TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY STICKNET DOCUMENTATION last updated: 9 Dec 2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This README file provides information concerning the Texas Tech University StickNet probe data sampling details and data structure. For more information please contact Dr. Chris Weiss. Dr. Christopher Weiss Assistant Professor of Atmospheric Science Texas Tech University Phone: (806)742-4712 FAX: (806) 742-1738 e-mail: Chris.Weiss@ttu.edu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Each file contains StickNet data for a single deployment. During the 2009 VORTEX2 field phase, there are a couple of occasions where a probe is deployed twice during a given day, in which case separate files will exist for each drop. All data have been run through an objective QC algorithm and inspected subjectively. Two flags have been appended to the end of each data string: - a thermodynamic flag (TFLG) for potentially erroneous values of T, RH, and/or P - a kinematic flag (WFLG) for potentially erroneous values of WS and/or WD Bias correction has NOT been applied to these data as there is no consistent objective method to determine bias for these platforms. A series of mass tests was performed on down days throughout the project, where all probes collected data for a period of time in close proximity. Users are encouraged to use these mass tests and instrument intercomparison during quasi-homogeneous periods before/after target sampling to determine if any bias correction is appropriate. * MAXIMUM SAMPLING RATE * For probes ending in 'A', sampling rate can be toggled between 1 Hz and 5 or 10 Hz. For probes ending in 'B', the sampling rate is 1 Hz. The intent for most deployments is to sample at the maximum sampling rate possible. The sampling rate can be determined by looking at the timestamps within individual data files. Maximum sampling rate capabilities by platform are as follows: -->1 Hz 0102B 0104B 0106B 0108B 0214B 0216B 0218B 0220B 0222B 0224B -->5 Hz 0101A 0103A 0105A 0107A 0109A 0110A 0111A 0112A -->10 Hz 0213A 0215A 0217A 0219A 0221A 0223A --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * DATA STRUCTURE * -->FILENAME Each file name depicts the probe ID, date and time (in UTC) of the start of data collection taken from an onboard GPS read at the time of deployment. If the GPS read is unsuccessful, this timestamp will be filled by zeroes. The format for the filename is: ID_DDMMYYY_HHMMSS. Sample: 0223A_17052009_164123 Probe: 0223A Date: 17 May 2009 Time: 16:41:23 UTC -->HEADER Each file will possess a header providing time, position and orientation information. The header, in most cases, represents a GPS and compass read at the end of data collection. Electronic compass orientation is included in the header and is automatically incorporated into the wind direction data. If no compass value is acquired in the header, a value of '0' is assumed and incorporated into the wind direction data. ALL PLATFORMS ARE CONFIGURED SUCH THAT THE WIND SENSOR READS 0 DEGREES WHEN ALIGNED WITH THE COMPASS. Data users will need to consult archived deployment notes for platform orientation in the event a compass fails to report. The format for the header is: ID,DDMMYYYY,HH:MM:SS,Latitude,Longitude,Elevation,Compass Sample: 0223A,17052009,16:41:23,38.8914,99.3214, 00614.4,190.2 Probe: 0223A Date: 17 May 2009 Time: 16:41:23 Latitude: 38.8914 (decimal degrees N) Longitude: 99.3214 (decimal degrees W) Elevation: 614.4 (meters) Compass: 190.2 (degrees) -->DATA The following units represent the data collected: TIME (HHMMSS.s UTC; HH - hour; MM - minute; SS - second; s - tenth of second) TEMPERATURE (C) RELATIVE HUMIDITY (%) BAROMETRIC PRESSURE (hPa) WIND SPEED (m/s) WIND DIRECTION (deg) ACCUMULATED RAINFALL (mm)* ACCUMULATED HAILFALL (hits/cm^2)* SUPPLY VOLTAGE (VDC)* * Rainfall and hailfall and supply voltage data are only available with 'B' Probes The format for data collected by an 'A' probe is: HHMMSS.s,TEMP,RH,BP,WS,WD,TFLG,WFLG Sample for 'A' probe: 164147.3,19.9,23.3,951.8,5.2,203.9,0,0 Time: 164147.3 UTC TEMP: 19.9 C RH: 23.3 % BP: 951.8 hPa WS: 5.2 m/s WD: 203.9 deg TFLG: Thermo data pass QC WFLG: Wind data pass QC The format for data collected by a 'B' probe is: HHMMSS,TEMP,RH,BP,WS,WD,RAIN,HAIL,VOLTAGE,TFLG,WFLG Sample for 'B' probe: 164129,20.1,24.5,951.6,5.8,205.7,0.00,0.0,18.1,0,1 Time: 164129 UTC TEMP: 20.1 C RH: 24.5 % BP: 951.6 hPa WS: 5.8 m/s WD: 205.7 deg RAIN: 0.00 mm HAIL: 0.0 hits/cm^2 VOLTAGE: 18.1 VDC TFLG: Thermo data pass QC WFLG: Wind data fail QC --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ***** UPDATES ***** --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 MAY 2009 Probes 0104B and 0222B use the WXT520 Weather Transmitter. All other 'B' probes use the WXT510. -->Precipitation data from the WXT510 report as a "tipping bucket", and will need to be summed to generate a total precipitation amount for the event. -->Precipitation data from the WXT520 report as a running accumulated total. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information on the StickNet probes, please contact Chris Weiss (Chris.Weiss@ttu.edu) and see: Weiss, C. C., and J. L. Schroeder, 2008: StickNet - A new, portable, rapidly-deployable, surface observing system. Preprints, 88th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society, New Orleans, LA, 4A.1