free run started The following list describes each word in the listing: Parameter Description Noise Indicates the log of the measured noise level. DiagA Indicates the measured DC offset for the I channel. DaigB Indicates the measured DC offset for the Q channel.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 3.4.6 Status A current status listing, similar to the one shown below, displays when you select Control Status. The displayed data are accessed from the Digital Signal Processor (the RVP7) and are described in the “Get Processor Parameters” section in the RVP7 Digital IF Receiver User’s Manual. 3.5 Configuration Commands The Configuration commands let you specify the site parameters, control the antenna, and edit the RDACS.ini file.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide 3.5.1 Configuration Site Parameters The following dialog box displays when you select Configuration Sites: While most of the dialog box controls are user-definable, the fields are set during system configuration and should not be changed. The parameters correspond to the Site section of the radacs.ini file. The bottom three fields, Radar Type, Version, and Protocol, are read-only parameters that are set by the software.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide 3.5.2 Antenna Control Settings The Antenna Control Settings dialog box controls the speed and direction of the radar antenna, as well as the data sample interval and offset rates. The following dialog box displays when you select Configuration Antenna: The controls are self-explanatory. When you click OK to accept your changes, note that an Antenna command is reflected in the RDACS display.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 3.5.3 Editing the rdacs.ini File The Edit Rdacs.Ini dialog box displays when you select Configuration RDACS.Ini. The top leftmost drop-down menu lets you select a section in the rdacs.ini file, which you can then view and edit, as required. The rdacs.ini file has several sections: Startup, Master, Site, RadPgm0, RadPgmAntennaStuck, CrossRefTables, six Mode tables, ModeDefault, five Level tables, Antenna, and AntennaCmds.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Startup Section NumUsers= WatchDogType= Set to any value from 0 to 20 (0 disables WatchDog). When Watchdog detects that the I/O interface between the Digital IF Receiver and the RDACS computer is malfunctioning for the specified time (in seconds), the system performs a complete reset operation.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Site Section The Site section of the rdacs.ini file contains many of the parameters described in Section 2.5.1, Configuring Site Parameters. These items, which are either set at system installation or are set by the software, should not be changed.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 RadPgmAntennaStuck Section Title=Antenna Stuck NumSteps= AntOp0= # this is the RdpModeNum Mode0=0xO Range0= Skip0= Duration0= Az0= E1O= EndPt0= CrossRef Tables Section # this section notes the mode to rdpmode xref # it is not used by rdacs mode0=rdpmode4 powerdown mode1 =rdpmode0 standby mode2=rdpmode1 long pulse mode3=rdpmode2 single prf mode4=rdpmode3 dual prf mode5=rdpmode5 clear air # level tables: level0=reflectivity 5-75 dBZ level1=speed for width, level2=speed for si
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Mode0 Section RdpModeNum=4 Name =”PowerDown” Radiate= PowerUp= Mode1 Section RdpModeNum=0 Name=”Standby” Radiate=0 #force reset forces a modulator reset when # mode is entered ForceReset=l 24
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Mode2 Section LogThreshold=Sets the upper limit for reflectivity values. Reflectivity values below this number may be discarded. This value is always positive. CalRef1= RdpModenUM=1 Name=LongPulse Radiate= RAvail= VAvail= WAvail= PRF= Pulselndes= Unfold= # # FilterRange0= Filterlndex0= FilterRange1= FilterIndex1= FilterRange2 = Filterlndex2= FilterRange3= Filterlndex3= SampleSize=Specify from 1 to 256 pulses.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Mode3 Section RdpModeNum=2 Name=”Single PRF” Radiate= Vlevel= RAvail= VAvail= WAvail= PPF= PulseIndex= Unfold= # # FllterRange0= Filterlndex0= FilterRanqe1= Filterlndex1= FilterRange2= Filterlndex2= FilterRanqe3 = Filterlndex3= SampleSize=Specify 1 to 256 pulses.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Mode4 Section RdpModeNum=3 Name=”Dual PRF” Radiate VLevel= RAvai1= VAvail= WAvail= PRF= PulseIndex= Unfold= # # FilterRange0=usedefault Filterlndex0=usedefault FilterRange1=usedefault FilterIndex1=usedefault FilterRange2=usedefault Filterlndex2=usedefault FilterRanqe3=usedefault Filterlndex3=usedefault SampleSize=usedefault CMS=usedefault Lsr=usedefault Dsr=usedefault LogThreshold= CcorThreshold=usedefault SqiThreshold=usedefault SigThreshold=usedefault CalRef1= ThCt1Uncorr=
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Mode5 Section LogThreshold= CalRef1= RdpModeNum=5 Name=”NoRadiate” Radiate= RAvail = VAvail = WAvail= PRF= PulseIndex= Unfold= # # FilterRange0= Filterlndex0= FilterRange1= Filterlndex1= FilterRange2= Filterlndex2= FilterRange3= Filterlndex3= SampleSize= Specify 1 to 256 pulses.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 ModeDefault Section # O=standby l=log 2=singleprf 3=dual 4=powerdown 5=user... RdpModeNum= # mode name in fastrac and config menus Name=”Default” # set if mode should radiate Radiate= PowerUp= # leveln table to use for color levels # R, V, W=reflectivity, velocity, and width RLevel= VLevel= WLevel= # what products are available RAvail= VAvail= WAvail= # pulse width code, typ: O=2µs l=.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 ModeDefault Section # number of pulses to average SampleSize= Specify 1 to 256 pulses. # 0=horiz, 1=vert, 2=alternate Polar= # clutter microsupprresion CMS= # use three lag algorithms for width, signal power, and clutter correction R2= # pulse end ray End= # reflectivity speckle removal Lsr= # doppler speckle removal Dsr= # rangle normalization and enables gas attenuation correction Rnv= # logslope typ=0.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 ModeDefault Section TopMode=Specifies the processing mode, where 0000 Pulse Pair Processing; 0001 = FFT Processing; and 0010 Random Phase Processing. AGCNumPulses=Specifies the number of pulses during one AGC integration period. Window=Specifies the type of window that is applied to time series data where 0 Rectangle; 1=Hamming; and 2=Blackman. ZER=Set to 1 to zero the clutter filter‘s internal state variables before the delay time has elapsed.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide Level0 Section LeveI1 Section # types 0=refl 1=speed Type = 1 Type = 0 Name=Width Name=Log Units=knots Units = dBZ 1=2 1=5 2=4 2=10 3=6 3=15 4=8 4=20 5=10 5=25 6=12 6=30 7=14 7=35 8=16 8=40 9=18 9=45 10=20 10=50 11=24 11=55 12=26 12=60 13=28 13=65 14=30 14=70 15=32 15=75 32
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide Level 2 Section Level3 Section Type = 1 Type=1 Name=Single PRF Vel Name=Dual PRF Vel Units=knots Units=knots 1=-20 1=-99 2=-17 2=-64 3=-14 3=-5O 4=-11 4=-36 5=-8 5=-26 6=-5 6=-20 7=-2 7=-1O 8=0 8=0 9=2 9=10 10=5 10=20 11=8 11=26 12=11 12=36 13=14 13=50 14 =17 14=64 15=20 15=99 33
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 LeveI4 Section Type= 0 Name=Clear Air Units =dBZ 1=-28 2=-24 3=-20 4=-16 5=-12 6=-8 7=-4 8=0 9=4 10=8 11=12 12=16 13=20 14=24 15=28 34
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Antenna Section Type=Orbit AzSpeed=45.0 ElSpeed=6.0 AzSampleStep=1.0 AzOffset=90.0 ElOffset=0.0 Port=1 ElSampleStep=0.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 4. RDACS Control from FasTrac This section provides a step-by-step procedure for accessing RDACS control while operating FasTrac. 1. Start the FasTrac program. 2. From the leftmost Select Panel area, select Views to open the View Main panel. 3. Under the More Settings area on the bottom of the View Main panel, select Data to open the View Data panel. Under the More Radar Settings area in the middle of the View Data panel, select Radar Control to open the RDACS Control panel.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 This menu is similar to that explained in the previous sections except you have two additional options-Linear Intensities and Load Settings. 1. Linear Intensities determines which format of reflectivity data the radar uses when it is one of the Doppler modes. If you do not select this option, the radar uses Log reflectivity data. a. The use of the Linear Intensities option depends on which version of the RDACS controller executable is installed.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide After configuring the RDACS, select Load Settings to open the Load RDACS dialog box. Specify the configuration number, and click OK to return to the View Data panel. OR Click Cancel to dismiss the dialog box and to return to the RDACS Control panel.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 5. Installing RDACS RDACS is normally set up when your system is delivered. The following instructions are provided in case your system crashes, a new version is delivered, or some other unusual circumstance occurs. There is no separate installation program. Copying the executable file to its destination and setting up shortcuts are manual operations. The rdacs directory or folder must be created before you install RvpTty.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide 5. Click Next, name the shortcut, and click Finish. 6. Select Start BSI, and verify that the new shortcut is displayed. 7. Right click on the desktop; then select New Shortcut from the popup menu. 8. Use the Browse function or key in the complete pathname for the \rdacs\rdacs.exe file in the Command Line text box. 9. Click Next, name the shortcut, and click Finish. A shortcut to RDACS will appear on the desktop.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide 6. The radacs.ini Configuration File The rdacs.ini configuration file contains configuration parameters for RDACS. It is in text format; therefore, you can use Notepad or any equivalent text editor to view and edit the file contents. The file is organized into sections.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide For example, in our example file, [Startup] is the first section and [Master] is the second section. Each section lists its associated variables and the current variable values separated by equal (j signs. (For example, WatchDogType=1 enables the WatchDog timer feature). Depending on the context, the value may be a real number, an integer, a hexadecimal integer, a Boolean expression, or an alphanumeric string.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide The following table lists the major configuration sections: Section Title Description Startup System startup information Master Global configuration variables Site Site-specific configuration RadPgmN Saved scan programs RadPgmAntennaStuck Scan program used if antenna fails to rotate Antenna Antenna configuration LevelN Color/display level translate tables ModeN Radar operational modes ModeDefault Default settings for radar operational modes AntennaCmds Op
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide The subparagraphs describing each variable list the following items for each variable. Description Item Value Type Real, Integer, Hexadecimal Integer, Boolean, and/or String. Range/Units Valid ranges of values/units of values, where applicable. Default Value Value used if the variable is missing from rdacs.
RDACS User’s Guide 6.1 August 2000 Startup Section This section contains configuration variables that are related to system startup and user options. TcpNoDelayUsers [Startup] Value Type: One or more user name strings, separated by spaces. Range/Units: User names that are listed in the users.txt file. Default Value: Empty. Change Dynamically? Yes. RDACS communicates with its users via TCP/IP, a networking protocol.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 If the RebootOnScsiError variable is enabled (set to 1) and if (a) a fatal error occurs on the SCSI to the RVP7 or if (b) the RVP7 does not seem to be responding, the RDACS computer restarts. This allows the system to reset the SCSI hardware, and the RVP7 will issue an internal reset when it detects that the SCSI interface is being initialized. This option can be considered a watchdog on the RDACS/RVP7 interface, and it normally should be enabled.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 This variable defines the type of interface to the radar transmitter and status. There are three types of interfaces: (1) an ISA bus I/O card, (2) a PCI bus I/O card model PCI7250, or (3) the RRC1 interface board integrated in the transmitter (serial interface). To select (1), the ISA bus I/O card, enter the port address. For example, enter DIOPort=0x260. To select (2), the PCI bus I/O card, use DIOPort=PCI7250.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 AutoFaultResetDelay [Startup] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: Time between consecutive faults; enter 0 to disable or enter the number of seconds. Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? No, RDACS must be stopped. This variable is used to configure automatic attempts to radiate if the radiate operation is shut down due to a fault. When a fault is first detected, a transmitter reset is attempted in five seconds.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 NumUsers [Startup] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 1 to 10 users. Default Value: 5. Change Dynamically? No, RDACS must be stopped. Set the number of concurrent users supported by RDACS. A typical installation could have the FasTrac, RadarNet Server, RdacCap, IRIS, and RDACS Config applications. There is no harm in just setting the maximum, 10. Consult Baron Services if more concurrent users are required. WatchDogType [Startup] Value Type: Integer.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 6.2 Master Section This section contains several global configuration variables. Two important variables are NumModes and NumLevels. These must match the number of ModeN and LevelN sections, respectively. In general, variables in this section should not be changed while RDACS is running. CfgVersion [Master] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 100. Default Value: 100. Change Dynamically? No, RDACS must be stopped.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 NumLevels [Master] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: The number of level tables defined. Default Value: Empty. Change Dynamically? No, RDACS must be stopped. NumLevels specifies the number of level conversion tables (the LeveIN sections) in the rdacs.ini file. These tables are used to convert engineering units (e.g., dBZ or m/s) to color levels. By convention, four tables are defined: Level0 through Level3.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 SepNoiseLevels [Master] Value Type: Boolean. Range/Units: 0 or 1. Default Value: 1. Change Dynamically? No, RDACS must be stopped. SepNoiseLevels determines if separate noise commands should be issued for each of the four possible pulse-width configurations. Normally, this should agree with the Maintain separate noise levels for each PW item of the Mp command of the RVP7. The recommended setting is 1. NoNoiseCmds [Master] Value Type: Boolean. Range/Units: 0 or 1.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 6.3 Site Section This section is used to configure site-specific parameters, such as the radar location. Although these can be changed by editing the rdacs.ini file, RDACS Config supports changing most of these parameters via the RDACS Config menu command Configuration Site. VersionNum [Site] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 102. Default Value: 102. Change Dynamically? Do not change. This variable specifies the software version tracking number and should not be changed.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 RadarName [Site] Value Type: String. Range/Units: Up to 31 characters. Default Value: BSI Digital Doppler. Change Dynamically? Yes. RadarName specifies the name of the radar system. Normally, it should not be changed. RadarType [Site] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 10. Default Value: 10. Change Dynamically? Do not change. RadarType specifies the numeric identifier of the radar type. Do not change this number. Capabilities [Site] Value Type: Hexadecimal integer.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide Latitude [Site] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: Valid latitude in decimal degrees; positive for north. Default Value: 35.0 Change Dynamically? Yes (use the RDACS Config Configuration Site command). This variable specifies the latitude of the radar antenna in decimal degrees. For example, 35.25 in decimal degrees is equivalent to 35:15:00 in D: M: S format. Longitude [Site] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: Valid longitude in decimal degrees; negative for west.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Altitude_AAT specifies the antenna’s height, in meters, above the average terrain. This value is not used by RDACS but is passed to other programs upon request. Altitude_ASL [Site] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: Signed number/meters. Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? Yes (use the RADACS Config Configuration Site command). Altitude_ASL specifies the antenna’s height above sea level, in meters.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide 6.4 RadPgmN Section RDACS continually runs a scan program... (A scan program is a series of steps.) In each step, you can specify the radiate mode and data acquisition options, the antenna operation mode, and the duration of the step. When a step is completed, the next step in the scan program executes. When the last step is completed, RDACS loops back to the first step. Many programs consist of only one step that executes forever.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide To create and manage programs, use the RDACS Config Control commands. Use Control Quick to create a simple one-step scan program; use Control Program to create or edit a multi-step program. Title [RadPgmN] Value Type: String. Range/Units: Up to 39 characters. Default Value: “None”. Change Dynamically? Yes (use the RDACS Config Control commands). Title defines the scan program’s name. Some programs (in particular rdaccap.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 AntOpM [RadPgmN] Value Type: Integer or hexadecimal integer. Range/Units. 0 to 3 (with possible modifier of +16 or +32). Default Value: 1. Change Dynamically? Yes (use RDACS Config Control commands). This variable defines the antenna mode or operation for step M. Valid modes are: 0 - Point or stop. 1 - PPI (full azimuth revolution with fixed elevation). 2 - Azimuth sector scan with fixed elevation. 3 - RHI (elevation scan with fixed azimuth).
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Note that this number does not point directly to a ModeX section. All the ModeX sections are searched to find a section containing a matching RdpModeNum value. When searching, the preferred data modifiers described below are ignored. By convention, the following values are used: Mode0 = Standby, Mode1 = Long Pulse, Mode2 = Single PRF Doppler, Mode3 = Dual PRF Doppler and Mode4 = PowerDown.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 SkipM [RadPgmN] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: Skip zone range, in kilometers. Default Value: 1.61. Change Dynamically? Yes (use RDACS Config Control commands). This variable specifies a skip zone. Data near the radar will be blanked. This can be used to not show strong clutter areas adjacent to the radar site. Set to 0 for no skip zone. DurationM [RadPgmN] Value Type: Integer or hexadecimal integer. Range/Units: Time in seconds or loop count. Default Value: 0.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 AzM [RadPgmN] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: 0 to 359.99/degrees. Default Value: 0.0. Change Dynamically? Yes (use RDACS Config Control commands). This variable contains the azimuth associated with the antenna mode defined in AntOpM. If AntOpM is 0 (point), AzM defines the azimuth at which the antenna will stop. For 1 (PPI), this is not used. If AntOpM is 2 (azimuth sector scan), AzM defines one endpoint of the sector scan - the other endpoint is defined by EndPtM.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide EndPtM [RadPgmN] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: 0 to 359.99/degrees. Default Value: 0.0. Change Dynamically? Yes (use RDACS Config Control commands). This variable defines the endpoint when the antenna mode is a sector scan. If AntOpM is 2 (azimuth sector scan), EndPtM defines the second azimuth. If AntOpM is 3 (elevation sector scan or RHI), EndPtM defines the second elevation. It is not used for other AntOpM values. 6.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Port [Antenna] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4/COM port number. Default Value: 2. Change Dynamically? No, RDACS must be stopped. This variable defines the COM port (serial port) used to communicate with the antenna controller. If 0 is selected, no antenna control command will be issued. AzSpeed [Antenna] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: 1 to 36/degrees/second. Default Value: 6.0. Change Dynamically? Yes (use RDACS Config Configuration Antenna command).
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide This variable defines the elevation speed used in RI-IT scan modes. Depending on the controller, it may or may not also affect the speed used to slew to a fixed elevation. AzSampleStep [Antenna] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: 0.1 to 2/degrees. Default Value. 1.0. Change Dynamically? Yes (use RDACS Config Configuration Antenna command). This variable defines the angular width of a sampled radial of radar data for azimuth scan modes (PPI and azimuth sector scan).
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 AzOffset [Antenna] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: -359.9 to 359.9/degrees. Default Value: 0.0. Change Dynamically? Yes (use RDACS Config Configuration Antenna command). This variable is used to correct for the difference between the antenna pedestal’s azimuth “zero” point and 0 degrees (0 degrees is north and 90 degrees is east).
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide IsClockwise [Antenna] Value Type: Boolean. Range/Units: 0 (CCW) or 1 (CW). Default Value: 1. Change Dynamically? Yes (use RDACS Config Configuration Antenna command). This variable sets the default antenna direction when the antenna scan mode is PPI. 6.6 LevelN Section This section is repeated multiple times (for example, Level0, Level1...Leveln). Each instance is a conversion table that translates engineering units to display, or color, levels.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Type [LeveIN] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 0 (reflectivity) or 1 (velocity). Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? No, RDACS must be stopped. Type defines whether the level table is used for reflectivities or velocities. Set Type to 0 for a reflectivity level table or set to 1 for a velocities table. Set Type to 1 for both velocity and width products. Name [LeveIN] Value Type: String. Range/Units: Up to 31 characters. Default Value: “None”.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 The translate values in a level table can be in one of several different units. Units define the units for these values. If Type=0, then this maybe one of the following values: “dBZ”, “mm/hr”, or “in/hr”. If Type=1, the following values are allowed: “m/s”, “km/hr”, “mph”, or “knots”. The spelling and spacing of these strings are critical. For example, do not add spaces around the “/“in “m/s”. The native units used by the signal processor are dBZ and m/s.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 6.7 ModeN Section This section contains all of the variables used to define an operational mode except for antenna scan mode and range. Multiple sections (Mode0, Mode1 … ModeN) may be used. The total number of modes is defined by the NumModes variable in the Master section. The parameters contained in the ModeN section include radar products collected, radiate on/off, pulse width, PRF, and filter options. Many, but not all, parameters flow directly to the RVP7.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide New mode sections cannot be created while RDACS is running. However, every setting can be modified in an existing mode. To add a new mode, stop RDACS and edit the radacs.ini file. Use Copy and Paste to copy the ModeN section most like the one you will be creating to a new section. Update the mode number in the new section, and update NumModes in the Master section.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide RdpModeNum [ModeN] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: See text. Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? Yes (connected users must reconnect to see change). When a scan program is defined, it contains a mode number that does not directly refer to a ModeN section. Instead, it refers to a ModeN section with a matching RdpModeNum variable.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Radiate [ModeN} Value Type: Boolean. Range/Units: 0 (no) or 1 (radiate). Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? Yes. This variable defines whether the transmitter is enabled for the mode. Typically, set to 1 unless a Powerdown or Standby mode is being defined. PowerUp [ModeN] Value Type: Boolean. Range/Units: 0 (powerdown) or 1 (powerup). Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? Yes.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 ForceReset [ModeN] Value Type: Boolean. Range/Units: 0 (no) or 1 (yes). Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? Yes. If ForceReset is set to 1, a Reset command is issued to the transmitter when the mode is first selected. For repeated attempts to reset faults, see AutoFaultResetDelay in the Startup section. RLevel, VLevel, and WLevel [ModeN] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 0 to Number of LeveIN sections. Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? Yes.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 These variables specify which of the R, V, and W products should be processed for delivery to user applications. Normally, for a low PRF where the unambiguous velocity is low, only RAvail is set. For a higher PRF, all three variables should be set to 1. RUseUncorr [ModeN] Value Type: Boolean. Range/Units: 0 (use corrected) or 1 (use uncorrected). Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: Bits 13-14 in the PROC command.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 SamplesPerBin [ModeN] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 1 to 256. Default Value: 1. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: LRMSK command. This variable defines the number of adjacent bins to be averaged. A value of 1 specifies no averaging: the number of bins requested will be the same number delivered. PulseIndex [ModeN] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 0 to 3/index to RVP7 pulse-width tables Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? Yes.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 FilterRangeM (M = 0 to 3) FilterlndexM (M = 0 to 3) [ModeN] Value Type: Real (range) and Integer (index). Range/Units: km (range) and index. Default Value: 0.0 and 0. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: LFILT command. Use these variables to configure clutter filters. Up to four filters may be defined, with arbitrary range. The FilterlndexM variables define which filter is selected.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide Unfold [ModeN] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 0 to 3. Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: PROC command, Bits 8-9. This variable enables dual-PRF unfolding based on the set value from the following table: Unfold Meaning 0 No unfolding 1 Ratio of 2:3 2 Ratio of 3:4 3 Ratio of 4:5 ProcMode [ModeN] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 1 (synchronous) or 2 (free running). Default Value: 2. Change Dynamically? Yes.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 SampleSize [ModeN] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 1-256. Default Value. 25. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SOPRM command, Input 1. This variable specifies the number of pulses to be averaged. Rnv [ModeN] Value Type: Boolean. Range/Units: 0 (off) or 1 (on). Default Value: 1. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SOPRM command, Input 2, Bit 0. This variable enables range correction of reflectivity data.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Lsr [ModeN] Value Type: Boolean. Range/Units: 0 (off) or 1 (on). Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SOPRM command, Input 2, Bit 2. This variable enables the reflectivity speckle remover. When Lsr=1, speckles in corrected and uncorrected reflectivity data are removed. End [ModeN] Value Type: Boolean. Range/Units: 0 (off) or 1 (on). Default Value: 1. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SQPRM command, Input 2, Bit 3.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 CMS [ModeN] Value Type: Boolean. Range/Units: 0 (off) or 1 (on). Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SOPRM command, Input 2, Bit 8. This variable enables clutter microsupprresion prior to being averaged together in range. (Clutter microsupprresion is the rejection of individual range bins based on excessive clutter.) Polar [ModeN] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 0 to 2. Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? Yes.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 This variable specifies the multiplicative constant used to covert signal power in dB to units of the time-series outputs (which are not used by RDACS). Also, one-fourth of this value is used to generate the Log of Measured Noise Level output from RVP7’s GPARM command. The recommended value is 0.03. LogThreshold [ModeN] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: >=0/dB. Default Value: 0.5. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SOPRM command, Input 4.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 SqiThreshold [ModeN] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: 0 to 1. Default Value: 0.5. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SOPRM command, Input 6. This variable sets the signal quality index (SQl) threshold. Any SQl that is less than this value results in thresholding of data if it has been enabled via the ThCtlxxx variables. SigThreshold [ModeN] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: dB. Default Value: 10.0. Change Dynamically? Yes.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 This variable sets the calibration reflectivity, which is referenced to 1.0 km. Changes in this variable result in a one-to-one change in the output reflectivity data levels. For example, if the reflectivity level tables specify 5 dBZ levels, a 5 dB change in this will be reflected as a shift of one level. AGCNumPulses [ModeN] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 1 to 255. Default Value: 8. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SOPRM command, Input 9, Bits 0-7.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 FilterStabDly [ModeN] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: Pulses. Default Value: 10. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SOPRM command, Input 10, Bits 0-7. This variable specifies a delay introduced prior to processing the next radial of data whenever dual PRF velocity unfolding is enabled or when the RVP7 has been reconfigured. The delay permits clutter filter transients to settle down following PRF and gain changes. ZER [ModeN] Value Type: Boolean.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 Window [ModeN] Value Type: Integer. Range/Units: 0 to 2. Default Value: 1. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SOPRM command, Input 10, Bits 9-10. This variable specifies the type of window that is applied to time-series data prior to computing power spectra via a digital Fourier transform. The values are 0 = rectangular, 1 = Hamming, and 2 = Blackman window. ThCtlUncorr [ModeN] Value Type: Integer or hexadecimal integer. Range/Units: Bit pattern (16 bits).
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide The following table lists values of the ThCtlxxx variable for selected combinations of acceptance criteria: Value (Hex) Criteria FFFF All pass (threshold disabled) 0000 All fail AAAA LOG 8888 LOG and CCOR A0A0 LOG and SQI F0F0 SQI FAFA LOG or SQI C0C0 CCOR and SQI F000 SQI and SIG C000 CCOR and SQI and SIG FFF0 SQI or SIG CCC0 CCOR and (SQI or SIG) ThCtlCorr [ModeN] Value Type: Integer or hexadecimal integer. Range/Units: Bit pattern (16 bits).
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 ThCtIVeI [ModeN] Value Type: integer or hexadecimal integer. Range/Units: Bit pattern (16 bits). Default Value: 0xC0C0. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SOPRM command, Input 13. This variable specifies the threshold control for velocity. See ThCtlUncorr for the meaning of this value. ThCtlWidth [ModeN] Value Type: Integer or hexadecimal integer. Range/Units: Bit pattern (16 bits). Default Value: 0xC000. Change Dynamically? Yes.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 This variable specifies whether selected TAG inputs to the RVP7 should be inverted. All current hardware requires that both these values be 0. GasAtten [ModeN] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: dB. Default Value: 0.016. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SOPRM command, Input 17. This variable specifies the compensation for beam losses due to absorption by atmospheric gases. Set to 0 to disable. This value is used only if the Rnv variable is also set.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 ZdrCalOffset [ModeN] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: signed/dB. Default Value: 0. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SOPRM command, Input 19. This variable specifies the offset to be added to all reflectivity polarization ratio (ZDR) measurements. Wavelength [ModeN] Value Type: Real. Range/Units: cm. Default Value. 5.3. Change Dynamically? Yes. RVP7 User’s Guide Reference: SOPRM command, Input 20.
August 2000 RDACS User’s Guide 6.8 AntennaCmds Section This section is only used for the TSA antenna system (the Type variable in the Antenna section must be set to TSA). The variables in this section hold script-like strings with replaceable parameters that are used to construct the command strings sent via the serial port to the TSA antenna. Firmware evolution in the ISA antenna controller has rendered the default values obsolete.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 InitCmdM (M = 1 to 9; TSA antenna only) [AntennaCmds] Value Type: String. Range/Units: Up to 150 characters. Default Value: C [r] [30d] C[r] [30d]. Change Dynamically? Yes. This command can be used to specify up to nine initialization command strings. These strings are sent to the antenna controller on startup and when a variable is changed in the Antenna section of the rdacs.ini file. AzFuIICmd [AntennaCmds] Value Type: String. Range/Units: Up to 150 characters.
RDACS User’s Guide August 2000 StopCmd (TSA antenna only) [AntennaCmds] Value Type: String. Range/Units: Up to 150 characters. Default Value: G0[r] [30d] DDD [az] [el] [r] [30d]. Change Dynamically? Yes. This variable is used to build the antenna controller command string to enable pointing at a fixed azimuth and elevation. AzSectorCmd (ISA antenna only) [AntennaCmds] Value Type: String. Range/Units: Up to 150 characters.
