|
Direct Readout Groundstations are turn-key
meteorological workstations based on premium quality commercial-off-the-shelf
(COTS) personal computers, running Microsoft's Windows NT
or 2000 operating system. The COTS systems utilize Intel's
advanced PCI-bus architecture and Pentium class processors
to achieve the highest level of performance and reliability.
The Windows NT/2000 multitasking operating
system supports automated background reception and processing
of imagery from geostationary weather satellites during image
display/fusion, enhancement, looping, printing, and networking.
Up to 55 custom defined sectors can be processed simultaneously.
The operator can define the projection, sector coordinates,
image type (WV, VIS, IR2, IR4, IR5), resolution, and output
file size.
Real-time receiver link performance readouts
are provided for system data acquisition & processing
modes, and satellite transmitting modes. Real-time readouts
include Scanline, Sync, Block#, Satellite Lat/Lon, Satellite
Identification, and Signal Strength, with Lock/Unlock status.
Imagery display and enhancement is handled
by Marta Systems’ powerful "SAND" graphics
display application (incorporated into the US Navy Meteorology
& Oceanography Integrated Data Display System (MIDDS)
and the US Air Force Meteorological Information System Terminal
(MIST) - deployed worldwide).
Image output projection can be specified
as Satellite, Plate Carre, Polar Conus, Polar North, Polar
South, Polar Stereo, Lambert Conus, Lambert North, Mercator,
Gall, and Sanson. If both GOES-East and GOES-West images are
present on the systems in the Marta format they can be combined.
Image analysis tools include temperature,
histogram, and real-time zoom and pan. User definable
palettes, built-in country, rivers/streams, state, county,
airspace, highway and railroad map overlays, and a comprehensive
drawing set which includes scalable symbols, front lines,
and a text editor are included. Real-time navigation readouts
follow mouse cursor movement providing latitude and longitude.
The distance & bearing tool provides nautical miles and
azimuth direction between any two points. Image convolution
filters including, Low Pass, Edge, Hi-Pass, 3D and Custom,
can be applied to enhance satellite imagery.
Image loops are built automatically by sector
type, and can be replayed through the use of user-definable
on-screen "Hot Buttons". While looping, the newest
sectors are automatically acquired and added to their respective
loops. If the operator has zoomed and/or panned the loop,
new sectors are automatically zoomed and/or panned before
being added to the loop, and the oldest sectors are automatically
deleted. Loops can display up to 99 images each (depending
on the file size and system memory configuration), and multiple
loops can run on-screen simultaneously. Image sizing, pan,
zoom, and palette functions may be used in real-time while
the loops are running.
Network Ready - Digital GOES, GMS and
Meteosat imagery products may be accessed by multiple network
users via the system's built-in Ethernet interface.
Network users running Marta Systems' SAND
Graphics Display Program on either Windows-NT or Windows-2000
workstations have access to all imagery and possess the same
graphical enhancement capabilities and looping features built
into the Direct Readout Groundstation. SAND program licenses
are available separately for network workstations.
LAN users who only require basic viewing
capabilities of the imagery on their network systems may
utilize Microsoft's "Paint" or "Imaging"
applications built into Windows or any other common graphic
file viewing software or browser to display the GVAR Systems'
imagery.
Optionally, users not connected on the LAN
can access the GOES, GMS and METEOSAT products via dial-in
modem communications.
Automatic Website Population - The Direct
Readout Groundstation can simultaneously convert the native
PCX file format images to BMP, TIFF or JPEG file formats and
export the products to a network server, providing digital
imagery throughout a local campus environment (real-time imagery
on web sites). The built-in Java Looper Export function
supports multiple website-ready loops complete with looper
speed, pause, and single step controls. The operator can specify
image size and number of images per loop to maximize network
effeciency.
Direct Readout Groundstations support simultaneous
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) for product export to a designated
host.
Weather product acquisition and backup can
be enhanced by optional access to Marta Systems' SKYTAP
Weather Service. SKYTAP provides Internet and/or Public Switched
Telephone Network (PSTN) dial-up modem access to all real-time
Nexrad Weather Radar sites/products, Nexrad National and Regional
Mosaics products, GOES, DIFAX charts, and NWS alphanumeric
products (Domestic Data & Public Products). The data
fusion function supports overlaying of Nexrad and GOES. Optionally,
alphanumeric data (upper air, surface observations, temp/dewpoint,
etc.) can be overlayed as contours and graphical stations
(VFR, MVFR, IFR, wind direction and speed).
Direct Readout Turnkey Systems - Direct
Readout Groundstations consist of a parabolic satellite antenna
and mount assembly, LNB/feedhorn, RF cabling, COTS Pentium
class computer system, Marta Systems' GOES/GVAR-receiver software,
SAND graphics display software, ROUTER software, Drivebay
receiver/bitsync module and PCI-bus interface board.
Optional 2nd antenna and controller
provides input switching to a single GOES/GVAR Groundstation.
Two antennas can share the input to a single Groundstation,
providing the capability to switch between GOES-8 East and
GOES-10 West at an operator selected interval.
-
-
-
One
Year System Warranty includes technical phone support
and software updates
at no charge.
NOTE:
Installation sold separately.
|
