UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
3 1822 04429 0641
3 1822 04429 0641
ATMOSPHERIC OPTICS GROUP
TECHNICAL NOTE NO. 246
Version 1.2
July 2000
Offsite
(Annex-Jo
rnals)
WSI Operations Manual
QC
974.5
. T43
no. 246
DAYLIGHT VISIBLE/NIR
WHOLE SKY IMAGER
(E/O CAMERA SYSTEM 7)
UNIVERSITY
OF
CALIFORNIA
SAN DIEGO
J.E. Shields
N
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.......
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E UND
.
FORNI
THE
..........
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.......
.
The material contained in this note is to be considered
proprietary in nature and is not authorized for distribution
without the prior consent of the Marine Physical Laboratory.
SCRIPPS
INSTITUTION
OF
OCEANOGRAPHY
MARINE PHYSICAL LAB San Diego, CA 92152-6400
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
II
3 1822 04429 0641
WSI Operations Manual
Daylight Visible/NIR
WHOLE SKY IMAGER
(E/O Camera System 7)
(July 2000)
This operations manual summarizes the basic support and operational procedures required for the
normal operation of the Whole Sky Imager. It is intended as an operational guide for the use of on-site
host personnel in operating the WSI and in performing periodic inspection and assessment of the
system's performance.
This Whole Sky Imager was developed by the Atmospheric Group of the Marine Physical
Laboratory at the University of California, San Diego. Individuals involved in the design include Janet
Shields, Richard Johnson, Monette Karr, Jason Wertz, Justin Baker and Jerry Crum. The system was
designed for the Meteorological Observatory Potsdam of the Deutsher Wetterdienst, in collaboration
with Dr. Uwe Feister and Dr. Klaus Dehne. We appreciate the support of our sponsors and especially
wish to recognize the work of Dr. Feister.
UCSD/MPL POINTS OF CONTACT
1. Janet E. Shields (858) 534-1769
2. Monette E. Karr
(858) 534-1767
Daylight Visible/ NIR
WSI Operations Manual
Whole Sky Imager
(E/O Camera System 7)
July 2000
Table of Contents
..................................................................................
....
Summary.....
List of Figures and Tables ............
1. Overview..
..........................................................................
1.1
1.2
The Daylight Vis/NIR WSI ......
Comparative WSI System Characteristics..............
2.
Hardware Overview
............................................................
2.1 The Optical System..........
2.2 The Equatorial Occultor..
2.3 Accessory Control Panel ..
2.4 Camera Housing..
2.5 Environmental Housing
2.6 Computer Control Hardware and Software
3.
Operating the System 7 WSI..
3.1 Power Up Sequence .....
3.2 Power Down Sequence...
4.
Running the WSI Software .........
.....
4.1 Automated Mode Input File, RunWSI.ini.....
4.2 Running in Automated Mode, Program RunWSI.....
4.3 The Interactive Program, WSInteractive.......
4.4 Running under V++..
4.5 Additional WSI Programs...
5.
Routine Maintenance......
5.1 Safety Precautions............
5.2 Maintenance Procedures ........
6.
Instrument Products .
7.
Acknowledgements ....
References ..............
8.1 General References......
8.2 Technical Memoranda...........
Tables
Table 2.1 Optical Filters in the Filter Changer..
Table 2.2 Filter Wheel Setting Options .....
..............................................
Table 4.1 Primary Software Modes for WSI Operation ............
Table 4.2 Normal V++ Camera Settings for Program RunWSI..
Table 5.1 Occultor Arm Replacement Dates .
Table 5.2 Occultor Arm Replacement and Alignment Steps ...................
Table 5.3 Temperature vs Resistance of Camera Housing Thermistor ......
Figures
Figure 1-1 Sky near Sunset acquired through Red Filter with WSI System 7,
3 Nov 99, 00:15Z, San Diego.......
.....
3
Figure 1-2 WSI in its housing with the housing cover removed ......
Ove
LU
......
..........
10
Figure 2-1 System 7, WSI Optical System. ............
Figure 2-2 Optical Stack Drawing, showing the optics (filter changer is not inclu-
ded in the drawing), camera, and housing..
Figure 2-3 Solar Occultor..
Figure 2-4 Accessory Control Panel (ACP) .....
Figure 2-5 Accessory Control Panel Interior, showing the power supply and
printed circuit boards....
Figure 2-6 WSI Camera Housing (with occultor).....
Figure 2-7 WSI Environmental Housing.......
Figure 2-8 Computer and Monitor used to control the WSI.... .........
Figure 2-9 Schematic of the WSI System 7 Data Control.. ........
Figure 3-1 Power and Reboot Buttons on Computer and Monitor.............
Figure 3-2 Monitor Display in V++, showing the “X” to use for exiting
the program..............
Figure 3-3 Monitor Display to request ShutDown, showing the “Start” button
and “Shut Down".
.................................................................
SO
.......
............................
..........
22
.......
....
..........
........
..........
.........
.....
Figure 3-4 Monitor Display to confirm ShutDown, showing the “ShutDown”.
query.....
Figure 4-1 Run WSI.ini, the primary input file............. ...........
Figure 4-2 Typical Monitor Display during Program RunWSI................
Figure 4-3 RunWSI Program Logic.....
Figure 4-4 WSInteractive Program Logic......
Figure 4-5 The Camera Dialog Box in V++. ......
Figure 4-6 Additional V++ Feature Selection Buttons.....
Figure 5-1 Back of the ACP showing where the Occultor Shorting Plug should be
placed..................................
.............................
Figure 5-2 Location of Occultor Retainer set screws and Alignment set screws .. 46
Figure 5-3 Occultor Arm Replacement Schedule.
...................................
Page 1
1.
Overview
This Operations Manual provides a brief overview of the new Daylight
Visible/NIR Whole Sky Imager (WSI), EO System 7 Unit 1, and discusses operation of
the instrument. The WSI provides high resolution digital images of the sky in up to 7
pre-selected wavebands through the visible and near infrared. The WSI acquires images
of the upper hemisphere and records the resulting imagery with a 12 bit digital CCD
camera. The CCD has a 1536x1024 resolution. The optical image is designed to use
approximately a 980x980 region of the CCD. A sample image from the WSI is shown in
Fig. 1-1. The instrument, with the environmental housing cover removed is shown in
Fig. 1-2.
1.1
The Daylight Vis/NIR WSI
The WSI provides digital measurements of the absolute radiance distribution of
the sky in each of the optical passbands. In each passband, a radiance distribution over
approximately 750,000 directions (taken at 1/6 degree resolution) is determined
simultaneously. In addition, the WSI provides an assessment of opaque cloud fraction
and cloud position over the sky. It is capable of providing assessments of thin cloud
fraction, given appropriate algorithm refinement.
The system is fully automated, and is normally controlled by a PC computer
operating under the Windows NT environment. Software is provided for interactive and
automated control of the instrument. Processing of the images for cloud fraction and
radiance distribution is accomplished off-line with a processing program provided with
the WSI.
1.2
Comparative WSI System Characteristics
The instrument is similar in concept to the Day WSI (E/O System 5) and the
Day/Night WSI (E/O System 6) developed for other sponsors by our Atmospheric Optics
Group at Marine Physical Lab. In comparison with these instruments, this is the first
instrument with the higher (essentially 1024 x 1024) spatial resolution. The ability to
acquire data beyond 850 nm in the NIR is also new. The instrument is designed for
daylight use only, although initial tests indicate it is effective down to sunset and beyond.
It has a less sophisticated environmental housing than the System 6 WSI, but like System
6, the housing includes both heating and cooling and is appropriate for a wide range of
conditions.
In
.
In comparison with the earlier Day WSI, EO System 5, designed and fielded in
the 80's, this system has far better optical resolution, due both to the higher chip
resolution and the higher quality optical relay. The system also has much lower noise
and higher dynamic range, due to advances in solid state sensors, enabling a change to a
digital 12 bit CCD camera.
Page 2
The System 5 Day WSI ran under DOS; the System 6 Day/Night WSI has both
DOS and Windows 95 versions; and the new System 7 Daylight Visible/NIR WSI runs
under WindowsNT. Several versions of WSI software exist, due to the differences in
operating system, differences in sponsor requirements, and differences in the cameras.
: version of the System 7 WSI will have somewhat less sophisticated cloud
algorithms initially, but it will have more sophisticated capability for measuring and
extracting sky radiance.

Page 3
Figure 1-1. Sky near sunset acquired through red filter with WSI System 7, 3 Nov. 99
00:15Z, San Diego.

Page 4
23
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Figure 1-2. WSI in its housing with the housing cover removed.
Page 5
2.
Hardware Overview
2.1
The Optical System
One of the primary challenges with development of multi-spectral WSI systems is
the incompatibility between the image size produced by the lens and the size of the CCD
chip, combined with the need to allow for the introduction of the 2-wheel filter changer
somewhere in the optical path. Our System 6 Day/Night WSIs address these issues by
using a tapered coherent fiber optic bundle which minifies the image and transfers the
image location. With the System 7 WSI, we have returned to the optical relay concept
used with the earlier System 5 Day WSIs. These 1980's-era instruments used a 5 lens
relay to minify the image and extend the back focal length to allow the inclusion of the
filter changer. However, we felt that the image quality of the 5-lens relay was not
adequate for our present application. A new optical relay was designed, which consists
of 10 lenses including one custom lens. This relay has provided outstanding image
quality in System 7.
In addition to the lens relay, the System 7 WSI uses a Sigma 8mm f4 fisheye lens
as the primary lens. This lens has an approximately 180 degree field of view, so that it
images the full upper hemisphere. The optical relay minifies and transfers the image to
the CCD chip such that the complete circular image falls within the chip. A 2-wheel
nger allows the user to place spectral or neutral density filters or polarizers in the
light path. The optical relay is designed such that all rays enter the filters at an angle of
incidence of less than 5 degrees, in order to minimize spectral shifting.
TL
The image is acquired using a SenSys KAF 1600 12 bit digital low noise camera,
with a Scientific Grade 1 1536 x 1024 pixel array. This camera is manufactured by
Photometrics (now Roper Scientific). The readout noise is less than 1 count, such that
the camera has a full 12 bit dynamic range. The chip is cooled to 10 degrees C. The
round image is nearly centered on the array, and the automated WSI code acquires a 980
x 980 subset on the chip.
A photograph of the optical system is shown in Fig. 2-1. At the top of the system
is the fisheye lens in its lens shroud. The upper part of the optical relay is below it, and
the larger flat surface is part of the filter changer. This is followed by the lower part of
the optical relay, and the camera. An optical stack drawing is shown in Fig. 2-2. This
stack drawing shows the optics and camera, without the filter changer.
The optical filters selected by the sponsor are listed in Table 2.1. The automated
control program, RunWSI, allows the user to select between the spectral options shown
in Table 2.2.
Page 6
2.2
The Equatorial Occultor
The solar occultor is an equatorially driven device that is designed to prevent
direct solar illumination from falling upon the camera fisheye lens. T
the lens prevents undesirable stray light from entering the optical system and biasing the
imagery collected by the camera. The equatorial occultor is shown in Fig. 2-3.
The occultor, or more accurately, attenuator, is designed to go to the sun's
position automatically during the 12 hours surrounding local apparent noon (LAN). The
axis of the occultor is adjustable, and is set to the latitude of the site. Because it is an
equatorial drive, it rotates about this axis, moving 15° per hour, and is directly overhead
(90° occultor angle) at LAN. At LAN 16 hours, the occultor angle is on 180. In the
winter, this angle places the flag below the horizon, and in summer it is above the horizon
at LAN +6. If sunset occurs after LAN + 6, the occultor will remain in fixed position, but
will still mostly block the sun. (It was designed to work from LAN -6 to LAN +6, but at
the sponsor's request, we have programmed it to run longer.) Following the end of the
day, the occultor resets itself to the next morning's start position.
There is no automatic adjustment to compensate for the systematic drift that
naturally occurs in solar declination with the changes in the season. This necessary
adjustment is accomplished manually by periodically replacing the occultor support arm.
It is changed approximately every 2.5 weeks in spring and fall, and every 2.5 months in
summer and winter. A schedule for changing the arm is given in Section 5.
The occultor flag is a 4 log neutral density filter. The sun position can normally
be seen through this filter on a clear day, enabling checking of camera alignment to
vertical and true north. The flag extends 14.9 degrees from the sun, and covers 4.3% of
the 2n solid angle of the upper hemisphere.
2.3
Accessory Control Panel
The Accessory Control Panel (ACP) provides position readout and control for the
filter changer and the solar occultor. It is designed to allow either computer or local
control. In the computer mode, the filter changer and occultor are controlled by the
computer software written by MPL; in the local mode, they are controlled by the operator
using the switches on the front of the ACP. The ACP is shown in Fig. 2-4. The ACP
provides position readouts both to the computer and to the front panel. The interior of the
ACP is shown in Fig. 2-6. In this illustration, the top third of the housing holds the
fisheye lens, upper lens table, and filter changer. The second third holds the lower lens
tube and the camera. The lower third allows room for the cable pigtails which convert
from standard connectors to environmental connectors.
The "Local Enable" switch shown in the center of the panel in Fig. 2-4 allows
interactive access to the ACP. When this switch is set to “Off”, the computer will have
control of the ACP. With it set to “On”, either the computer or the user will have control,
Page 7
depending on how the “Computer/Local” switches are set. The occultor can be either
driven continuously or pulsed, either forward or reverse, depending on the use of the
switches on the front panel. The ACP can drive either filter wheel in either direction,
using the switches on the front panel.
2.4
Camera Housing
The camera housing is an o-ring-sealed chamber which houses the camera and
optical system. It can be purged with dry nitrogen, and the pressure monitored. In this
way, the optics can be kept clean and dry. It is normally pressurized to approximately 5
psi (or 3.4 104 pascal). The camera housing is shown in Fig. 2-6. In this illustration, the
third of the housing holds the fisheye lens, upper lens tube, and filter changer. The
second third holds the lower lens tube and the camera. The lower third allows room for
the cable pigtails which convert from standard connectors to environmental connectors.
2.5
Environmental Housing
The environmental housing is the external housing which holds the camera
housing and the camera's power supply (sometimes called power brick). The housing is
insulated, temperature regulated, and provides protection against rain. It includes a
1500/1800 BTU cooler with a 500 watt heater to keep the camera at approximately fixed
temperature, for longer life and stability. This also ensures that the camera chip can be
maintained at its 10 degree C set point. The CCD chip is cooled by a thermo-electric
cooler, and the hot side of the TE cooler is cooled by conduction to the outside of the
camera housing. The environmental housing is maintained near 15 or 21 degrees C at the
user's option. (The cooler is currently set for 21 C, however in cooler climates, the user
may wish to lower the thermostat to lower levels.) The environmental housing also
includes leveling legs, to enable aligning of the WSI field of view, and tie-down
hardware. The environmental housing is shown in Fig. 2-7.
It should perhaps be noted that we normally prefer to use white powder-coat
aluminum housings. With this WSI, the sponsor preferred that we budget for a less
sophisticated housing. We used UV inhibited ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
as the housing material. While we feel that the resulting housing is adequate, we may
find that it has fewer years of longevity. It may be necessary to replace it in the future,
either with the same material or with an upgraded housing.
2.6
Computer Control Hardware and Software
The computer is a Dell Optiplex GX1p, operating in a Windows NT environment.
The CPU is a Pentium II running at 450 mHZ with 128 MB of RAM. The system
includes a CDROM, a floppy drive, and a 3COM Ethernet card. Additional peripherals
which have been added are a Digital IO card with 72 IO ports, the Photometrics camera
control card, an Adaptec SCSI card for interfacing with external archival devices, and a
Hopf GPS card for acquiring accurate time and location. The hardware control system is
shown in Fig. 2-8 and data control is illustrated in Fig. 2-9.
Page 8
Photometrics supplies the V++ image acquisition and processing software system
with the SenSys cameras. The automated and interactive WSI control software were
designed by MPL. They run within the V++ environment. The MPL code uses scripts to
control the camera, and also uses DLLs to bring in C routines such as those required to
compute sun angle and control occultor position and control the filter changer. Other
MPL-specific routines include the flux control logic for determining the exposure to use,
and the logic for applying the radiometric calibrations to the raw data to yield absolute
radiance. The software is discussed in Section 4.
Table 2.1
Optical Filters in the Filter Changer
Upper Wheel
Name
Nominal Description
AWN
Open
Red
Blue
Pol #1
Open Hole
650 nm peak, with 70 nm passband
450 nm peak, with 70 nm passband
Polarizer (linear)
Lower Wheel
Name
Nominal Description
AWN
Open
Pol #2
BG39
RG850
Open Hole
Cross Polarizer (linear)
Blue-green, 518 nm peak with 278 nm passband
NIR long-pass filter,approximately 850 - 1070 nm
Table 2.2
Filter Wheel Setting Options
Option
Name
Upper Position
Lower Position
Open
Red
Blue
Pol #1
Pol #2
BG39
RG850
A WNA

Page 9
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Figure 2-1. System 7 WSI Optical System. From top to bottom are the fisheye lens,
relay optics, filter changer, additional relay optics and camera.
Page 10
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Figure 2-2. Optical Stack Drawing, showing the optics (filter
changer is not included in the drawing), camera, and housing.
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Page 11
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Figure 2-3 Solar Occultor. This equatorial occultor provides stray light control for the
WSI. In the illustration it is shown mounted on the upper half of the camera housing.

Page 12
On/Off switch
OCCULTOR CONTROL
WSI ACCESSORY CONTROL PANEL
FILTER CHANGER CONTROL
FRIERWER
SELECT
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Local Enable
Figure 2-4. Accessory Control Panel (ACP). This unit provides readout and control of
the filter changer and solar occultor. It is designed to allow either computer or local
control.

Page 13
606-6403-1012
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Figure 2-5. Accessory Control Panel Interior, showing the power supply and printed
circuit boards.

Page 14
Figure 2-6. WSI Camera Housing (with occultor).

Page 15
Figure 2-7. WSI Environmental Housing.

Page 16
Figure 2-8. Computer and Monitor used to control the WSI
Page 17
Figure 2-9 Schematic of the
WSI System 7 Data Control
Exterior Sensor
Interior Controller

Dell Trinitron
Monitor
Photometrics
Sen Sys 1600
12-bit CCD
Camera
Digital
Dell Optiplex
Gxip Computer
Remote
Control
Optical
Filter Changer
Assembly
Photometrics
Camera Ctrl Card
Digital I0 Card
PCD1072B-P
GPS Antenna
Remote
Control
Equatorial
Solar
Occultor
Analog
Hopf GPS Card
To User Archival
Adaptec
SCSI Card
Digital (72 Port)
To User Network
Analog
3COM
Ethernet Card
Accessory
Control Panel
Page 18
3.
Operating the System 7 WSI
The WSI was installed at the Potsdam DWD site by MPL staff. Setup
instructions are provided in Technical Memorandum AV00-002t. The setup instructions
include an initial power-up sequence to use when the instrument is first deployed or
under evaluation. This Operating Manual will only include normal procedures for
routine operation of the instrument which may be used subsequent to its initialization
period.
The following sections provide the normal power up and power down sequences.
Instructions for operating the software are provided in Section 4.
3.1
Power Up Sequence
a) If this is the first time that the WSI has been run in awhile, go on the roof, remove
the dome cover, and inspect the WSI and occultor to verify that everything
appears normal.
b) We anticipate that the cooler/heater will be left on continuously. If it is not on, or
if the user is not certain whether it is on, verify that it is plugged in on the roof.
c) We anticipate that the transformer, which supplies 115 V to the camera and ACP,
will be left plugged in continuously. If it is not, plug it in on its 5th floor location.
d) Plug the camera cable and the ACP power cable into the transformer output. The
camera is normally left with its on/off switch in the on mode, so plugging in the
power should turn the camera on.
e) In the 3rd floor room, verify that the ribbon cables are attached from the ACP to
the computer. Turn on the ACP on/off switch at the back right corner of the ACP,
as shown in Fig. 2-4. For automated use, verify that the “Local Enable" switch is
set to “Off”.
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f) We anticipate that the computer and monitor will be left plugged into the power
source continuously. If not, plug them in.
g) Turn on the monitor by pushing the square button on the right hand side front of
the monitor as shown in Fig. 3-1.
h) Turn on the computer by pushing the Power Button (the upper of the two circular
buttons) as shown in Fig. 3-1. The computer will ask you to boot the system by
entering the "Ctrl", “Alt”, and “Del” keys simultaneously. It will then ask for a
password, which has currently been left blank. Press "Enter" which will enter a
blank password. The computer should bring up V++. At this point, you may use
the programs as described in Section 4.
Page 19
i) If desired, verify GPS operation by clicking on “Hopf GPS” on the task bar at the
bottom of the monitor screen using the mouse. This should show the time, date,
and GPS status. To exit this screen, click on “V++” on the task bar.
3.2
Power Down Sequence
Power Down
When you are through running the WSI, the following power-down sequence may be
used.
a) If RunWSI is still running, exit the program by pushing either “End” key on the
keyboard once, and waiting for it to respond. It may take a minute or more to
respond, depending on what part of the sequence the program is in.
b) Exit V++ by clicking on the “X” in the upper right corner of the monitor, as
shown in Fig. 3-2.
c) Close down the clock by clicking on "hopf PCI radio clock” and clicking on
“exit”.
d) Click on the "Start" button, and then select "Shut Down”, as shown in Fig. 3-3,
then confirm shut-down as shown in Fig. 3-4. Wait until the computer indicates
that it can be turned off, and turn off the computer by pushing the upper round
button on the computer, as shown in Fig. 3-1.
e) Turn off the monitor by pushing the button on the right hand side of the front
panel, as shown in Fig. 3-1.
f)
Turn off the ACP by pressing the on/off toggle switch on the back right corner, as
shown in Fig. 2-4.
g) Go to the 5th floor, and unplug the power cord for the camera and ACP. This will
turn the camera off.
h) If the instrument will not be run for a day or more, go to the roof and replace the
dome cover. The air conditioner is designed for continuous operation. We
recommend that it be left on, as we feel this will provide better protection for the
power brick against moisture (by keeping it above dewpoint temperature in the
winter time) and temperature changes.

Page 20
wwwwww
Computer Power
Reboot
Monitor Power
Figure 3-1. Power and Reboot Button on Computer and Monitor.

Page 21
Press X button to close V++
Ele Edit Iools Camera User Window Help
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Figure 3-2. Monitor display in V++ showing the ‘X'key to use for exiting the program

Page 22
6
My Computer
Network
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Inbox
Programs
Documents
Settings
Windows NT Workstation
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Help
Shutdown Button
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Shut Down...
Start
4:13 PM
Figure 3-3. Monitor Display to request ShutDown, showing the “Start" button and “ShutDown”.

Page 23
y C
urte:
Choose ShutDown
Shut Down Windows
Are you sure you want to:
Shut down the computer?
Restart the computer?
Close all programs and log on as a different user?
EXO
CORONALDSOMLOORS
Yes
No
Help
stand
artiot > Pisteet
Figure 3-4. Monitor Display to confirm ShutDown, showing the “ShutDown” query.
Page 24
4.
Running the WSI Software
There are three primary modes of operation of the WSI. These are Automated
mode, Interactive mode, and V++ mode. The primary features of these modes are shown
in Table 4.1. It should be noted that in Automated mode (Secn 4.1 – 4.2), output files are
saved to D:\IMAGES. In interactive mode (Secn. 4.3), output files are saved in
C:\IMAGES. In V++ mode (Secn 4.4), output files are saved in C:\PROGRAM
FILES\DIGITAL OPTICSIV++\EXECUTABLE.
4.1
Automated Mode Input File, Run WSI.ini
In the automated mode, the program Run WSI controls the WSI. This program is
documented in Tech Memo AV00-033t. The main user inputs are given in the file
Run WSI.ini. There are additional input files that are not normally altered by the user.
The Run WSI.ini input file is shown in Fig. 4-1. This file is heavily commented;
comment lines begin with #. Only entries after the "=" should be altered. Most of the
entries are self-explanatory, however a few additional comments may be useful.
The latitude and longitude are set on delivery. After start-up, the latitude and
longitude are read from the GPS (Global Position System). The input values are the
default if the GPS is not used.
The start and end date and time should be updated, and the continuous variable,
which is described in the input file, should be set. If desired, the start date can be set to a
date in the past, and the end date set to a date a few weeks in the future, and the start and
end times set to 00:00 and 24:00. With these settings, and the instrument will run
continuously whenever it is started.
The flux control calculation interval should normally be set to no more than 10
minutes. This interval determines the frequency with which the WSI checks whether its
present exposure levels (determined by the flux control algorithm) are appropriate. If the
flux control calculation interval is too long, then the images may be overexposed or
underexposed due to changes in the optical environment.
There are a total of 7 filter selections, or grab options, as listed in Section 2.1. In
the section of the input table starting with “[Grab Option 1]”, the user indicates whether or
not to acquire each grab option with a 1 or 0. This section on the input file has been left
generic, in case the user changes the filters in the filter wheel. To grab all options, set all
options to l; for faster data acquisition, grab only selected filters. The filters
corresponding to these grab options at the time of delivery are listed in Table 2.2 in
Section 2.
The last section of entries in the input file provides the locations of up to 10
Regions of Interest (ROI). It was originally intended that this be used in the data
Page 25
processing. Since the data processing is now done by a separate program, the
are not used in this program.
To edit the input file, after V++ opens, click on “File”. At the start of V++, V++
is in the default directory C:\program files\digital optics v++lexecutabi
is the directory shown, and then double click on the “Run WSI.ini" file. A window comes
up that says "Unknown Format". Select Text format by clicking on the “Text Files
(*.txt)” line and then click on “OK”. After editing the text file, save it by double clicking
on “Save”. A copy of the original Run WSI input file, as delivered, will be saved in
Run WSI.MPL for comparison.
4.2
Running in Automated Mode, Program Run WSI
Once the Run WSI input file is set appropriately, the ACP should be set in
computer mode, i.e. with the “Local/Computer" switches in "Computer" and the “Local
Enable" switch in “Off” mode.
To verify the camera settings, click on the V++ “Camera" menu option and verify
that the settings are as indicated in Table 4.2.
To run in the automated mode, click on “User” within the V++ menu, then click
on “RunWSI”. If the current time is less than the start time, the program will initialize
the camera, occultor, and filter changer, and then start at the start time. If the current
time is after the start time, there will be an initial 5 minute wait to allow the occultor to
move as far as it needs to. During the initial period, the program may show the
following messages:
Waiting for start date...
Moving occultor to: XXX
Computing initial exposure...
Setting up filter changer... - shown when fc is setup for next image grab
Waiting for start time: XXXX - shown for first grab
Once the initial setup or wait period is over, it will complete the following steps:
Initiating image acquisition...
Image acquisition in progress..
Acquiring dark images...
Preparing images for display...
Archiving images...
Preparing for next grab...
Moving occultor to: XXX
Computing new exposure... -only if flux control is enabled for this grab
Setting up filter changer... - shown when fc is setup for next image grab
Waiting for grab at: XXXX
en44
Page 26
These steps will be repeated until sunset arrives, the end time arrives, or the user
exits by pushing either “End” key on the keyboard. Messages which may be displayed
under these occurrences include:
Waiting for midnight...
Finished waiting for midnight
Exiting program
A typical screen display during Run WSI is shown in Fig. 4-2. The RunWSI
Program logic is shown in Fig. 4-3.
Although V++ is designed to allow the user to use V++ features during the wait
period, we do not recommend doing this. V++ does not appear to be sufficiently robust
to handle the multi-tasking. We recommend letting the program run autonomously.
If for some reason a user error causes V++ to fail (or it fails for some other
reason), it may fail to save the Run WSI compiled program within V++. That is, when the
operator clicks on “User”, “RunWSI may no longer be shown as an option. However, the
RunWSI source code is saved as a file. This file can be recompiled and the program
reinstalled in V++ using a simple procedure described in Tech Memo AV99-053t.
4.3
The Interactive Program, WSInteractive
The interactive program, WSInteractive, was designed to allow the user greater
flexibility in operation of the WSI, however it requires that the user be present. This
program asks the user to set the desired filter combination on the ACP in “Local”. For
this, the ACP “Local Enable” must be set to “On”, and the “Local/Computer" switches
must be set to “Local” (See Fig. 2-4). Next, the program asks the user to enter the
exposure desired.
Normally, in the red filter, 100 m sec is a good starting point during most of the
day. Most of the other filters can use the same exposure as the red filter. The exceptions
are the open hole, blue, and BG39, which require exposures of about 0.1, 10, and .25
times the red exposure.
* TAYYPITY
PUTTY
The program then allows the user to move the occultor using the ACP in “Local”
mode. Either the "Fwd” or “Rev” switch can be set in “Drive" to move the occultor (but
do not put both switches in “Drive” simultaneously). The switch should be returned to
the neutral position when the occultor is in the desired position. During this time, the
image is continuously updated, so that the user can see when the occultor shades the sun.
The user can then enter a new exposure, and the image is grabbed, and saved if desired.
The user can also use the V++ features to evaluate the image at the end of the sequence.
The overall logic of this program is shown in Fig. 4-4.
Page 27
4.4
Running under V++
Although both Run WSI and WSInteractive operate within the V++ environment,
it is also possible to operate the camera directly with V++ features. First, use the ACP in
"Local” mode to set the desired filter combination and occultor setting as described in
up the V++ program for image acquisition, click on "Camera”, then
set the desired exposure by editing “time” (See Fig. 4-5). Verify that the Exposure type
is set to “Normal”. Click on “Properties”, then on “Shutter”, and verify that the shutter is
set to “Pre-exposure”. Click on "Apply" and then “Close”. Then click on “Acquire” to
acquire the image. Image acquisition size may be controlled also with this dialog box.
Click on “List" to see image size options and add image size options, then click on the
ROI arrow and select the "Selected ROI” option.
.
.
V++ includes many image processing features, such as the examples shown in
Fig. 4-6, to allow image zoom, enhancement, windowing, and mathematical image
processing functions. For example, "Zoom” may be accessed either by clicking on the
“Size” menu, or by clicking on the icon which looks like a magnifying glass. By pressing
the shift key on the keyboard, the images may be zoomed smaller.
..
Also, by clicking on the icon which looks like a box with an arrow, the user may
define a ROI. Then, by clicking on “Intensity” and then “Statistics”, one can see
statistics such as the average signal within the ROI. Other features include histograms
and plots, false color, addition or subtraction of images, and image processing such as
application of the Fourier transform.
It should be noted that if you acquire a dark image or bias image, by setting
Exposure type to “Dark” or “Bias”, then when you wish to take another normal image, it
is necessary to set Exposure type to “Normal” and also reset Shutter to “Pre-exposure”.
The shutter does not automatically set itself back to “Pre-exposure” unless you tell it to.
Run WSI verifies that "Normal" is used.
Although there is no hard copy document on V++, there is extensive on-line
documentation that is somewhat helpful. Also, the beginning section of the PVCAM
Reference Manual is somewhat helpful. At MPL, we have gained some experience in the
recent months, and are happy to help.
4.5
Additional WSI Programs
Probably the most useful test program for the user is RealTimeGRAB. This
program grabs and displays repeated images. It is useful for general testing, for example
when testing the filter changer. In this program, there is a delay of approximately 2
seconds between acquisition and display. This delay is due to the chip readout time, and
it depends on image size and readout rate selected.
Program DIOTEST is useful for testing the Digital IO card's ability to sense the
filter and occultor position and to change them.
Page 28
Program ReadHeader can be used to read the embedded header in an image. It
will ask for the image name.
Program WSI Post Process processes the data to yield cloud fraction and sky
radiance distributions, as well as information for specific Regions of Interest. This
program is documented in Tech Memo AV00-032t.
Program RadtoFloat converts radiance images from floating point “tif” format to
floating point text format.
Program ReadProcHeader reads the headers on processed images.
Any of these programs may be set up to show in the “User” menu, as discussed in
Tech Memo AV99-053t.
Table 4.1
Primary Software Modes for WSI Operation
Run WSI
Runs Autonomously (without Operator)
Continuous Operation
Controls FC and Occ
Flux Control Sets Exposure
Displays Windowed Images
Saves images automatically with image headers
Input file used to select options
WSInteractive
Run by Operator
Asks Operator to set FC and Occ, reads back position
from ACP
Shows “live” image during Occ set
Asks user to select exposure
Displays windowed images
Asks User whether to save files, saves with image
headers
V++
Run by Operator
Program is “unaware” of FC and Occ Position, user must
set using ACP
Exposure must be selected
Window must be selected
Full flexibility in grab options
Images may be saved, but there are no headers
Page 29
Table 4.2
Normal V++ Camera Settings for Program RunWSI
Exposure Menu:
Time: (Varies)
Mode: Timed Mode
Type: Normal
Frames: 1
Properties Menu:
Speed Table:
Gain Index: 2
Shutter:
Open Delay: 5 msec
Close Delay: 10 msec
Open Mode: Pre-Exposure
CCD Parameters:
ADC Offset: 6100
Clear Count: 2
Clearing Mode: Pre Exposure
CCD Clocking: Normal
Page 30
Figure 4-1. RunWSI.ini, the primary input file
os
# This is the input file for the automated WSI data acquisition
# program RunWSI.
# All lines preceded by a "#" are comment lines.
# Please do not change text located within brackets [].
# Only change data located to the right of the equal sign.
# For all options listed below:1 = yes, 0 = no
(WSI Location]
#If GPS is present, the GPS lat. and long.,
#will override the lat. and long. entered here.
#Use - for West longitude, + for East longitude
WSILat=32.7
WSILon=-117.2
[WSI Start date and time]
# For date use the following format: dd/mm/yyyy,
#where dd is day, mm is month and yyyy is four digit year
# Use GPS time for start time
# For acquisition during full daylight hours,
# use a start time of 00:00, and end time of 24:00.
# Use of Day 1 Special variable: If Continuous = 1, then first day
# of acquisition will begin at specified start time. The remaining
# acquisition days will begin at sunrise and end at sunset.
# If Continuous = 0, then the specified start and stop times will be
# used for entire acquisition period.
StartDate=11/1/1999
StartTime=14:00
Continuous=1
(WSI End date and time)
# For date use the following format: dd/mm/yyyy,
# where dd is day, mm is month and yyyy is four digit year
# Use GPS time for end time
# For acquisition during full daylight hours,
# use a start time of 00:00, and end time of 24:00
EndDate=11/31/1999
EndTime=3:00
[Time Step in minutes)
# If 0 is used for the time step, images will be grabbed
# as quickly as possible
# Maximum time step is 60 minutes
TimeStep=1
Page 31
Fig. 4-1 cont.
[Flux control calculation interval in minutes]
# 0 minutes indicates no flux calculation
# Maximum flux control calculation interval is 60 minutes
# Optimal data will be obtained if this is set the same
# as the TimeStep value.
FluxInt=10
[Grab Option 1]
# Grab Image with Wheel 1 at Pos 1, Wheel 2 at Pos 1
GrabOption1=1
[Grab Option2]
# Grab Image with Wheel 1 at Pos 2, Wheel 2 at Pos 1
GrabOption2=1
(Grab Option3]
# Grab Image with Wheel 1 at Pos 3, Wheel 2 at Pos 1
GrabOption3=1
(Grab Option4]
# Grab Image with Wheel 1 at Pos 4, Wheel 2 at Pos 1
GrabOption4=1
[Grab Option5]
# Grab Image with Wheel 1 at Pos 1, Wheel 2 at Pos 2
GrabOption5=1
[Grab Option6]
# Grab Image with Wheel 1 at Pos 1, Wheel 2 at Pos 3
GrabOption=1
[Grab Option7]
# Grab Image with Wheel 1 at Pos 1, Wheel 2 at Pos 4
GrabOption=1
[Images to display during wait]
# For the RedImage option, if Red image is not grabbed
#it will not be displayed.
DisplayRedImage=1
Display AllRawImagesGrabbed=1
Display AllProcessedImages=0
DisplayROIResults=0
Page 32
Fig. 4-1 cont.
[Calibration Constants)
# These constants should only be changed by trained personnel
Cl=1.3e2
C2=2.3e-2
C3=1.4e3
C4=1.3
C5=32.2
C6=1.02e-4
C7=1.05e-5
[Processing Requirements]
ProcesstoCloud=0
ProcessforAbsolute Radiance=0
ApplyLUTtoCloudImages=0
[ROI Definitions]
#Maximum number of ROI definitions is 10
NumberofROIs=5
# There are 10 ROIs defined below. Only the Number of ROIS
# listed in the "NumberofROIS" entry above will be used.
[ROI number 1]
Theta=32
Phi-45
HalfAngle=23
[ROI number 2]
Theta=32
Phi=50
HalfAngle=23
[ROI number 3]
Theta=32
Fig. 4-1 cont.
Phi=80
HalfAngle=23
[ROI number 4]
Theta=132
Phi=80
HalfAngle=23
Page 33
Fig. 4-1 cont.
[ROI number 5]
Theta=232
Phi=80
HalfAngle=23
[ROI number 6]
Theta=34
Phi=80
HalfAngle=23
(ROI number 7]
Theta=32
Phi=80
HalfAngle=53
[ROI number 8]
Theta=32
Phi=90
HalfAngle=23
[ROI number 9]
Theta=32
Phi=80
HalfAngle=25
[ROI number 10]
Theta=132
Phi=10
HalfAngle=23

Page 34
COX
Filter
Sequence
File Edit View Intensity Color Geonetry Wath
È Q9,82 X o o aj
Red Image
Analyze
v
Tool: Camera Window Help
30 06 9 0
Red Image Wedſunsigned 16-bri 930 2:380x1
4 59. I Frame 0
Watna lo grab at 1615
Figure 4-2. Typical Monitor Display during Program Run WSI.
Page 35
Figure 4-3
RunWSI Program Logic
Read input file for:
Initial Lat./Long
Acquisition schedule
Start date/time
End date/time
Grab interval
Operation mode (Sunrise to Sunset, Continuous or User start
15 day, User end on last day)
Flux control interval
Filter selection schedule (Options 1-7)
Open
Red
Blue
Pol #1
Pol #2
BG39
RG850
Images to display during wait
Display red image only
All raw images
All processed images
ROI results
Calibration constants
Processing requirements
Process to cloud
Process for absolute radiance
Apply LUT to Cloud images
ROI definitions (max. number of ROIS = 10)
Theta
Phi
Half Angle
Setup instrument for initial image acquisition
Determine start/end, date/time
Move occultor to proper position
Determine initial flux control from file
Set exposure according to flux control
Position filter changer for first grab
Repeat
Grab images according to filter selection schedule
Process images according to processing requirements
Display user selected images during wait for next grab
Archive images
Page 36
Fig. 4-3 cont.
Determine next grab time and if it's time to wait or stop
If it's not time to wait or stop then
Setup instrument for image acquisition
Move occultor to proper position
Determine flux control if necessary
Set exposure according to flux control
Position filter changer for next grab
If it's time to Wait
Wait for midnight then
Determine next day's start/end time
Move occultor to proper position
Determine initial flux control from file
Set exposure according to flux control
Position filter changer for first grab
If it's time to stop then stop
If it's not time to stop then wait until time for next grab
Until End time or User exit
Page 37
Figure 4-4
WSInteractive Program Logic
The steps of this program are listed below. The entries in italics are commands given to
the user.
Repeat -
Setup filter changer. Press OK when finished
Read filter changer positions
Enter Exposure level in milliseconds:
Read Exposure
Set Exposure
Press OK to begin occultor setup, then when finished press any key.
Do real time grab while occultor position is updated by user. Stop when user presses
a key
Enter Exposure level in milliseconds:
Read Exposure
Set Exposure
Grab image
Save this image?
if yes:
Ask for filename prefix
Create header
Save image
if no:
Allow user to manipulate image. Press <DEL> key when finished
Until UserExit

Page 38
COT
Eile Edit
Iools Camera Window Help
9,3 % @ OA
8 10 )
IN
#CO.
8 6
Exposure
Camera 1
Exposure
Time: 1491
r Region of Interest
Full CCD
RES
List...
Mode:
Timed
Type:
Normal
Acquire
Abort
Focus
www
Frames:
Properties..,
Close
wwwwwwwwwwwww
Start
CaptureEze Pro Screen.bmp
3:58 PM
Figure 4-5. The Camera Dialog Box in V++.

Page 39
Zoom Tool
zoom Toll
ROI Tool
Rol Tool
Windowing Tool
Windowing Tool
200
Elle Edit View Intensity Color Geome ho dots Elter analyze Sequence
EQ, 8 ** bo og V
CalImage computed using index range notation.tif
Inel: Camera Window Help
o liš O
Lalmage compuled using index lange notatiort Sinole (32 bt 980 9801
4 57,
Fiame
Figure 4-6. Additional V++ Feature Selection Buttons.
Page 40
5.
Routine Maintenance
This section provides the safety precautions, and the routine maintenance. The
routine maintenance consists of the following steps, which are detailed in Section 5.2.
a) Visually inspect the WSI system and clean the dome on program start-up
b) Change the occultor arms periodically as discussed in Secn. 5.2.
c) Open the environmental housing, and inspect the camera housing and camera
power brick, and note the camera housing purge pressure and temperature
monthly.
d) Inspect the air conditioner monthly, and change the air conditioner filter as
required.
e) Test the ACP and verify the occultor alignment monthly.
f) Verify the computer and program operation monthly.
5.1
Safety Precautions
The first note below is to protect the operator. The remaining notes are to protect
the equipment.
Normally, there is no need to remove the cover of the ACP. If the cover is
removed, it should be removed with the power off, due to the live AC inside the chassis.
It is always recommended that the user turn off power to the system before
disconnecting or connecting any of the cables.
The camera should not be connected or disconnected from the computer while the
camera or computer are powered up. First shut down the computer as instructed in
Section 3.2 Steps a - c, and then turn off power to the camera by unplugging the camera
power cord on the 5th floor or by turning off the toggle switch on the camera power brick
in the environmental housing. Then you may disconnect the camera cable from the
computer.
In the event that the user desires to disconnect the ACP from the computer and
operate it independently, the ACP and computer must be turned off before the ribbon
cables are removed. Then the occultor shorting plug must be installed on the back of the
ACP on the occultor ribbon cable jack, as shown in Fig. 5-1, prior to turning on or using
the ACP. It should only be used on the occultor output, 7700-01-P5, not on P4.
Do not realign the occultor arm without loosening the four set screws. The
location of these set screws is identified in Fig. 5-2.
Before the computer is turned off, all programs and windows should be closed
and the computer operating system (Windows NT) should always be shut down before
the computer is turned off. These procedures are noted in Section 3.2 Steps a-c. If for
Page 41
some reason the computer hangs and a clean shut down (or start up) cannot be
accomplished, do a soft reboot by pressing the lower round button as shown in Fig. 3-1.
Always keep a backup of the system programs. A backup of the operating system
and programs which were provided by the Dell manufacturer were provided with the
instrument. A backup of Photometrics' V++ should be created by the user. A backup of
the initial versions of the WSI code, written by MPL, was also provided.
5.2
Maintenance Procedures
1. Visually inspect the system and clean the dome on program start-up. The
dome may be cleaned with distilled water and a clean cloth. Avoid
rubbing the dome hard or pressing hard on it. On visual inspection, note
anything that appears abnormal. The dome should be reasonably free of
craze marks. The dome should be covered with the dome cover when not
in use for periods of a day or more. The occultor arm should be free of
debris and not flopping around. The air conditioner/heater should sound
normal. If the WSI is run continuously for periods of days, it is helpful to
clean the dome daily.
2. Change the occultor arms periodically. There are 7 arms of different
length. The arm should be removed, the Occultor flag (ND filter and
frame) placed on the new arm, and the arm replaced. This may be done
during the evening on the dates indicated in the occultor arm schedule
illustrated in Fig. 5-3 and listed in Table 5.1. The arm may be changed
following the instructions listed in Table 5.2a.
3. Open the environmental housing, and inspect the camera housing and
camera power brick, and note the camera housing purge pressure and
temperature monthly. We also recommend doing this initially after the
first storm. To inspect the camera housing, remove the environmental
housing front cover. Inspect the environmental housing and camera
housing for abnormalities. Verify that the camera power brick is clean
and reasonably dry. Remove the cap from the pressure valve on the
camera housing, and check the camera pressure. It may need to be re-
filled with dry nitrogen or dry air approximately monthly. If dew begins
to form on the inside of the camera housing dome, it is necessary to
remove the lower portion of the camera housing, which is called the cable
housing, and remove and replace the packets of desiccant. The use of
pressurized dry nitrogen or dry air is not strictly necessary; it is used as an
indicator that the camera housing seal is reasonably good, and alert the
user if there is a problem with the seal. However, optical filters will age
more slowly if dry nitrogen is used, and it is important to keep a clean dry
environment inside the housing. When inspecting the environmental
housing, if you note significant amounts of standing water, it may be
necessary to improve the seal of the housing by finding the source of the
Page 42
leak and sealing with RTV. To check the camera housing inner
temperature, use the temperature cable, and measure the resistance across
the two leads. The temperature may be determined from Table 5.3. . '
4. Inspect the air conditioner/heater monthly while the environmental
housing cover is off. Verify that the temperature in the housing seems
reasonable, and that the heater or cooler come on as the temperature
changes. On the outside of the environmental housing, remove the large
metal louver, and then remove the plastic louver inside by sliding it up.
Inspect the air conditioner filter, and replace it if necessary.
5. Test the ACP and verify the occultor alignment monthly. To test the ACP,
end the program by pressing the “End" key on the keyboard and waiting
until the program ends. Turn the “Local Enable” knob shown in Fig. 2-4
from “Off” to “On”, and set both “Local/Computer” switches to “Local”.
Push the “Step" button to exercise the filter changer, using the “Up/Down"
switch to select direction and the “Select” switch to select filter wheel. If
desired, you can observe the images by running the “RealTimeGRAB”
program, as indicated in Section 4.5. Next, exercise the occultor by
pushing up either the fwd drive switch or the reverse drive switch (but not
both simultaneously). The occultor moves very slowly, moving
approximately 35 degrees per minute. Using forward or reverse, move the
occultor to 90 degrees readout on the ACP. Verify that the arm is centered
in the image, or go on the roof and verify that the arm is centered
overhead. If it is not, adjust as described in Table 5.2b. Please do not
adjust the occultor arm without loosening the set screws shown in Fig. 2-3.
Return both “Local/Computer” switches to “Computer", and return the
“Local Enable” knob to “Off”. Restart the program by clicking on “User”
and then “RunWSI”.
6. Verify computer and program operation monthly. Verify that the image
on the screen appears normal. Verify that the program appears to be
going through all of its steps, as documented in Section 4.2, and there are
no error messages. At present, these repeated steps are:
Waiting for grab at: XXXX
*Initiating image acquisition...
Image acquisition in progress...
Acquiring dark images...
Preparing images for display...
Creating image headers...
Archiving images...
*Preparing for next grab...
Moving occultor to: XXX
Computing new exposure... -only if flux control is enabled for this grab
*Setting up filter changer... - shown when fc is setup for next image grab
* These messages may appear briefly or not at all.
-
Page 43
-
TABLE 5.1
Occultor Arm Replacement Dates

Date
Remove Arm No.
Install Arm No.
9 Nov
2 Feb
22 Feb
12 Mar
29 Mar
16 Apr
7 May
6 Aug
27 Aug
14 Sep
1 Oct
19 Oct
9 Nov
TABLE 5.2
Occultor Arm Replacement and Alignment Steps
5.2a
Occultor Arm Replacement
1.
Insert 3/32" allen wrench (UCSD/MPL provided) into each of two 10-32
X 3/8" attenuator arm retaining set screws, and loosen each about one
turn.
Lift arm from slotted drive disc.
a
mi
Remove square attenuator frame from arm by loosening two 4-40
attachment screws.
Attach square attenuator frame to newly selected attenuator arm. Assure
that arm and frame mate flat-to-flat. Tighten 4-40 screws securely.
ť
si
Insert newly selected attenuator arm into slotted drive disc, and tighten
both 10-32 allen retaining set screws.
6.
Inspect installation for secure attachment of Frame-to-Arm, and Arm-to-
Disc.
Page 44
Table 5.2 cont.
5.2b
Occultor Adjustment
End the Run WSI program and put the ACP in local mode (see Section 5.2,
step 5).
2.
Using the ACP, move the arm until the ACP readout is 90° (as described
in O.M. Section 5.2, step 5).
1
Loosen all 4 8-32 x1/4” allen retaining set screws using a 5/64” allen
wrench (UCSD/MPL provided). These 4 set screws are accessed from the
outside circumference of the drive disk.
Gently rotate the arm to the 90° position, i.e. directly vertical.
Verify that the ACP is still at 90°, and then tighten the 4 set screws with
the arm at 90°, with the disk near the end of its axis.
6.
If desired, return the ACP to computer mode and restart RunWSI as
documented in Section 5.2, step 5.
Table 5.3
Temperature vs Resistance
of Camera Housing Thermistor
T(°C)
R (k92)
29.49
23.46
18.79
15.13
12.26
10.00
8.19
6.75
5.59
4.65
3.89

Page 45
mo
7700-01-22
770001-13
Moorps
770 01 P4
Place Occultor Shorting Plug here
Figure 5-1. Back of the ACP showing where the Occultor Shorting Plug should be
placed. The shorting plug should be used when the ACP is not connected to the
computer. It should only be used on the occultor output, i.e. 7700-01-P5, not P4.

Page 46
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Figure 5-2. Location of Occultor Retainer set screws and Alignment set screws. Loosen
both retainer set screws before removing the arm. Loosen the four alignment set screws
before aligning the arm.
Page 47

Figure 5-3
Occultor Arm Replacement Schedule
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Page 48
6.
Instrument Products
The data products created by the data acquisition program RunWSI program
consist of dark-corrected images. The program acquires raw images and dark images.
The dark-corrected image is the raw minus dark image. To save archival space, the
sponsor requested that we save only the dark-corrected image. These files are stored in
16 bit TIF format, and are saved in the Images subdirectory of the D: drive.
The filename convention for the saved raw images is yydddhhmmssfffnnn.tif,
where yy is the year, ddd is julian day, hhmmss is time, fff is wavelength specified as
OPN for open, RED for red, BLU for blue, PL1 for poll, PL2 for pol2, BG3 for BG39,
and RG8 for RG850, nnn is "raw" for raw images and “drk” for dark images, and “cor"
for dark-corrected images.
In order to look at the images, the user may click on File, and then click on the
file name, after finding the appropriate directory. Files saved by RunWSI and
WSInteractive are stored in D:\mages. Any of the V++ features, such as “Statistics”,
may be used to evaluate the image. The image may also be exported to another system
for further analysis on other image processing programs.
Program WSIPost Process is designed to process the files. Because the sponsor
desired to acquire large amounts of files (running with short time intervals between grabs
and acquiring all or most filters), it was decided that it was most practical to place this
processing program on a second computer. The processing yields radiance distributions
and opaque cloud cover. For each radiance file processed, there is a calibrated radiance
image file and text file. The image file is a floating point TIF file, with the calibrated
radiances. The calibration text file includes a table of ROI results for each image
processed. The opaque cloud cover is shown in the cloud decision image file, the output
of the cloud decision algorithm. Each pixel is identified as opaque cloud or clear/thin.
The cloud text file lists cloud fraction, including results for the selected ROIs. At the
present time, we are funded to provide the simpler opaque cloud algorithm, with the thin
cloud algorithm as a possibility for the future.
The filename convention for the radiance and cloud files is
yydddhhmmssfffnnn.ttt, where nnn is “RAD” for the processed calibrated radiance and
nnn is "CLD” for the processed cloud decision results. The ttt entry is "tif” for both the
radiance and cloud image, and "txt" for both the radiance and cloud text files. For the
radiance files, the fff section of the file name shows the filter selected, using the same
filter name conventions discussed above. For the cloud files, the fff section is “000",
since there is no single filter associated with the cloud files.
Page 49
7.
Acknowledgements
This Whole Sky Imager was developed by the Atmospheric Optics Group of the
Marine Physical Laboratory at the University of California, San Diego. Individuals
involved in the design include Janet Shields, Richard Johnson, Monette Karr, Jason
Wertz, Justin Baker and Jerry Crum. The system was designed for the Meteorological
Observatory Potsdam of the Deutscher Wetterdienst, in collaboration with Dr. Uwe
Feister and Dr. Klaus Dehne. We appreciate the support of our sponsors and especially
wish to recognize the work of Dr. Feister.
Page 50
8.
References
8.1. General References
Johnson, R.W., Hering, W.S. & Shields , J.E. (1986) Imagery Assessment for the
Determination of Cloud Free Intervals. University of California, San Diego, Scripps
Institution of Oceanography, Visibility Laboratory, Atmospheric Visibility Technical
Note No. 200.
Johnson, R.W., Hering, W.S. & Shields, J.E. (1989) Automated Visibility and Cloud
Cover Measurements with a Solid-State Imaging System. University of California, San
Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Marine Physical Laboratory, SIO 89-7, GL-
TR-89-0061, NTIS No. ADA216906.
Shields, J.E., Koehler, T.L., Karr. M.E. & Johnson, R.W. (1990) Automated Cloud Cover
and Visibility Systems for Real Time Applications. University of California, San Diego,
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Marine Physical Laboratory, Optical Systems
Group Technical Note No. 217.
Shields, J.E., Johnson, R.W. & Koehler, T.L. (1991) Imaging Systems for Automated 24-
Hour Whole Sky Cloud Assessment and Visibility Determination. Proceedings of the
Cloud Impacts on DoD Operations and Systems.
Johnson, R.W., Shield s, J.E. & Koehler, T.L. (1991) Analysis and Interpretation of
Simultaneous Multi-Station Whole Sky Imagery. University of California, San Diego,
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Marine Physical Laboratory, SIO 91-33, PL-TR-91-
2214.
Shields, J.E., Johnson, R.W. & Karr, M.E. (1992) An Automated Observing System for
Passive Evaluation of Cloud Cover and Visibility. University of California, San Diego,
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Marine Physical Laboratory, SIO 92-22, PL-TR-92-
2202, NTIS No. ADA216906.
Shields, J.E., Johnson, R.W. & Koehler, T.L. (1993) Automated Whole Sky Imaging
Systems for Cloud Field Assessment. Fourth Symposium on Global Change Studies, 17 -
22 January 1993, Anaheim, CA. Published by the American Meteorological Society,
Boston, MA.
Shields, J.E., Johnson, R.W., Karr, M.E., Sauer, D.R. & Weymouth, R.A. (1996)
Operations Manual: Day/Night Whole Sky Imager (E/O Camera System 6). University of
California, San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Marine Physical Laboratory,
Optical Systems Group Technical Note No. 240.
Shields, J.E., Johnson, R.W., Karr, M.E., Sauer, D.R., Varah, J.R. & Weymouth, R.A.
(1996) Maintenance and Trouble Shooting Manual: Day/Night Whole Sky Imager (E/O
Camera System 6). University of California, San Diego, Scripps Institution of
Oceanography, Marine Physical Laboratory, Optical Systems Group Technical Note No.
241.
Page 51
Shields, J.E., Johnson, R.W., Karr, M.E., Sauer, D.R., & Weymouth, R.A. (1996) Theory
of Operations and Interactive Optimization: Day/Night Whole Sky Imager (E/O Camera
System 6). University of California, San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography,
Marine Physical Laboratory, Optical Systems Group Technical Note No. 243.
Shields, J.E., Johnson, R.W., Karr, M.E., & Wertz, J.L. (1998) Automated Day/Night
Whole Sky Imagers for Field Assessment of Cloud Cover Distrib
Distributions. Tenth Symposium on Meteorological Observations and Instrumentation, 11
- 16 January 1998, Phoenix, AZ. Published by the American Meteorological Society,
Boston, MA.
Shields, J.E., Karr, M.E., Tooman, T.P., Sowle, D.H., & Moore, S.T. (1998) The Whole
Sky Imager - A Year of Progress. Proceedings of the Eighth Atmospheric Radiation
Measurement (ARM) Science Team Meeting, 23 - 27 March 1998, Tucson, AZ.
Published by the United States Department of Energy, Office of Energy Research, Office
of Health and Environmental Research, Environmental Sciences Division.
8.2
Technical Memoranda
AV99-053t, “How to add a script to the V++ User Menu”, M. E. Karr, 16 Nov 99.
AV00-001t, “Daylight Vis/NIR WSI Parts List”, J. E. Shields, 19 Jan 00.
AV00-002t mod, “Daylight Vis/NIR WSI Setup Instructions”, J. E. Shields, 19 Jan 00.
AV00-017t, “Flux Control for EO System 7, the Day Vis/NIR WSI”, J. E. Shields, 17
Mar 00.
AV00-019t mod, “Filter Changing Procedure for EO System 7, the Day Vis/NIR WSI”,
J. E. Shields, 01 May 00, mod 15 Jul 00.
AV00-020t, “Spectral Curves for EO System 7, the Day Vis/NIR WSI”, J. E. Shields, 03
May 00.
AV00-021t, “Effective Lamp Irradiance Values for EO System 7, the Day Vis/NIR
WSI”, J. E. Shields, 03 May 00.
AV00-022t, “Program Documentation: Program AbscalGm6.C”, J. E. Shields, 03 May
00.
AV00-023t, “Summary of Linearity Results for EO System 7 Unit 1", J. E. Shields, 04
May 00.
AV00-024t, “Discussion of the Handling of the Linearity for E07 System 1”, J. E.
Shields, 09 May 00.
Page 52
AV00-025t, “Interpretation of Photometrics Linearity Specifications”, J. E. Shields, 09
May 00.
AV00-026t, “Dark and Flat FieldCalibration Results for EO System 7, the Day Vis/NIR
WSI”, J. E. Shields, 10 May 00.
AV00-027t, “Absolute Calibration Results for EO System 7, the Day Vis/NIR WSI”, J.
E. Shields, 12 May 00.
AV.00-028t, “Rolloff Calibration Results for E07 Unit 1, the Day Vis/NIR WSI”, J. E.
Shields, 05 June 00.
AV00-029t, “Geometric Calibration Results for E07 Unit 1", A. R. Burden and J. E.
Shields, 22 May 00.
AV00-030t, “Absolute Calibration Results for EO System 7 Unit 1, the Day Vis/NIR
WSI: Summary of the Results of the Calibration, and How to Apply the Calibrations to
Field Data”, J. E. Shields, 05 June 00.
AV00-031t, “Evaluation of Sample Calibration Results for E07 Unit 1", J. E. Shields, 15
July 00.
AV00-032t, “Program WSIPostProcess Documentation”, J. E. Shields and M. E. Karr, 08
June 00.
AV00-033t, “Run WSI for EO System 7, the Day Visible/NIR WSI”, M. E. Karr, 17 July
00.