Automated Volume Scan Evaluation and Termination (AVSET) Field Test Training Presented by Joe Chrisman (ROC) and Jami Boettcher (WDTB)

BackgroundBackground WSR-88D VCPs automatically scan predefined elevation anglesWSR-88D VCPs automatically scan predefined elevation angles All VCP elevations scanned regardless of areal coverage or significance of returnAll VCP elevations scanned regardless of areal coverage or significance of return VCP update time fixedVCP update time fixed –All products updated at the fixed VCP completion time interval

Why AVSET? Faster VCP updates long desiredFaster VCP updates long desired –Rotate the antenna faster? –More hardware stress and lowers base data quality –Sample fewer elevations? –Can’t predefine a VCP for every scenario Best option is Automated Volume Scan Evaluation and Termination (AVSET)Best option is Automated Volume Scan Evaluation and Termination (AVSET)

AVSET in a Nutshell AVSET makes each volume scan “dynamic”AVSET makes each volume scan “dynamic” –Number of angles scanned is dependent on the sampled meteorological return Sampling above the weather?Sampling above the weather? –Then stop the current volume scan and start a new one! AVSET runs at RDAAVSET runs at RDA

How AVSET Works Terminates volume scan once returns fall below thresholds of dBZ and areal coverageTerminates volume scan once returns fall below thresholds of dBZ and areal coverage –Shortens time between product updates when no significant data exists on higher elevation tilts –Antenna rotation rates and base data quality do not change! Details forthcoming…Details forthcoming…

How AVSET Works Only analyzes data above 5º – –VCP 31 and 32 not impacted by AVSET To terminate, each condition must be met: 1.≥18 dBZ over < 80 km² 2.≥ 30 dBZ over < 30 km² 3.areal coverage ≥18 dBZ has increased by 12 km² or more since the last volume scan 3.areal coverage ≥18 dBZ has not increased by 12 km² or more since the last volume scan If all three conditions are met…If all three conditions are met…

How AVSET Works All three conditions met? Yes!!All three conditions met? Yes!! –AVSET terminates the volume scan completion of the next higher elevation –AVSET terminates the volume scan after completion of the next higher elevation –VCP 212 Example: Below thresholds at 5.1°? Will terminate after 6.4° AVSET’s thresholds are defaults for nowAVSET’s thresholds are defaults for now

AVSET and VCP 11 Example Lowest 4 elevations: 0.5°, 1.5°, 2.4°, and 3.4°Lowest 4 elevations: 0.5°, 1.5°, 2.4°, and 3.4° –AVSET does no analysis here!

AVSET and VCP 11 Example Next 4 elevations: 4.3°, 5.3°, 6.2°, and 7.5°Next 4 elevations: 4.3°, 5.3°, 6.2°, and 7.5° –AVSET analyzes 5.3°, 6.2°, and 7.5° and –Returns are above thresholds

AVSET and VCP 11 Example Next 3 elevations: 8.7°, 10.0°, and 12.0°Next 3 elevations: 8.7°, 10.0°, and 12.0° –Returns fall below AVSET thresholds on 10.0° –12.0° is sampled as the last elevation Composite Reflectivity entire coverageComposite Reflectivity entire coverage

AVSET Processing A Closer Look Returns below AVSET Thresholds Last Elevation Processed Elevation we did not scan thanks to AVSET AVSET thresholds expected to be sufficiently sensitive… 10° 12° 14°

How Low Can We Go? VCP 11 full volume scan time 4 min, 48 secVCP 11 full volume scan time 4 min, 48 sec –AVSET shortest update 3 min, 12 sec VCP 12 full volume scan time 4 min, 18 secVCP 12 full volume scan time 4 min, 18 sec –AVSET shortest update 3 min, 12 sec

How Low Can We Go? VCP 212 full volume scan time 4 min, 36 secVCP 212 full volume scan time 4 min, 36 sec –AVSET shortest update 3 min, 30 sec VCP 21 full volume scan 5 min, 48 secVCP 21 full volume scan 5 min, 48 sec –AVSET shortest update 4 min, 54 sec

AVSET and Range to Weather AVSET with storms at close rangeAVSET with storms at close range –Entire VCP used AVSET with storms at far rangeAVSET with storms at far range –Only relevant elevations above 5° used

rn Areas of Concern 1. 1.Cone of Silence 2. 2.Impacts on user systems – –Other than bandwidth 3. 3.Level II Bandwidth Impacts – –Shortened volume scan times – –More frequent product updates

Cone of Silence Does AVSET increase the risk of missing elevated convection that develops in the cone of silence?Does AVSET increase the risk of missing elevated convection that develops in the cone of silence? VCP 31 or 32 and 1 st echo of the day – –No AVSET impact in Clear Air Mode

Cone of Silence Worst case so far – –Storms at long range; VCP 21; AVSET on; VCP terminates above 6.0° – –New elevated cell very near RDA; AVSET not sampling high, but much more often! Contributor? – –Avoid VCP 21 and convection! Gaps aloft!

Cone of Silence AVSET thresholds very sensitiveAVSET thresholds very sensitive –Threshold not met –Anything relevant at higher elevations very unlikely Rapidly developing convection very close to the radar?Rapidly developing convection very close to the radar? –AVSET also looks for increase in areal coverage between scans

Cone of Silence If ≥18 dBZ increased ≥12 km 2 at that elevation since last volume scanIf ≥18 dBZ increased ≥12 km 2 at that elevation since last volume scan –AVSET applies even more sensitive thresholds to remaining elevations –≥18 dBZ over < 30 km 2 or ≥30 dBZ over <10 km 2 –If below these new thresholds, volume scan terminates after next higher elevation AVSET results in more frequent sampling to find developing elevated convectionAVSET results in more frequent sampling to find developing elevated convection

KDMXKDMX –Storm cluster northeast –Isolated storm south –One hour intervals

VCP 212 AVSET VCP 12 VCP 12 AVSET VCP 212 T Parkersburg-Dunkerton EF5 Tornado 9 Tornado Warnings Issued During Period AVSET would have provided six additional volume scans T Osceola EF0-EF1 Tornado AVSET Volume Scan Average = 3.7 mins

Impacts on User Systems AVSET exercised at ROC since Spring 2009AVSET exercised at ROC since Spring 2009 AWIPS – No problems identifiedAWIPS – No problems identified OPUP – No problems identifiedOPUP – No problems identified FAA User Systems – No problems identifiedFAA User Systems – No problems identified

Bandwidth Impact Analysis Faster VCP updates => more bandwidth needed to send Level II dataFaster VCP updates => more bandwidth needed to send Level II data –Single site communications load worst case increase of 25-30% –Cumulative network load cannot be estimated using worst case single site figures National Radar Mosaic from Aug 7, :48Z

Analysis Method 29 of 34 radars in area included in analysis29 of 34 radars in area included in analysis –Level II data unavailable for five radars Level II data replayed for 2100Z-2259Z on RPG with AVSETLevel II data replayed for 2100Z-2259Z on RPG with AVSET No Clear Air VCP data usedNo Clear Air VCP data used Radar Used In Analysis Level II Not Available

Bandwidth Impact Analysis Conclusion Out of 29 sites…Out of 29 sites… –1 had increase of > 30% –4 had increase of % –6 had increase of 10 – 20 % –8 had increase of % –10 had 0 or < 1% increase Average Level II bandwidth increase over the region due to AVSET < 10 %Average Level II bandwidth increase over the region due to AVSET < 10 %

Field Test Specifics.. Test ObjectivesTest Objectives –Why are we doing this test? User ControlUser Control Schedule and Participating SitesSchedule and Participating Sites Reporting resultsReporting results

Field Test Objectives 1. 1.Verify that AVSET supports forecast and warning operations 2. 2.Verify that AVSET does not adversely affect the operation of NEXRAD during active weather periods 3. 3.Verify AVSET-produced volume scans with varying completion durations do not adversely impact a. a.Forecast and warning operations b. b.User data processing and display systems

User Control AVSET part of RPG Build 12.0 software; however…AVSET part of RPG Build 12.0 software; however… –Only AVSET Field Test sites (you!) get the “turn it on” software –Will also receive the “Test Log” AVSET Enable/Disable toggle at RPG HCIAVSET Enable/Disable toggle at RPG HCI

User Control: AVSET Rules of Engagement AVSET default state is “Disabled”AVSET default state is “Disabled” –Automatically disabled with any switch to Clear Air Mode (VCP 31 or 32) AVSET must be enabled manuallyAVSET must be enabled manually –When any Precipitation Mode VCP is active, AVSET can be activated –Once selected, AVSET status PENDING until start of next volume scan

User Control: AVSET Rules of Engagement During Field Test period, use AVSET as often as possibleDuring Field Test period, use AVSET as often as possible If for any reason you become uncomfortable with AVSET, disable itIf for any reason you become uncomfortable with AVSET, disable it –Please record on the Test Log reason(s) for not using AVSET for the particular event

User Control: AVSET Rules of Engagement Send FTM to all users each time AVSET manually enabled or disabledSend FTM to all users each time AVSET manually enabled or disabled –Console Message window from RPG Control/Status

User Control: AVSET Rules of Engagement Also…Also… –Please record date/time when AVSET is enabled or disabled in the Test Log

AVSET Field Test: Your Users For the DoD and FAA users…For the DoD and FAA users… –If you feel AVSET is compromising your systems or your ability to perform your mission… –First contact the WSR-88D Hotline – Hotline will verify the problem and will issue request to disable AVSETHotline will verify the problem and will issue request to disable AVSET Please record request & reason in Test LogPlease record request & reason in Test Log

Field Test Participants NWSNWS –Southern Region: –Norman, OK (KTLX) and Melbourne, FL (KMLB) –Central Region: –Goodland, KS (KGLD), Indianapolis, IN (KIND), Pueblo, CO (KPUX), and St. Louis, MO (KLSX) –Eastern Region: –Sterling, VA (KLWX) and State College, PA (KCCX) –Western Region: –Glasgow, MT (KGGW) and Tucson, AZ (KEMX)

Field Test Participants USAF AFWAUSAF AFWA –25th OWS, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ –Associated to KEMX, KPUX, and KGGW –15th OWS, Scott AFB, IL –Associated to KLWX, KCCX, KLSX, and KIND –26th OWS, Barksdale AFB, LA –Associated to KTLX, KLSX, and KMLB FAAFAA –Indianapolis ARTCC, Indianapolis, IN –Associated to KIND

Here’s What We Know So Far AVSET can reduce volume scan duration ≤ 100 sAVSET can reduce volume scan duration ≤ 100 s Bandwidth:Bandwidth: –Per site Level II increase ~28% –Per connection narrowband increase ~25% –“Regional” Bandwidth increases ~10% –Dual Pol bandwidth upgrade expected to support AVSET Cone of Silence:Cone of Silence: –Enhanced logic to address rapid cell growth close to radar –Sampling much more often during cell growth time No impacts to user systems identifiedNo impacts to user systems identified

AVSET Future Plans Thank you for your participation!Thank you for your participation! –Really couldn’t do it without you Given successful completion of AVSET Field Test…Given successful completion of AVSET Field Test… –Brief NEXRAD SREC on Field Test Results –Gain approval to include AVSET in Build 13 –Submit CCR to make AVSET operational in Build 13

Questions?Questions? Joe Chrisman (ROC Engineering)Joe Chrisman (ROC Engineering) –AVSET Developer and Field Test Director –Work Phone: –Cell Phone: –Can address content, test procedures, logistics Jami Boettcher (WDTB)Jami Boettcher (WDTB) –Can address content