Dual Polarization Radar Products (OB8.3)
User Interface Working Group
Presented By:
Jim Ramer and Xiangbao Jing
When: 11
October 2007
GSD Attendees:
Jim Ramer, Xiangbao Jing, Joe Wakefield, Joanne Edwards, Woody Roberts,
Carl Bullock, Leigh Cheatwood, Susan Williams
Teleconference
Attendees: Mike Istok, Ashley Kells, David Friedman, Dan Stein,
Cliff Wong, Mark Fresch, Sharon Ni, Scott Smith, Greg Noonan, Mike
Magsig, Eric Howieson
Click the following for UIWG materials prepared by Jim (D2D
display) and Xiangbao (Radar
Applications).
Click here
for comments received prior to the UIWG from Mike Istok and Mark Fresch.
Dual
Polarization Radar Products
Jim started the UIWG stating the he had three areas that he would like
to discuss regarding the dual polarization products. These include the
following:
- Melting Layer Display
- Digital Precipitation Rate Display
- Hydrometeor Class Sampling
Melting Layer
Display
Currently the melting layer contours are distinguished by line pattern.
These line patterns are not labeled. The group felt these contours
should
somehow be labeled and the following were suggested:
- Labeling the contours on the display
- Multi-load with different colors
- Legend on the screen similar to the hurricane hourly forecast
product
It was decided that the legend was the way to go and would be labeled
in the following order:
- Top Edge
- Top Center
- Bottom Center
- Bottom Edge
Digital
Precipitation Rate
Jim's concern here was the conversion from the two byte values in the
product to the one byte image count. This conversion is completely
adaptable outside the code. Currently, the scale on the image is linear
to a certain point (6in/hr) and then continues logarithmic to the
maximum possible value. Group discussed that they would like to see a
value higher than 6in/hr before the scale goes logarithmic. Mike Magsig will be back to us on the
color table default and how the scale shall be laid out.
Hydrometeor
Class
Jim pointed out the wording the sampling (on the example BigDrops).
Note that the sample string is now more descriptive than what appears
on the color bar. Mike Magsig thought the more descriptive sampling
looked fine.
Group Discussion
Points
- Discussion then centered on the Correlation Coefficient. The
parameters need to be verified and minimum and maximum are needed.
- Differential Reflectivity: Simple 4-panel versus Combo - should
one side be identical in both displays? May need to switch some of the
combinations. Mike Magsig will
help define the displays.
- Differential Reflectivity: Some of the legends are cut off, in
particular, on the 4-panel displays.
- Radar displays appear to have a ring on the display. These rings
depict the edge of the range and are null values burnt in the data.
- Dual Polarization Radar Mosaics - Mosaicing is possible; however,
this has not yet been completed for the dual polarization products. No
new code would be needed for this. Questions then arose as to the
need for this capability; the group thought it might be meaningful for
precipitation data.
- Volume Browser selectors - Mike Magsig brought up a thought
from Dan Baumgardt regarding the levels for the dual polarization data.
This could raise an issue with procedures.
Menu Layouts
- With the Dual Polarization products added in OB8.3, we are seeing
an
issue with space on the radar menus. The question arose as to what dual
polarization products should be on the the top menu. Space is an issue
for the dual polarization products as well as the menu for the
Integrated Environmental Sampling packages. Is it possible to make more
room on this menu? The following suggestions were tossed out:
- Moving the Z/SRM4 Combo
- A pull-right for the radar applications
- Also, the Dual Polarization products need to be delineated on the
menu.
- Add 3-letter abbreviations for Dual Polarization products.
Xiangbao then continued the UIWG with the discussion of the Radar
Applications. Dual Polarization radar products are available in the
One-Time Request (OTR), RPS List Editor, and the Radar Multiple Request
(RMR) radar applications. The following is a list of the discussion
points:
RPS List Editor
- It was suggested that the Dual Polarization radar products should
go
up higher on the RPS List Editor Product List. In particular, these
products should be placed above the Cross-Sections.
- Quantitative Precipitation Estimate - these products should be
moved up with the Precipitation and Snowfall Products. The label shall
be named Dual Pol Precip.
One-Time Request
(OTR)
- On the One-Time Request dialog box, the Selected button
is new in the Elevations(s) section. There was a discussion on the
placement
of this button. Should it be first in the list, above All? Group
consensus was to leave the Selected button as currently prototyped.
Selected shall be the default when the application comes up.
- Note that the Dual Polarization products need to be arranged in
the same manner as the RPS List Editor.
- Quantitative Precipitation Estimate - these products should be
moved up with the Precipitation and Snowfall Products and renamed Dual
Pol Precip.
- The product menu should be as consistent as possible with the RPS
List Editor.
Radar Multiple
Request
- Text format in the product list of the RPS and RMR are now more
descriptive.
- If the request is for the retrieval of a product just once, do
not
need the end hour and it should not be in the description.
- Need to add Melting Layer to the list of products.
- The time span label needs to be changed to a more meaningful
descriptor.
- Time span should go before end hour.
- End Time should be more descriptive (perhaps HH:MM, if applicable)
- Note that the Dual Polarization products need to be moved up in
the list of available product to retrieve.
- Quantitative Precipitation Estimate - these products should be
moved up with the Precipitation and Snowfall Products and renamed Dual
Pol Precip.
- The product menu should be as consistent as possible with the RPS
List Editor.
Post Dual Pol UIWG
Comments
Last Updated 24 Oct 07