A bureau within the U.S. Department of Commerce   
NOAA logo - Click to go to the NOAA homepage National Weather Service   NWS logo - Click to go to the NWS homepage
Warning Decision Training Branch (Click Here to return to WDTB Home.)
 
 


 

RPG/RDA Build Training

WDTB has delivered training on the WSR-88D Radar Product Generator (RPG) and Radar Data Acquisition Unit (RDA) since the system was initially fielded. The courses below present the new functionality, system changes, and their impacts to users for each build release.

Training Access

The links on the left access the course information pages for each build release. You can access an outline of the significant build changes by moving your mouse over each of these course info page links.

The links on the right are for the various training content that is available. NOTE: The streaming lessons and documents for a particular build release will contain similar information. We recommend you pick the format you prefer to find the information you are looking for in that particular training lesson.

Directory of Build Training
Course Information Page

Training Links
RDA/RPG Build 13.1:
RDA/RPG Build 13.0:
RPG Build 12.3:
RPG Build 12.0:
RDA/RPG Build 11.0:
RDA/RPG Build 10.0:
RDA/RPG Build 9.0:
ORDA/RPG Build 8.0:
ORDA Build 7.0:

Feedback

WDTB welcomes your feedback on this training. Please send us your comments! Thanks!

 
WDTB Home!
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services
Web site owner:
Warning Decision Training Branch
120 David L. Boren Blvd.
Norman, OK 73072
Page Author: WDTB Webmaster
Page last modified: February 4, 2013 13:51

Disclaimer
Credits
Glossary
FOIA
Privacy Policy
Information Quality

 About NWS
Career Opportunities
Strategic Plan
NWS Mission Statement

Release: RDA/RPG Build 13.1
Deployed: Winter 2013
Features:

  1. Adjustments to the RPG dual-polarization algorithms
  2. The Two Dimensional Velocity Dealiasing Algorithm (2D-VDA)

Release: RDA/RPG Build 13.0
Deployed: Summer 2012
Features:

  1. Adjustments to dual-polarization RPG algorithms
  2. Clutter Mitigation Decision (CMD) & Automated Volume Scan Evaluation and Termination (AVSET) algorithms will be unavailable (unless your radar has been upgraded to dual-pol)
  3. Enhanced VAD Wind Profile
  4. New technique for computing Spectrum Width

Release: RPG Build 12.3
Deployed: Fall 2011
Features:

  1. New RPG status messages
  2. Automated Volume Scan Evaluation and Termination (AVSET)

Release: RPG Build 12.0
Deployed: Fall 2010
Features:

  1. Changes to RPG windows to support dual-polarization upgrade
  2. Legacy Mesocyclone algorithm and products removed
  3. MDA to ingest Super Resolution base data
  4. 8-bit Spectrum Width products available for all elevations

Release: ORDA Build 7.0
Deployed: Fall 2005
Features:

  1. Improvements in calibration
  2. Improved sensitivity in long pulse (VCP 31)
  3. New clutter suppression technique: Gaussian Model Adaptive Processing (GMAP)
  4. Differences in Batch elevation Reflectivity data
  5. Improvements to the quality of Spectrum Width estimates
  6. Differences in elevation angle settling
  7. End of first trip Velocity less noisy with ORDA
  8. Differences in types of RDA alarms
  9. Differences in RDA Performance Data menus
  10. False Alarms at AWIPS

Release: RDA/RPG Build 8.0
Deployed: Spring 2006
Features:

  1. Mode Selection Function (MSF)
  2. New design for filtering RPG Status Messages
  3. Storm Cell Identification and Tracking (SCIT) Reflectivity data filter
  4. MDA updates and fixes
  5. PPS updates and fixes
  6. Fix to allow VMI change while in VCP 121
  7. RPG/Users communication changes
  8. RPG System Status Log product

Release: RDA/RPG Build 9.0
Deployed: Summer 2007
Features:

  1. RPG hardware refresh
  2. RPG Human Computer Interface (HCI) window changes
  3. RPG impacts of increase in clutter filter elevation segments at the RDA
  4. Using the SZ-2 Volume Coverage Patterns (VCP)s
  5. RPG ingest of environmental data from AWIPS
  6. Changes to Mesocyclone Detection Algorithm (MDA)
  7. Snow Accumulation Algorithm (SAA) adaptable parameter changes
  8. Machine Intelligent Gust Front Algorithm (MIGFA)

Release: RDA/RPG Build 10.0
Deployed: Spring 2008
Features:

  1. Super Resolution base data and products
  2. Recombination algorithm
  3. Numerous RPG HCI changes
  4. Enhanced version of VCP 121
  5. Bias Value Source added to PPS products
  6. Threshold number of gage radar pairs URC editable

Release: RDA/RPG Build 11.0
Deployed: Spring 2009
Features:

  1. Clutter Mitigation Decision (CMD) algorithm
  2. Improvements to the Mesocyclone Detection Algorithm (MDA)
  3. Removal of rarely used products
  4. VAD slant range parameter reset to default value of 30 km