A Real-time Data Collection, Analysis, Alarm and Control System NovaStar Base Station Software

NovaStar Software Platform UNIX (QNX) Operating System Platform Highly Reliable, Compact OS Rich Posix Compatible Command Set Networked GUI for Setup and Display Text API for Telnet and Modem Access Secure Multi-User, Multi-Level Access Intranet and Internet Connectivity

Data Collection Features Real-Time Data Collection on Multiple Ports Data Collection for Multiple Formats Connects by Modem, Network or Radio Accepts Self Reporting Data from Remotes Automatic or Manual Station Polling Polling of single or multiple data samples Polling for current or logged data

Data Storage Features Data Storage of Analog, Counter, Encoders with Rollovers, Wind, Digital Status. Automatic Data Validation using Change, Upper and Lower Limits Unlimited Online Data Storage Data Storage Time Resolution to 1 Second Automated Historic Offline Data Archiving Automated Backup of File System

Data Calibration Features Raw or Calibrated Data Storage Remote Data is Stored As Received Time Based Data Calibration Automatic Re-calibration of Rollover Data

Data Analysis Features Statistical Analysis of Data Statistical Equations Real-Time Data Equations Real-Time Basin Averaging Table Lookup with Time Based Assignment Normal and Inversed Table Lookup Table Shift Prorated Over Time

Statistical Analysis of Data Maximum, Minimum Over Period Mean and Sum Over Period Rainfall Storm Total Rainfall Intensity Based on Time of Report Digital Status Runtime Change Over Time Rate of Change

Real-Time Equations Temperature Dewpoint Temperature Wetbulb Vapor Pressure Evapo-transpiration Demand

Database Management Features Data Report Editing Database Structure Checking Database Compression Unlimited Number of Sensors Programmable Sensor Types

Alarm Features Upper, Lower, Change, No Report Limits Multiple Limits for Alarm Types Programmable Alarm Action Alarm Paging Expert System for Multiple Point Alarm Analysis

Data Display Features Scrolling Display of Reports Received Display of Time Analysis Data Custom Report Development Data Overlays on Map Backgrounds Map links to Maps or Commands Trend Charts with Overlaid Sensor Data Displays Show Current or Historic Data

Web Page Features Web Page Server Onboard or on Network Display of Current or Historic Data Hyper-links to CGI Scripts Scripted Web Page Display of Maps, Reports and Trend Chart Data. Reduced Priority Internet Access Prevents Interference with Local Operations

Programmable System Automatic, Scheduled System Activities Custom Command Scripting Programmable Menus User Dependent Menus and Desktops

NovaStar Database Structure Multi-file Indexed Link List Database Last In First Out Data Storage Dynamic Record Assignment File Bitmaps Show Records Used and Free Forward and Backward Record Linking Record Ownership

Database File List and Index File List Holds Record Size, Caching and Bitmap Flags Header Index Defines Device Ids, Identification, Data checking, Storage Limits, and Links to Alarm, Calibration, Data Reports and Table Assignments

Device Type List Space Delimited Text File One Line per Device Type Device Types Indexed by Device Type Number Digital Status Line Parameter Link in File

Data Calibration Records One Calibration per Record Multiple Calibration Records per Device Newest Calibration Linked to Header Record Contains Divisor, Base Value, Data Type Flag, Effective Time of Calibration Records are Time Ordered

Database Data Reports Multiple Page Linked Records First Page Holds Newest Data 100 Data Reports per Page Data Report Contains Value, Time, Flags Reports are Time Sequenced with Newest Report on Top

Database Alarm Records One Alarm per Record Multiple Alarms per Device Alarm Records Contain Alarm Limit, Condition, State and Action

Historic Alarm Log One Record per Alarm Logged Record Contains Type of Alarm, Alarm Information, Time and User Acknowledged and Time of Rest Links to Alarm Notes New Alarms are Appended to End of File

Database Stations One Record per Station Record Contains Station ID, Identification, Type, Location, Elevation, Polling Parameters, Devices Assigned to Station

Table Assignment Records One Table Assignment per Record Multiple Table Assignment per Device Newest Assignment Linked to Header Record Contains Table Assigned, Effective Time of Assignment, Index and Opening Ids, Table Access, Shift Parameters Records are Time Ordered

Rating Tables Up to 100 Table Pairs per Table Record Multiple Records Linked for More Pairs Multiple Records Linked for Variable Openings Records Contain Interpolation, Extrapolation, Table Pairs, Display Units

Database Maintenance Data Report Checking Database Structure Checking Data Editing Data Page Compression Data File Truncation

Security Levels 4 Levels Limit Program and Data Access Visitor - Data Display Only Operator - Data Display and Alarms Supervisor - DB Setup and Maintenance Manger - Full System Access and Configuration

Menu and Desktop Security Customize User Menu to Limit Program Access Customize User Desktop to Eliminate Program Access

File Permissions POSIX Operating System File Permissions Owner Access Group Access Other Access Read, Write, Execute Access

Data Report Archive Data Report Archives Saves Data Reports in Off-line Data Files Calibration and Table Assignments Saved in Archive Files One Month of Data per Archive File in Month and Year Directory Tree Structure Automatic Archives to Occur Daily

Data Report Archive Format Standard Archive File Format is Binary for Database Retrieval Text Archive File Format Done by Data Export Programs Put Text Archive Files in a Directory Tree for Internet Access

Data File Backups Backups Copy Files to Off-line Storage Backup to Removable or Network Disks Backup Complete Database Directory to Get All Database Links NovaStar Database Backup Suspends Database Modification until Complete Backup After Change or Once a Month

Data Import Import Ascii Data With the Ascii File Reader Create AFR Command Files to Simplify Repeat Imports Translate Ascii Files from DOS to QNX Format Before Importing

Data Export Export ASCII Data with Export Programs: datadisp - Single Sensor Display Program dispdata - Time Based Analysis Display dispsers - Time Based Analysis Display disprpts - Report Based Display Command Delimited Format HTML Table Format

Data Printing Export Data Reports by Printing to a File Select DOS File Format Print to Local Public Access Directory Print to Network Server Directory

Modeling River Forecast Models SSMA - Internal or External model HEC1/1F - External model Internal Models Run on NovaStar Platform External Models require data export and forecast import

Modeling Data Requirements Calibration Requires Several Years of Data That Includes Wet and Dry Periods Forecast Points Require Rating Tables Basin Size, Water Import, Water Export Must Be Known Operational Gages Should Be Located in Basin and at Forecast Point

Modeling Data Export Automated Data Export can Push Data onto the Forecast Model Platform Model Data can be Saved on NovaStar Server and Pulled by Forecast Model Simple Space or Comma Delimited Ascii File Export Work Well

Modeling Data Import Forecast Data Can be Imported Using the AFR program Forecast Data Can be Checked for Alarms Display Forecast Data in Maps, Report and Trend Charts Compute Level Data with Inverse Rating Table Lookups

Understanding Script Files The POSIX ksh Korn Shell Executes Scripts Scripts Execute UNIX/NovaStar Commands Use Command Explains Command Syntax Internal Variables are Available Script Files Must be made Executable

Troubleshooting No Data Collection Check That Receive Data Program Running Check Power To Receive Equipment Check Receiver to Decoder Cable Check Decoder to Computer Cable Check Receive Data Port Assignment Check Receive Data Port Baud Rate

Troubleshooting No Data in Device Reports Check Database for Data Linkage Errors Check Data Time Storage Limit Check Display Program Time Options Edit Database to Check Validations

Troubleshooting Bad Data in Reports Check Device Data Checking Parameters Check For Invalid Data Calibration Check Break Flags for Counter Resets Consider Other Station Using Same ID Test Remote Station Signal Out

Troubleshooting Recovering Lost Data Check Database to Repair Linkage Errors Retrieve Archived Data Search for Lost Data Pages in Database

Troubleshooting Modems Do Not Answer Check Modem Power Check Modem Cable Check Modem Port Assignment Check System Tasks to See if Modem Process Running Check if Program Running on Modem with stty command

Troubleshooting QNX Native Networking Down Check Node Status with alive Check that Net and Net.driver Running Check Node Licenses using sin info Check Active Licenses using licinfo -a Check Network Mapping File /etc/config/netmap

Troubleshooting Intranet Networking Down Check that TCP/IP Socket Running Check Hostname for Socket Check if SMB programs smbd and nmbd are Running Modify /etc/smbstart to Increase smbd Debug Level to check authentication

Troubleshooting Internet Networking Down Check that TCP/IP Socket Running Check Hostname for Socket Check Domain and Name Server in /etc/resolv.conf Check that Gateway defined in /etc/netstart

Troubleshooting System Lockup Turn Off Screen Blanker Login and Change Priority to Higher Level Look for Run Away Processes that are Always READY Run Suspect Processes at Lower Priority using nice or renice