DQR ID | Subject | Data Streams Affected |
---|---|---|
D050614.1 | SGP/VCEIL/C1 - poor signal | sgpvceil25kC1.b1 |
D051219.1 | NSA/VCEIL/C1 - poor sensitivity at low altitude | nsavceil25kC1.b1 |
D060113.1 | TWP/VCEIL/C3 - low receiver sensitivity | twpvceil25kC3.b1 |
D060517.3 | TWP/VCEIL/C2 - Vceil computer disconnected | twpvceil25kC2.b1 |
D060717.5 | TWP/VCEIL/C2 - Time offset | twpvceil25kC2.b1 |
D061220.34 | TWP/VCEIL/C3 - standard instrument installed | twpvceil25kC3.b1 |
D070201.1 | TWP/VCEIL/C3 - Reduced sensitivity to high clouds | twpvceil25kC3.b1 |
D070201.2 | TWP/VCEIL/C2 - optical cross-talk compensation | twpvceil25kC2.b1 |
D070219.1 | SGP/VCEIL/B6 - contaminated window | sgpvceil25kB6.b1 |
D070329.1 | TWP/VCEIL/C2 - Receiver failure | twpvceil25kC2.b1 |
D070503.3 | TWP/VCEIL/C3 - Reduced sensitivity to high clouds | twpvceil25kC3.b1 |
D070522.1 | SGP/VCEIL/B6 - contaminated window | sgpvceil25kB6.b1 |
D071101.2 | SGP/VCEIL/B5 - Degraded hardware | sgpvceil25kB5.b1 |
D080924.4 | SGP/VCEIL/B5 - Missing data | sgpvceil25kB5.b1 |
D090108.1 | SGP/VCEIL/B4 - Window contamination | sgpvceil25kB4.b1 |
D090507.2 | GRW/VCEIL/M1 - Receiver failure | grwvceil25kM1.b1 |
D090527.1 | TWP/VCEIL/C1 - Compensation fiber | twpvceil25kC1.b1 |
D091026.1 | SGP/VCEIL/B1 - Warning flag | sgpvceil25kB1.b1 |
D091210.1 | NSA/VCEIL/C1 - Degraded window | nsavceil25kC1.b1 |
D100215.1 | SGP/VCEIL/C1/B4/B5/B6 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields | sgpvceil25kB4.b1, sgpvceil25kB5.b1, sgpvceil25kB6.b1, sgpvceil25kC1.b1 |
D100215.2 | SGP/VCEIL/B1 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields | sgpvceil25kB1.b1 |
D100215.3 | NSA/VCEIL/C1/C2 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields | nsavceil25kC1.b1, nsavceil25kC2.b1 |
D100215.4 | TWP/VCEIL/C1 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields | twpvceil25kC1.b1 |
D100215.5 | TWP/VCEIL/C2 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields | twpvceil25kC2.b1 |
D100215.6 | TWP/VCEIL/C3 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields | twpvceil25kC3.b1 |
D100216.3 | NIM/VCEIL/M1 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields | nimvceil25kM1.b1 |
D100216.4 | FKB/VCEIL/M1 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields | fkbvceil25kM1.b1 |
D100216.5 | HFE/VCEIL/M1 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields | hfevceil25kM1.b1 |
D100216.6 | GRW/VCEIL/M1 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields | grwvceil25kM1.b1 |
D100225.2 | HFE/VCEIL/S1 - Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields | hfevceil25kS1.b1 |
D100616.2 | NSA/VCEIL/C1 - Small gaps in data | nsavceil25kC1.b1 |
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
05/05/2005 | 1842 | 04/19/2006 | 1713 |
Subject: | SGP/VCEIL/C1 - poor signal |
DataStreams: | sgpvceil25kC1.b1 |
Description: | When parameters were changed (set noise_h2_compensation to "ON" and units to "METERS") to correct a low amplitude problem, the backscatter plots began displaying horizontal stripes indicating detector "ringing". However, the cloud base heights are not affected. The problem was corrected when the instrument was replaced. |
Measurements: | sgpvceil25kC1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
12/27/2005 | 1930 | 05/02/2006 | 0000 |
Subject: | NSA/VCEIL/C1 - poor sensitivity at low altitude |
DataStreams: | nsavceil25kC1.b1 |
Description: | The ceilometer has an internal amplifier that it sets to low or high depending on prevalant conditions. Normally, the gain is automatically set high during clear skies. It appears that during these times, a slight degradation in either the transmitter or receiver is being amplified and produces a "ripple" at low altitudes in the backscatter plot. Cloud base height detection is not affected. |
Measurements: | nsavceil25kC1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
12/12/2005 | 0555 | 05/18/2006 | 2300 |
Subject: | TWP/VCEIL/C3 - low receiver sensitivity |
DataStreams: | twpvceil25kC3.b1 |
Description: | The ceilometer reported frequent receiver alarms. There are periods when the receiver sensitivity dropped to about 50%. The problem was corrected by replacing the instrument with a spare. |
Measurements: | twpvceil25kC3.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
05/13/2006 | 2249 | 05/15/2006 | 0410 |
Subject: | TWP/VCEIL/C2 - Vceil computer disconnected |
DataStreams: | twpvceil25kC2.b1 |
Description: | VCEIL computer was disconnected during this time period. |
Measurements: | twpvceil25kC2.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
05/13/2006 | 2224 | 07/17/2006 | 1912 |
Subject: | TWP/VCEIL/C2 - Time offset |
DataStreams: | twpvceil25kC2.b1 |
Description: | On 7/14/2006, I found that the ceilometer time was 8m 36s slow, the PC time display (lower right taskbar) was frozen at "22:24", and AboutTime was not running. Corrected it on 7/17 by running AboutTime so that 19:03:29 became 19:12:05. This also corrected the frozen display on the Windows98 taskbar. I am not sure of the start time of this problem but there were several other Windows related issues that had to be corrected on 5/14 with indications of inappropriate access via Remote Administrator on 5/13. I do not know if the time offset was a sudden or gradual change. |
Measurements: | twpvceil25kC2.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
05/18/2006 | 2300 | 12/20/2006 | 0400 |
Subject: | TWP/VCEIL/C3 - standard instrument installed |
DataStreams: | twpvceil25kC3.b1 |
Description: | A spare ceilometer without the tropics window option was installed. The manufacturer recommends the tropics window be used at +/- 25 deg lattitude to prevent direct solar radiation into the laser optics when the instrument pointed at zenith. No significant signal degradation is apparent during the autumnal equinox but, as a precaution, the unit was replaced with the original with a tropics window. |
Measurements: | twpvceil25kC3.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
12/20/2006 | 0401 | 01/12/2007 | 0120 |
Subject: | TWP/VCEIL/C3 - Reduced sensitivity to high clouds |
DataStreams: | twpvceil25kC3.b1 |
Description: | The instrument produced a significant number of optical cross-talk warnings and displayed a reduced capacity to detect high clouds. The internal cables were inspected, the compensation fiber and optics monitor were replaced, the crosstalk compensation was adjusted, and the system tested with an optical termination hood, all with no improvement. While waiting for a new receiver board, receiver ribbon cable, and compensation fiber cable from Vaisala, a spare ceilometer with a standard, "non-tropics", window was installed. |
Measurements: | twpvceil25kC3.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
12/13/2006 | 0000 | 02/05/2007 | 0028 |
Subject: | TWP/VCEIL/C2 - optical cross-talk compensation |
DataStreams: | twpvceil25kC2.b1 |
Description: | The ceilometer gave frequent optical cross-talk compensation warnings, was insensitive to high clouds, and the tropics window was deteriorated. The instrument was replaced with a spare. |
Measurements: | twpvceil25kC2.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
02/08/2007 | 1500 | 02/27/2007 | 2035 |
Subject: | SGP/VCEIL/B6 - contaminated window |
DataStreams: | sgpvceil25kB6.b1 |
Description: | Backscatter has consistently high amplitude because the window was dirty. The problem was corrected when the window was cleaned. |
Measurements: | sgpvceil25kB6.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
03/11/2007 | 2120 | 04/17/2007 | 2325 |
Subject: | TWP/VCEIL/C2 - Receiver failure |
DataStreams: | twpvceil25kC2.b1 |
Description: | The receiver failed and the instrument was replaced. Data during the specified period are not valid. |
Measurements: | twpvceil25kC2.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
04/18/2007 | 1630 | 07/11/2007 | 0550 |
Subject: | TWP/VCEIL/C3 - Reduced sensitivity to high clouds |
DataStreams: | twpvceil25kC3.b1 |
Description: | The instrument had reduced sensitivity to high clouds. The instrument produced a significant number of optical cross-talk warnings and displayed a reduced capacity to detect high clouds. The window was cleaned and the instrument was power-cycled but with no improvement. Diagnostics indicated the problem was with the compensation fiber cable. The problem was corrected by replacing this standard-window instrument (that was tilted at 16 degrees) with a tropics unit that became available. |
Measurements: | twpvceil25kC3.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
05/10/2007 | 2330 | 05/22/2007 | 1930 |
Subject: | SGP/VCEIL/B6 - contaminated window |
DataStreams: | sgpvceil25kB6.b1 |
Description: | The window was contamined with bird droppings producing a status warning and causing the backscatter plot to have a higher than normal amplitude. The problem was corrected when the window was cleaned during regular preventative maintenance. |
Measurements: | sgpvceil25kB6.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
10/25/2007 | 0630 | 11/08/2007 | 1729 |
Subject: | SGP/VCEIL/B5 - Degraded hardware |
DataStreams: | sgpvceil25kB5.b1 |
Description: | Following repair at Vaisala and re-installation on 10/23/2007, the ceilometer experiencing intermittent receiver alarms and discontinuities in the backscatter plot. Vaisala recommended the old firmware card be replaced but that did not resolve the problems. The instrument was replaced with a spare and returned to the vendor for repair. |
Measurements: | sgpvceil25kB5.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
03/08/2002 | 1859 | 03/11/2002 | 2013 |
09/23/2008 | 2033 | 09/25/2008 | 1945 |
Subject: | SGP/VCEIL/B5 - Missing data |
DataStreams: | sgpvceil25kB5.b1 |
Description: | Data are missing and unrecoverable. |
Measurements: | sgpvceil25kB5.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
12/10/2008 | 1530 | 04/07/2009 | 1530 |
Subject: | SGP/VCEIL/B4 - Window contamination |
DataStreams: | sgpvceil25kB4.b1 |
Description: | During this period, the VCEIL window repeatedly became contaminated by bird droppings shortly after each cleaning. Detection of clouds was intermittently limited. The window warnings are contained in the status_flag data. The cleaning frequency was increased and then bird deterrent spikes were installed on 3/24/2009. Cloud height measurements are suspect when the status_string field contains the "Window contaminated" warning. |
Measurements: | sgpvceil25kB4.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
04/22/2009 | 0925 | 05/16/2009 | 1010 |
Subject: | GRW/VCEIL/M1 - Receiver failure |
DataStreams: | grwvceil25kM1.b1 |
Description: | The AMF VCEIL had lower-than-normal laser transmitter power, ~84%, so the instrument was replaced with a spare on 4/22. The spare VCEIL had just been repaired but began to display receiver failure warnings. Diagnostic information was sent to Vaisala and we discussed either replacing the receiver with the one from the original VCEIL (with the degraded transmitter) or replacing the transmitter in the original VCEIL with the one from the spare. Vaisala recommended the latter because the original VCEIL is a much newer unit. On 5/16, the site operator replaced the transmitter in the original VCEIL with the one from the spare, realigned the optics, recalibrated the laser, and put the instrument back into service, successfully correcting the problem. The data during this period were intermittently incorrect, containing warning flags and alarms and unreasonable cloud base heights. |
Measurements: | grwvceil25kM1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
05/25/2009 | 1540 | 06/29/2009 | 0000 |
Subject: | TWP/VCEIL/C1 - Compensation fiber |
DataStreams: | twpvceil25kC1.b1 |
Description: | The VCEIL was reporting a "receiver optical cross-talk compensation is poor" warning. The window was cleaned and the instrument was power-cycled. The problem was corrected when the compensation fiber was replaced and ants were removed from communication connector. Cloud detection was impaired. |
Measurements: | twpvceil25kC1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
04/01/2001 | 0000 | 10/20/2009 | 1227 |
Subject: | SGP/VCEIL/B1 - Warning flag |
DataStreams: | sgpvceil25kB1.b1 |
Description: | Beginning in 2000 (when this datastream was named sgpvceil25kB1.a1), the ceilometer was continuously giving warnings for low battery or charge voltage. Either the battery switch may not have been "ON" or the battery needed to be replaced. Attempts to correct the problem were unsuccessful until the time of site decommissioning. Maintenance efforts ceased 10/1/2009 and the battery was not checked prior to the site being decommissioned on 10/20/2009. |
Measurements: | sgpvceil25kB1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
05/02/2006 | 0000 | 12/03/2009 | 2107 |
Subject: | NSA/VCEIL/C1 - Degraded window |
DataStreams: | nsavceil25kC1.b1 |
Description: | The ceilometer continuously gave warnings for window contamination because the window had deteriorated. Cloud base height detection did not appear to be significantly affected. The window conditioner was replaced on 8/11/09 but this did not clear the warning. The instrument was replaced. |
Measurements: | nsavceil25kC1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
04/01/2001 | 0000 | 10/31/2009 | 2359 |
Subject: | SGP/VCEIL/C1/B4/B5/B6 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields |
DataStreams: | sgpvceil25kB4.b1, sgpvceil25kB5.b1, sgpvceil25kB6.b1, sgpvceil25kC1.b1 |
Description: | Attribute serial_number: In most cases, this field is not representative of the actual serial number of the instrument because the value did not change when an instrument changed locations or was replaced with a spare. Variable sum_backscatter: An out-of-range condition for the "sum of detected and normalized backscatter" was reported as 0 instead of missing (-9999). The valid range is 0 - 0.0999 /srad. This DQR also applies to a1 level data collected prior to b1 level. |
Measurements: | sgpvceil25kC1.b1:
sgpvceil25kB4.b1:
sgpvceil25kB6.b1:
sgpvceil25kB5.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
04/01/2001 | 0000 | 10/21/2009 | 2359 |
Subject: | SGP/VCEIL/B1 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields |
DataStreams: | sgpvceil25kB1.b1 |
Description: | Attribute serial_number: In most cases, this field is not representative of the actual serial number of the instrument because the value did not change when an instrument changed locations or was replaced with a spare. Variable sum_backscatter: An out-of-range condition for the "sum of detected and normalized backscatter" was reported as 0 instead of missing (-9999). The valid range is 0 - 0.0999 /srad. This DQR also applies to a1 level data collected prior to b1 level. |
Measurements: | sgpvceil25kB1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
08/22/1999 | 0000 | 10/31/2009 | 2359 |
Subject: | NSA/VCEIL/C1/C2 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields |
DataStreams: | nsavceil25kC1.b1, nsavceil25kC2.b1 |
Description: | Attribute serial_number: In most cases, this field is not representative of the actual serial number of the instrument because the value did not change when an instrument changed locations or was replaced with a spare. Variable sum_backscatter: An out-of-range condition for the "sum of detected and normalized backscatter" was reported as 0 instead of missing (-9999). The valid range is 0 - 0.0999 /srad. This DQR also applies to a1 and b1 level data collected prior to the begin date. |
Measurements: | nsavceil25kC2.b1:
nsavceil25kC1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
10/11/1996 | 0000 | 10/31/2009 | 2359 |
Subject: | TWP/VCEIL/C1 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields |
DataStreams: | twpvceil25kC1.b1 |
Description: | Attribute serial_number: In most cases, this field is not representative of the actual serial number of the instrument because the value did not change when an instrument changed locations or was replaced with a spare. Variable sum_backscatter: An out-of-range condition for the "sum of detected and normalized backscatter" was reported as 0 instead of missing (-9999). The valid range is 0 - 0.0999 /srad. This DQR also applies to a1 level data. |
Measurements: | twpvceil25kC1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
10/28/1998 | 0000 | 10/31/2009 | 2359 |
Subject: | TWP/VCEIL/C2 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields |
DataStreams: | twpvceil25kC2.b1 |
Description: | Attribute serial_number: In most cases, this field is not representative of the actual serial number of the instrument because the value did not change when an instrument changed locations or was replaced with a spare. Variable sum_backscatter: An out-of-range condition for the "sum of detected and normalized backscatter" was reported as 0 instead of missing (-9999). The valid range is 0 - 0.0999 /srad. This DQR also applies to a1 level data. |
Measurements: | twpvceil25kC2.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
02/27/2002 | 0000 | 10/31/2009 | 2359 |
Subject: | TWP/VCEIL/C3 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields |
DataStreams: | twpvceil25kC3.b1 |
Description: | Attribute serial_number: In most cases, this field is not representative of the actual serial number of the instrument because the value did not change when an instrument changed locations or was replaced with a spare. Variable sum_backscatter: An out-of-range condition for the "sum of detected and normalized backscatter" was reported as 0 instead of missing (-9999). The valid range is 0 - 0.0999 /srad. This DQR also applies to a1 level data. |
Measurements: | twpvceil25kC3.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
11/23/2005 | 0000 | 01/07/2007 | 2359 |
Subject: | NIM/VCEIL/M1 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields |
DataStreams: | nimvceil25kM1.b1 |
Description: | Attribute serial_number: In most cases, this field is not representative of the actual serial number of the instrument because the value did not change when an instrument changed locations or was replaced with a spare. Variable sum_backscatter: An out-of-range condition for the "sum of detected and normalized backscatter" was reported as 0 instead of missing (-9999). The valid range is 0 - 0.0999 /srad. |
Measurements: | nimvceil25kM1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
03/12/2007 | 0000 | 01/01/2008 | 2359 |
Subject: | FKB/VCEIL/M1 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields |
DataStreams: | fkbvceil25kM1.b1 |
Description: | Attribute serial_number: In most cases, this field is not representative of the actual serial number of the instrument because the value did not change when an instrument changed locations or was replaced with a spare. Variable sum_backscatter: An out-of-range condition for the "sum of detected and normalized backscatter" was reported as 0 instead of missing (-9999). The valid range is 0 - 0.0999 /srad. |
Measurements: | fkbvceil25kM1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
05/08/2008 | 0000 | 12/28/2008 | 2359 |
Subject: | HFE/VCEIL/M1 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields |
DataStreams: | hfevceil25kM1.b1 |
Description: | Attribute serial_number: In most cases, this field is not representative of the actual serial number of the instrument because the value did not change when an instrument changed locations or was replaced with a spare. Variable sum_backscatter: An out-of-range condition for the "sum of detected and normalized backscatter" was reported as 0 instead of missing (-9999). The valid range is 0 - 0.0999 /srad. |
Measurements: | hfevceil25kM1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
04/13/2009 | 0000 | 10/31/2009 | 2359 |
Subject: | GRW/VCEIL/M1 - Reprocess: Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields |
DataStreams: | grwvceil25kM1.b1 |
Description: | Attribute serial_number: In most cases, this field is not representative of the actual serial number of the instrument because the value did not change when an instrument changed locations or was replaced with a spare. Variable sum_backscatter: An out-of-range condition for the "sum of detected and normalized backscatter" was reported as 0 instead of missing (-9999). The valid range is 0 - 0.0999 /srad. |
Measurements: | grwvceil25kM1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
10/06/2008 | 0000 | 12/13/2008 | 2359 |
Subject: | HFE/VCEIL/S1 - Incorrect serial_number and sum_backscatter fields |
DataStreams: | hfevceil25kS1.b1 |
Description: | Attribute serial_number: In most cases, this field is not representative of the actual serial number of the instrument because the value did not change when an instrument changed locations or was replaced with a spare. Variable sum_backscatter: An out-of-range condition for the "sum of detected and normalized backscatter" was reported as 0 instead of missing (-9999). The valid range is 0 - 0.0999 /srad. |
Measurements: | hfevceil25kS1.b1:
|
Start Date | Start Time | End Date | End Time |
---|---|---|---|
12/03/2009 | 2107 | 06/15/2010 | 2143 |
Subject: | NSA/VCEIL/C1 - Small gaps in data |
DataStreams: | nsavceil25kC1.b1 |
Description: | When the ceilometer was replaced, small gaps in the netCDF files occurred due to the presence of '?' characters in the backscatter and header records of the raw data that could not be ingested. It is unknown whether this was caused by a poor CPU board or incompatibilities with the computer configuration (hyper-threading). The problem was corrected when the instrument and computer were both replaced. During this period, approximately 3% of data are missing each hour due to this problem. |
Measurements: | nsavceil25kC1.b1:
|