Specifications

Introduction and Specifications
RVP8 User’s Manual
March 2006
1–33
1.6 Support Utilities and Available Application Software
The RVP8 system includes a complete set of tools for the calibration, alignment and
configuration of the RVP8. These includes the following utilities:
S ascope- a comprehensive utility for manual signal processor control and data display of
moments, times series and Doppler spectra. ascope includes a realistic signal simulator
capable of producing both first and second trip targets. Recording/playback of time
series and moments is included as well.
S dspx- an ASCII text-based program to access and control the signal processor, including
providing access to the local setup menus.
S speed- a performance measuring utility.
S DspExport- exports the RVP8 to another workstation over the network. This allows
utilities on a remote network to run locally, as opposed to exporting the utility display
window over the network.
S setup- interactive GUI for creating/editing the RVP8 configuration files.
S zauto- calibration utility for use with a test signal generator.
These tools can be run locally on the RVP8 itself or over the network from a central maintenance
facility. The DspExport utility improves the performance of the utilities for network applications
by letting them be run on the workstation that is remote from the RVP8. Note that standard
X–Window export is of course supported but requires more bandwidth.
In addition, complete radar application software can be purchased from SIGMET:
S IRIS/Radar on a separate PC, interfaces to the RVP8 by 100 BaseT Ethernet.
IRIS/Radar controls both the RVP8 and the SIGMET RCP8 radar/antenna control
processor. The package provides complete local and remote control/monitoring, data
processing and communication for a radar system.
S IRIS/Analysis (and options) runs on a separate PC, often at a central site. One
IRIS/Analysis can support up to 20 radar systems. This functions as a radar product
generator (RPG) to provide outputs such as CAPPI, rain accumulations, echo tops,
automatic warning and tracking, etc. Optional software packages are provided for special
applications: wind shear and microburst detection, hydrometeorology with raingage
calibration and subcatchments, composite, dual Doppler and 3D Display.
S IRIS/Web provides IRIS displays to network users on standard PC’s (Windows or
Linux) running Netscape or Internet Explorer.
S IRIS/Display can display products sent to it and, with password authorization, can serve
as a remote control and monitoring site for networked radar systems. Features such as
looping, cross–section, track, local warning, annotation, etc. are all provided by
IRIS/Display. Note that both IRIS/Analysis and IRIS/Radar have all of the capabilities of
IRIS/Display in addition to their own functions. This means that any IRIS system can
display products.