Presentation
PAD is a software that has been first developped in the framework of French-Indonesian Cooperation in volcanology, while I was CSN in 1993. Then it has been modified and improved thanks to NACLS support.
PAD is part of a satellite-based monitoring system consisting of:
- Automatic data collection platforms with Argos transmitters;
- Satellites which retransmit the data to the Argos processing centers;
- Processing centers which make the results available to users.
PAD lets you display your Argos data using simple commands entered through a PC-type microcomputer. PAD is for Argos system users who operate data acquisition platforms and want an easy way to:
- access their results,
- monitor trends over time,
- store data in a database.
These operations need only a few commands, making it feasible to access your data daily. To keep it simple, PAD does not include scientific calculations: these are too specific to each application. PAD prepares data files in standard ASCII format for input to your own scientific programs, spreadsheets, database management systems, etc.
Main functions
- Reading Argos Data files to receive the messages processed via Argos over a period of time. The period can be a day, four days, or according to your needs. PAD does quality control on the raw Argos messages.
- Displaying converted messages, showing sensor values and their time-tags. To do this, PAD requires you to describe the standard format sent by the platform. For instance you can tell PAD that a particular value is actually a temperature probe, with measurements in tenths of a degree C.
- Displaying curves, barcharts or other graphics for each of the parameters observed, over a selected period, according to the memory. PAD can display your graphics a couple of seconds after you enter the program: one, choose Graphics from the Main Menu; two, choose Instant Graphics Display in the next menu, and you get your data displayed!
- Managing a database, i.e. archiving the generic descriptions of the platforms, the configuration of each individual platform, and the results either in raw data form as generated by the platforms, or in converted formats as lists of time-tagged data.
Contact
Peter C. Griffith, Vice President
North American CLS, Inc.
9200 Basil Court, Suite 306, Largo, Maryland, 20774, USA
Phone: 301-341-1814, Fax: 301-341-2130
Web: http://www.nacls.com
