Vaisala IRIS - TOPS: Echo Tops; Figure 28 TOPS Example Configuration

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3.20 TOPS: Echo Tops

Figure 28 TOPS Example Conﬁguration

TOPS is a color-coded contour map of the top of a selected dBZ level.

Either Z or ZT can be used as the basis for the estimate.

Heights are displayed in kilometers and tenths of kilometers. A PPI volume scan task is

required (either FULL or SECTOR).

The TOPS product is an excellent indicator of severe weather and hail. For example, a

50 dBZ top 1 km (0.6 mi) above the freezing level can be produced only by a vigorous

convective storm, and is most probably caused by the presence of hail. For air trac

applications, the search can be made using a lower threshold value, such as 10 dBZ, to

determine the height of surrounding precipitation.

1. Select Type > TOPS.

IRIS Product and Display User Guide M211319EN-H

86 RESTRICTED

Main Page

Table of Contents3
About this Document13
Version Information13
Related Documents13
Table Document Versions (English)13
Table 2 Vaisala Weather Radar Documentation13
Documentation Conventions14
IRIS Product Overview15
Table 3 IRIS Products15
Table 4 Optional IRIS Products17
Configuring IRIS Products18
Configuring Products18
Product Configuration Menu19
Associating Products with Tasks19
Configuring Map Projections21
Example of 15-Tilt Volume Scan21
Table 5 Supported Map Projections22
Product Parameters25
Table 6 Data Types26
Table 7 Algorithms for Rain Alg28
Display Parameters29
Table 8 Display Units30
Table 9 Display Parameter Formats31
Color Legend Format Example32
Table 10 Default Picture Resolutions33
BASE: Echo Base Product34
BEAM: Antenna Beam Pattern Product36
CAPPI: Constant Altitude Plan Position Indicator38
FCAST: Forecast39
HMAX: Height of Maximum Intensity Product42
LAYER: Layer Average43
Example of 15-Tilt Volume Scan44
MAX: Maximum Data with Side Panels45
Figure 10 Example MAX Display46
Configuring MAX Products47
MLHGT: Melting Level Height49
Figure 12 Melting Level Height Detection50
MLHGT Algorithm51
Figure 13 MLHGT Algorithm Flow Diagram52
Configuring MLHGT Products54
Figure 14 MLHGT Configuration Example54
Using MLHGT Data Flow with Other Products56
Figure 15 MLHGT Data Flow for Use with Other Products56
PPI: Plan Position Indicator57
Figure 16 PPI Example Configuration57
RAIN1: Hourly Rain Accumulation58
Figure 17 RAIN1 Example Configuration58
Scheduling RAIN1 Products59
RAIN-N: N-Hour Rain Accumulation61
Figure 18 RAIN-N Example Configuration61
Scheduling RAIN-N Products62
RAW: Raw Data64
Figure 19 RAW Example Configuration64
Configuring RAW Products65
Recording RAW Data Automatically65
RHI: Range Height Indicator66
Figure 20 RHI Example Configuration66
RHI Cumulonimbus Example68
Figure 21 RHI Cumulonimbus Example68
Should I Use RHI or XSECT69
Table 11 Comparison of RHI and XSECT69
RTI: Range Time Indicator70
Figure 22 RTI Example Configuration70
SRI: Surface Rainfall Intensity73
SRI Algorithm73
Figure 23 SRI Reflectivity Profile Example74
Input Reflectivity Profiles75
Figure 24 VVP Reflectivity Profile Example76
Table 12 First Guess Monthly Melting Height Values for the Northern76
Setting the Current Melting Level Without Restarting IRIS77
Configuring SRI79
Figure 25 SRI Configuration Example79
SRI Profile Correction Example81
Format of Terrain Map File83
Figure 26 Example Profile Correction against Range83
SRI References84
STAT: IRIS System Status84
THICK: Echo Thickness Product86
Figure 27 THICK Example Configuration86
TOPS: Echo Tops88
Figure 28 TOPS Example Configuration88
Figure 29 Example of 15-Tilt Volume Scan89
TRACK: Track/Forecast90
Figure 30 TRACK Example Configuration90
Figure 31 TRACK with Two Centroids91
VAD: Velocity Azimuth Display94
Figure 32 VAD Example Configuration94
VIL: Vertically Integrated Liquid95
Figure 33 VIL Example Configuration95
Figure 34 Example of 15-Tilt Volume Scan97
VVP: Velocity Volume Processing98
Figure 35 VVP Example Configuration98
Figure 36 Example of Radial Velocity against Azimuth Display99
Producing VVP Product Output101
WARN: Warning/Centroid Product101
Figure 37 HAIL Warning/Centroid103
Figure 38 Example of Warning Situation Display104
Table 13 Warning Criteria Examples105
Configuring WARN Products106
WIND: Wind Speed and Direction110
Figure 39 WIND Example Configuration110
XSECT: Cross Section112
Figure 40 XSECT Configuration Example112
Figure 41 Cross Section Geometry113
Scheduling Products115
Product Scheduler Menu115
Figure 42 Product Scheduler115
Scheduling Products116
Adding a Product to Schedule121
Removing a Product from Schedule121
Editing Product Configuration121
Stopping Product Generation121
Tips for Running Radar Products122
Table 14 System Performance Considerations for Generating Radar Products122
Configuring and Scheduling Optional IRIS Products123
CATCH: Subcatchments Precipitation Accumulation123
Configuring CATCH Products124
Figure 43 CATCH Example Configuration124
Subcatchment Definition126
Scheduling CATCH Products126
CATCH Algorithm127
Displaying CATCH128
Figure 44 CATCH Product Display128
COMP: Composite130
Figure 45 Example of Composite Projection Geometry130
Composite Algorithm132
System Manager Preparations for Composites133
Configuring COMP134
Figure 46 COMP Configuration Example134
WARN Algorithm138
COMP Scheduling139
Figure 47 Composite Scheduling Example139
DWELL Algorithm: Composite in Time141
Figure 48 DWELL Schematic Example141
DWELL Algorithm Examples142
Figure 49 PPI of Dbz at a Single Time143
Figure 50 DWELL of PPI for the Previous 2 Hours Showing Dbz144
Applying the DWELL Algorithm to Product Scheduling145
Figure 51 Dwell of PPI for the Previous 2 Hours Showing Time (Age)145
Figure 52 Background Field for 2-Hour Dwell Showing Dbz148
Configuring DWELL Products with Target Detection Disabled150
Figure 53 DWELL Example Configuration with Target Detection Disabled150
DWELL Target Detection Algorithm153
Figure 54 Schematic of Target Warning Algorithm154
Target Detection: Input Task and Product Optimization155
Table 15 Optimizing Scan Task for DWELL Target Detection155
Table 16 Suggested Input Product Types for Target Warning156
Configuring DWELL Products with Target Detection Enabled157
Figure 55 Target Detection Configuration Example157
Table 17 Optimizing Input Products for DWELL Target Detection157
Target Detection: Migratory Bird Examples159
GAGE: Raingage Reports167
Displaying GAGE168
Figure 56 Raingage Product Display168
NDOP : Multiple Doppler169
Figure 57 Raingage Datagram169
Figure 58 Dual Doppler Geometry Plan View170
Input Velocity Corrections171
Configuring NDOP Products173
Figure 59 NDOP Example Configuration173
NDOP Display and Algorithm175
Figure 60 Example NDOP Display176
SHEAR: Wind Shear178
Figure 61 SHEAR Example Configuration178
Figure 62 Schematic Examples of Wind Shear180
SHEAR Algorithm181
Figure 63 Radial Shear Algorithm Schematic182
Optimizing SHEAR for Microburst Detection184
Figure 64 B-Scan Space (PPI Surface)184
Table 18 Mean Velocity Shear Correction185
Figure 65 TASK Configuration for Microburst Detection187
SLINE: Shear Line190
Figure 66 SLINE Example Configuration190
Figure 67 Typical Shear Line Example191
Shear Line Radar Signatures193
Shear Line Algorithm194
SWS: Surface Weather Stations194
Displaying SWS Data195
Figure 68 Example of Radar Data with an Overlay of SWS Station Plots195
Figure 69 IRIS Single Station Plot195
Figure 70 Okta Standard Symbols196
Figure 71 Present Weather (METAR Text-To-Symbol Matching)197
Table 19 METAR Visibility Codes198
Table 20 Cloud Height Codes for SWS198
SWS Output Options199
Figure 72 SWS Pressure Trend Symbols199
SWS Raw Report200
Figure 73 SWS Tool200
Configuring SWS Input201
Figure 74 SWS Raw Report Example201
Feeding in SWS Data203
METAR and WMO File Format Examples203
Quick Look Window204
Overview of Quick Look Window204
Figure 75 Example QLW: PPI Reflectivity204
Setting-Up and Starting Quick Look Windows205
QLW Control and Monitoring206
Viewing Products in Quick Look Window208
Figure 76 Quick Look Window209
QLW Live Action Tool: Product Generation and Display210
Figure 77 Example Live Action Tool for CAPPI210
Changing Window Size and Zoom Level211
Color Scale Tool212
Figure 78 Color Scale Tool213
Highlight Tool215
Display Options Tool - IRIS Product Output215
Figure 79 Display Options Menu216
Display Options Tool - Quick Look Window221
Product Overlay Tool222
Figure 80 Product Overlay Tool223
Animation Tool224
Figure 81 Quick Look Window Animation Tool224
Slide Show Tool229
Figure 82 Slide Show Tool229
Cursor Tool231
Figure 83 Cursor Tool231
Selecting and Planting Home Points232
Creating Named Home Points (Operators Only)233
Figure 84 Cursor Set/Plant Tool233
Track/Annotate Tool234
Figure 85 QLW Track/Annotate Tool234
Creating and Editing a Track236
Adding and Editing Annotation Text239
Adding and Deleting Tracking and Annotation Icons240
Tracking Typhoons with the Add Spiral Option240
Figure 86 Typhoon Track Example241
Forecast Tool243
Figure 87 Forecast Example with a Typhoon244
Cross-Section (XSECT) Tool245
Figure 88 Cross-Section with Typhoon Example246
Creating a Cross-Section247
Figure 89 Cross-Section Range Scale247
Product Output Options Tool249
CAPPI Height Selection Tool250
THICK Output Options250
Figure 90 THICK Output Tool250
NDOP Output Options251
VAD Output Options251
Figure 91 Example of Velocity Azimuth Display252
Figure 92 VAD Output Tool252
VVP Output Options: Time-Height253
VVP Output Options: Line Graphs255
WARN Output Options258
Figure 93 WARN Output Options258
WIND and FCAST Output Options259
Printing and Exporting Displays260
QLW Keyboard Commands261
Requesting Product Output262
Overview of Requesting Product Output262
Product Output Devices and Files262
Accessing the Product Output Menu263
Product Output Filters263
Figure 94 Product Output Filters263
Product Output: Product List266
Table 21 Standard Product Generation Parameters267
Sending a Product to a Device268
Flagging a Product270
Performing Archive Operations271
Overview of Archive and Retrieve Operations271
Using the Archive Menu271
Figure 95 Archive Menu272
Archive Control Area273
Figure 96 Archive Control Area273
Archive Log Area276
Figure 97 Archive Log Area276
Initializing a Tape or Disk for Recording278
Mounting a Tape or Disk279
Recording Data280
Creating and Printing a Log281
Creating a Tape Log281
Printing a Tape or Disk Log282
Retrieving Product Files from an Archive282
Stopping an Archive Operation283
Unmounting a Tape or Disk284
Managing Ingest Files285
Figure 98 Ingest Summary Menu285
Tagging and Untagging Ingest Files288
Choosing Overlay Files289
Overlay Overview289
Invoking Overlay289
Overlay Header296
Table 22 Overlay Latitude and Longitude Header Commands296
Table 23 Overlay Map Unit Header Commands296
Assigning an Overlay to a Radar Site297
Figure 99 Site Overlay Example297
Appendix A: Basic Radar Meteorology298
Introduction to Radar Meteorology298
Figure 100 Range bin Geometry298
Reflectivity299
Geometry300
Figure 101 Dbz Values for Various Phenomena300
Problems in Interpreting Radar Images301
Figure 102 Beam Height Vs. Range301
Doppler Wind Measurements302
Clutter Cancellation302
Figure 103 Typical Spectrum Plot303
Appendix B: Radial Velocity Correction304
Radial Velocity Correction304
Motion Parameters and Coordinate Transformations304
Table 24 Basic Variables of Ship Motion Sensing304
Radial Velocity Correction305
Figure 104 Vectors Used for Velocity Correction in Earth Coordinates306
Aircraft Tail Radars307
Configuring Radial Velocity Correction308
Table 25 Velocity Correction for Aircraft Tail Radars308
Testing Radial Velocity Correction309
In Situ Testing Suggestions309
Velocity Correction Algorithm: INU Example310
Appendix C: IRIS 3Dview312
IRIS 3Dview Overview312
IRIS 3Dview in System Architecture313
Figure 105 IRIS 3Dview User Interface313
IRIS 3Dview System Requirements314
Figure 106 IRIS 3Dview Data Flow314
Installing IRIS 3Dview315
Getting Started with IRIS 3Dview321
Figure 107 IRIS 3Dview Starting View321
Opening Data Files in IRIS 3Dview322
Rendering Modes322
Surface Rendering322
Volume Rendering323
Figure 108 Example of Surface Rendering323
Figure 109 Example of Volume Rendering324
Managing the IRIS 3D Display325
Figure 110 IRIS 3D Display325
Using the IRIS 3Dview Export Tool326
Figure 111 Export Tool327
Figure 112 IRIS 3Dview Background Output Configuration Window328
Using the Product Information Tool329
Figure 113 Product Information Tool329
Using the IRIS 3Dview Cursor Tool330
Figure 114 Cursor Tool331
Adjusting IRIS 3Dview Screen Settings332
Playing Back Data332
Figure 115 IRIS 3Dview Animation Toolbar332
Managing IRIS 3Dview Settings334
Figure 116 IRIS 3Dview Settings Window334
Appendix D: IRIS TDWR Features336
Items Provided with IRIS/TDWR Option336
IRIS/TDWR Terminology337
IRIS/TDWR Hardware Configuration Example338
Figure 117 IRIS/TDWR Hardware Configuration Example338
Data Flow for Ribbon Display Generation339
Figure 118 Data Flow for Generating TDWR Ribbon Display Products339
IRIS/TDWR Configuration Summary340
IRIS Preparation340
Configuring Protected Areas (Arenas) for TDWR340
Figure 119 Configuring Protected Areas for TDWR341
Configuring IRIS Tasks and Products for TDWR342
Configuring IRIS Product Outputs for TDWR342
Ribbon Displays344
Supported Ribbon Displays345
Dale Ribbon Display Hardware Installation345
Dale Ribbon Display General Use346
Figure 120 Dale Ribbon Display Installation346
Figure 121 Dale Ribbon Display Controls346
Table 26 Ribbon Display Pin Assignments346
IRIS Virtual Ribbon Display348
Figure 122 Vribbon Display348
Configuring Ribbon Display Software349
Figure 123 Ribbon Display Setup Menu352
Ribbon Display Testing with Tdwr_Sim353
Ribbon Display Alert Messages355
TDWR/LLWAS Integrator and Runways Utility355
Figure 124 TDWR Ribbon Display Alert Messages355
Configuring Integrator and Runways Utility - Runways.conf356
Figure 125 Iris/Integrator Communication356
Starting Integrator Utility361
Runways Utility362
Appendix E: Hydromet Raingage Correction365
Hydromet Raingage Correction Overview365
Hydromet Data Flow for Raingage Correction365
Table 27 IRIS Features for Hydrometeorological Applications365
Figure 126 RAIN1 Raingage Correction Data Flow366
Gage Data File Format368
Configuring RAIN1 with Raingage Correction370
Algorithm for RAIN1 Gage Calibration373
RAIN1 Scheduling with GAGE Product374
Hydromet Raingage References376
Appendix F: Task Configuration Examples377
Task Configurations377
Surveillance377
Figure 127 SURVEILLANCE Task Configuration: Dual-Polarization378
Vol_A379
Vol_B380
Figure 128 VOL_A Task Configuration - Dual Polarization380
Wind381
Figure 129 VOL_B Task Configuration - Dual Polarization381
SUNCAL and ZDRCAL Tasks382
Figure 130 WIND Task Configuration382
Product Configurations and Scheduler383
RAW Products383
Figure 131 SUNCAL and ZDRCAL Task Configurations383
Melting Height Products384
Figure 132 Melting Height Product Configuration384
Product Scheduler385
Figure 133 Default Product Scheduler385
Index387
Warranty391
Technical Support391
Recycling391

Vaisala IRIS - TOPS: Echo Tops; Figure 28 TOPS Example Configuration

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