binietoglou@0: The SCC netCDF file format
binietoglou@0: ==========================
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Rationale
binietoglou@0: ---------
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: The Single Calculus Chain (SCC) is composed by two different modules:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: -  pre-processing module ( scc\_preprocessing)
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: -  optical processing module ( ELDA)
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: To perfom aerosol optical retrievals the SCC needs not only the raw
binietoglou@0: lidar data but also a certain number of parameters to use in both
binietoglou@0: pre-processing and optical processing stages. The SCC gets these
binietoglou@0: parameters looking at two different locations:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: -  Single Calculus Chain relational database (SCC\_DB)
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: -  Input files
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: There are some paramenters that can be found only in the input files
binietoglou@0: (those ones changing from measurement to measurement), others that can
binietoglou@0: be found only in the SCC\_DB and other ones that can be found in both
binietoglou@0: these locations. In the last case, if a particular parameter is needed,
binietoglou@0: the SCC will search first in the input files and then in SCC\_DB. If the
binietoglou@0: parameter is found in the input files the SCC will keep it without
binietoglou@0: looking into SCC\_DB.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: The input files have to be submitted to the SCC in NetCDF format. At the
binietoglou@0: present the SCC can handle four different types of input files:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 1. Raw Lidar Data
binietoglou@0: 2. Sounding Data
binietoglou@0: 3. Overlap
binietoglou@0: 4. Lidar Ratio
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: As already mentioned, the  Raw Lidar Data file contains not only the
binietoglou@0: raw lidar data but also other parameters to use to perform the
binietoglou@0: pre-processing and optical processing. The  Sounding Data file
binietoglou@0: contains the data coming from a correlative radiosounding and it is used
binietoglou@0: by the SCC for molecular density calculation. The  Overlap file
binietoglou@0: contains the measured overlap function. The  Lidar Ratio file contains
binietoglou@0: a lidar ratio profile to use in elastic backscatter retrievals. The 
binietoglou@0: Raw Lidar Data file is of course mandatory and the  Sounding Data, 
binietoglou@0: Overlap and  Lidar Ratio files are optional. If  Sounding Data file
binietoglou@0: is not submitted by the user, the molecular density will be calculated
binietoglou@0: by the SCC using the “US Standard Atmosphere 1976”. If the  Overlap
binietoglou@0: file is not submitted by the user, the SCC will get the full overlap
binietoglou@0: height from SCC\_DB and it will produce optical results starting from
binietoglou@0: this height. If  Lidar Ratio file is not submitted by the user, the
binietoglou@0: SCC will consider a fixed value for lidar ratio got from SCC\_DB.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: The user can decide to submit all these files or any number of them (of
binietoglou@0: course the file  Raw Lidar Data is mandatory). For example the user
binietoglou@0: can submit together with the  Raw Lidar Data file only the  Sounding
binietoglou@0: Data file or only the  Overlap file.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: This document provides a detailed explanation about the structure of the
binietoglou@0: NetCDF input files to use for SCC data submission. All Earlinet groups
binietoglou@0: should read it carefully because they have to produce such kind of input
binietoglou@0: files if they want to use the SCC for their standard lidar retrievals.
binietoglou@0: Every comments or suggestions regarding this document can be sent to
binietoglou@0: Giuseppe D’Amico by e-mail at ``damico@imaa.cnr.it``
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: This document is available for downloading at ``www.earlinetasos.org``
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: In table tab:rawdata is reported a list of dimensions, variables and
binietoglou@0: global attributes that can be used in the NetCDF  Raw Lidar Data input
binietoglou@0: file. For each of them it is indicated:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: -  The name. For the multidimensional variables also the corresponding
binietoglou@0:    dimensions are reported
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: -  A description explaining the meaning
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: -  The type
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: -  If it is mandatory or optional
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: As already mentioned, the SCC can get some parameters looking first in
binietoglou@0: the  Raw Lidar Data input file and then into SCC\_DB. This means that
binietoglou@0: to use the parameters stored in SCC\_DB the optional variables or
binietoglou@0: optional global attributes must not appear within  Raw Lidar Data
binietoglou@0: file. This is the suggested and recommended way to use the SCC. Please
binietoglou@0: include optional parameters in the  Raw Lidar Data only as an
binietoglou@0: exception.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: In table tab:sounding, tab:overlap and tab:lr are reported all the
binietoglou@0: information about the structure of  Sounding Data,  Overlap and 
binietoglou@0: Lidar Ratio input files respectively.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Example
binietoglou@0: -------
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Let’s now consider an example of  Raw Lidar Data input file. Suppose
binietoglou@0: we want to generate NetCDF input file corresponding to a measurement
binietoglou@0: with the following properties:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: +----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: | Start Date           | :math:`30^{th}` January 2009              |
binietoglou@0: +----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: | Start Time UT        | 00:00:01                                  |
binietoglou@0: +----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: | Stop Time UT         | 00:05:01                                  |
binietoglou@0: +----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: | Station Name         | Dummy station                             |
binietoglou@0: +----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: | Earlinet call-sign   | cc                                        |
binietoglou@0: +----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: | Pointing angle       | 5 degrees with respect to the zenith      |
binietoglou@0: +----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Moreover suppose that this measurement is composed by the following
binietoglou@0: lidar channels:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 1. 1064 lidar channel
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    +------------------------------+-------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Emission wavelength=1064nm   | Detection wavelength=1064nm   |
binietoglou@0:    +------------------------------+-------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Time resolution=30s          | Number of laser shots=1500    |
binietoglou@0:    +------------------------------+-------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Number of bins=3000          | Detection mode=analog         |
binietoglou@0:    +------------------------------+-------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Range resolution=7.5m        | Polarization state=total      |
binietoglou@0:    +------------------------------+-------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 2. 532 cross lidar channel
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Emission wavelength=532nm   | Detection wavelength=532nm      |
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Time resolution=60s         | Number of laser shots=3000      |
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Number of bins=5000         | Detection mode=photoncounting   |
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Range resolution=15m        | Polarization state=cross        |
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 3. 532 parallel lidar channel
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Emission wavelength=532nm   | Detection wavelength=532nm      |
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Time resolution=60s         | Number of laser shots=3000      |
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Number of bins=5000         | Detection mode=photoncounting   |
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Range resolution=15m        | Polarization state=parallel     |
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 4. 607 :math:`N_2` vibrational Raman channel
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Emission wavelength=532nm   | Detection wavelength=607nm      |
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Time resolution=60s         | Number of laser shots=3000      |
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Number of bins=5000         | Detection mode=photoncounting   |
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Range resolution=15m                                          |
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Finally let’s assume we have also performed dark measurements before the
binietoglou@0: lidar measurements from the 23:50:01 UT up to 23:53:01 UT of
binietoglou@0: 29:math:`^\mathrmth` January 2009.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Dimensions
binietoglou@0: ~~~~~~~~~~
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Looking at table tab:rawdata we have to fix the following dimensions:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:     points
binietoglou@0:     channels
binietoglou@0:     time
binietoglou@0:     nb_of_time_scales
binietoglou@0:     scan_angles
binietoglou@0:     time_bck
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: The dimension ``time`` is unlimited so we don’t have to fix it.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: We have 4 lidar channels so:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:     channels=4
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Regarding the dimension ``points`` we have only one channel with a
binietoglou@0: number of vertical bins equal to 3000 (the 1064nm) and all other
binietoglou@0: channels with 5000 vertical bins. In cases like this the dimension
binietoglou@0: ``points`` has to be fixed to the maximum number of vertical bins so:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:     points=5000
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Moreover only one channel (1064nm) is acquired with a time resolution of
binietoglou@0: 30 seconds, all the other channels have a time resolution of 60 seconds.
binietoglou@0: This means that we have to define two different time scales. We have to
binietoglou@0: set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:     nb_of_time_scales=2
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: The measurement is performed only at one scan angle (5 degrees with
binietoglou@0: respect to the zenith) so:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:     scan_angles=1
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: We have 3 minutes of dark measurements and two different time scales one
binietoglou@0: with 60 seconds time resolution and the other one with 30 seconds time
binietoglou@0: resolution. So we will have 3 different dark profiles for the channels
binietoglou@0: acquired with the first time scale and 6 for the lidar channels acquired
binietoglou@0: with the second time scale. We have to fix the dimension ``time_bck`` as
binietoglou@0: the maximum between these values:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:     time_bck=6
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Variables
binietoglou@0: ~~~~~~~~~
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: In this section it will be explained how to fill all the possible
binietoglou@0: variables either mandatory or optional of  Raw Lidar Data input file.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Raw_Data_Start_Time(time, nb_of_time_scales)
binietoglou@0:    This 2 dimensional mandatory array has to contain the acquisition
binietoglou@0:    start time (in seconds from the time given by the global attribute
binietoglou@0:    ``RawData_Start_Time_UT``) of each lidar profile. In this example we
binietoglou@0:    have two different time scales: one is characterized by steps of 30
binietoglou@0:    seconds (the 1064nm is acquired with this time scale) the other by
binietoglou@0:    steps of 60 seconds (532cross, 532parallel and 607nm). Moreover the
binietoglou@0:    measurement start time is 00:00:01 UT and the measurement stop time
binietoglou@0:    is 00:05:01 UT. In this case we have to define:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Raw_Data_Start_Time =
binietoglou@0:          0, 0,
binietoglou@0:          60, 30,
binietoglou@0:          120, 60,
binietoglou@0:          180, 90,
binietoglou@0:          240, 120,
binietoglou@0:          _, 150,
binietoglou@0:          _, 180,
binietoglou@0:          _, 210,
binietoglou@0:          _, 240,
binietoglou@0:          _, 270 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    The order used to fill this array defines the correspondence between
binietoglou@0:    the different time scales and the time scale index. In this example
binietoglou@0:    we have a time scale index of 0 for the time scale with steps of 60
binietoglou@0:    seconds and a time scale index of 1 for the other one.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Raw_Data_Stop_Time(time, nb_of_time_scales)
binietoglou@0:    The same as previous item but for the data acquisition stop time.
binietoglou@0:    Following a similar procedure we have to define:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Raw_Data_Stop_Time =
binietoglou@0:          60, 30,
binietoglou@0:          120, 60,
binietoglou@0:          180, 90,
binietoglou@0:          240, 120,
binietoglou@0:          300, 150,
binietoglou@0:          _, 180,
binietoglou@0:          _, 210,
binietoglou@0:          _, 240,
binietoglou@0:          _, 270,
binietoglou@0:          _, 300 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Raw_Lidar_Data(time, channels, points)
binietoglou@0:    This 3 dimensional mandatory array has to be filled with the
binietoglou@0:    time-series of raw lidar data. The photoncounting profiles have to
binietoglou@0:    submitted in counts (so as integers) while the analog ones in mV. The
binietoglou@0:    order the user chooses to fill this array defines the correspondence
binietoglou@0:    between channel index and lidar data.
binietoglou@0:    
binietoglou@0:    For example if we fill this array in such way that:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    +-------------------------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Raw_Lidar_Data(time,0,points        | :math:`\rightarrow` is the time-series of 1064 nm          |
binietoglou@0:    +-------------------------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Raw_Lidar_Data(time,1,points        | :math:`\rightarrow` is the time-series of 532 cross        |
binietoglou@0:    +-------------------------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Raw_Lidar_Data(time,2,points        | :math:`\rightarrow` is the time-series of 532 parallel     |
binietoglou@0:    +-------------------------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Raw_Lidar_Data(time,3,points        | :math:`\rightarrow` is the time-series of 607 nm           |
binietoglou@0:    +-------------------------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    from now on the channel index 0 is associated to the 1064 channel, 
binietoglou@0:    1 to the 532 cross, 2 to the 532 parallel and 3 to the 607nm.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Raw_Bck_Start_Time(time_bck, nb_of_time_scales)
binietoglou@0:    This 2 dimensional optional array has to contain the acquisition
binietoglou@0:    start time (in seconds from the time given by the global attribute
binietoglou@0:    ``RawBck_Start_Time_UT``) of each dark measurements profile.
binietoglou@0:    Following the same procedure used for the variable
binietoglou@0:    ``Raw_Data_Start_Time`` we have to define:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Raw_Bck_Start_Time =
binietoglou@0:          0, 0,
binietoglou@0:          60, 30,
binietoglou@0:          120, 60,
binietoglou@0:          _, 90,
binietoglou@0:          _, 120,
binietoglou@0:          _, 150;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Raw_Bck_Stop_Time(time_bck, nb_of_time_scales)
binietoglou@0:    The same as previous item but for the dark acquisition stop time.
binietoglou@0:    Following a similar procedure we have to define:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Raw_Bck_Stop_Time =
binietoglou@0:          60, 30,
binietoglou@0:          120, 60,
binietoglou@0:          180, 90,
binietoglou@0:          _, 120,
binietoglou@0:          _, 150,
binietoglou@0:          _, 180 ;
binietoglou@0:          
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Background_Profile(time_bck, channels, points)
binietoglou@0:    This 3 dimensional optional array has to be filled with the
binietoglou@0:    time-series of the dark measurements data. The photoncounting
binietoglou@0:    profiles have to submitted in counts (so as integers) while the
binietoglou@0:    analog ones in mV. The user has to fill this array following the same
binietoglou@0:    order used in filling the array ``Raw_Lidar_Data``:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    +---------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Background_Profile(time_bck,0,points        | :math:`\rightarrow` dark time-series at 1064 nm          |
binietoglou@0:    +---------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Background_Profile(time_bck,1,points        | :math:`\rightarrow` dark time-series at 532 cross        |
binietoglou@0:    +---------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Background_Profile(time_bck,2,points        | :math:`\rightarrow` dark time-series at 532 parallel     |
binietoglou@0:    +---------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | Background_Profile(time_bck,3,points        | :math:`\rightarrow` dark time-series at 607 nm           |
binietoglou@0:    +---------------------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: channel_ID(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This mandatory array provides the link between the channel index
binietoglou@0:    within the  Raw Lidar Data input file and the channel ID in
binietoglou@0:    SCC\_DB. To fill this variable the user has to know which channel IDs
binietoglou@0:    in SCC\_DB correspond to his lidar channels. For this purpose the
binietoglou@0:    SCC, in its final version will provide to the user a special tool to
binietoglou@0:    get these channel IDs through a Web interface. At the moment this
binietoglou@0:    interface is not yet available and these channel IDs will be
binietoglou@0:    communicated directly to the user by the NA5 people.
binietoglou@0:    
binietoglou@0:    Anyway to continue the example let’s suppose that the four lidar
binietoglou@0:    channels taken into account are mapped into SCC\_DB with the
binietoglou@0:    following channel IDs:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    +----------------+--------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 1064 nm        | :math:`\rightarrow` channel ID=7     |
binietoglou@0:    +----------------+--------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 532 cross      | :math:`\rightarrow` channel ID=5     |
binietoglou@0:    +----------------+--------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 532 parallel   | :math:`\rightarrow` channel ID=6     |
binietoglou@0:    +----------------+--------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 607 nm         | :math:`\rightarrow` channel ID=8     |
binietoglou@0:    +----------------+--------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:     In this case we have to define:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        channel_ID = 7, 5, 6, 8 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: id_timescale(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This mandatory array is introduced to determine which time scale is
binietoglou@0:    used for the acquisition of each lidar channel. In particular this
binietoglou@0:    array defines the link between the channel index and the time scale
binietoglou@0:    index. In our example we have two different time scales. Filling the
binietoglou@0:    arrays ``Raw_Data_Start_Time`` and ``Raw_Data_Stop_Time`` we have
binietoglou@0:    defined a time scale index of 0 for the time scale with steps of 60
binietoglou@0:    seconds and a time scale index of 1 for the other one with steps of
binietoglou@0:    30 seconds. In this way this array has to be set as:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        id_timescale = 1, 0, 0, 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Laser_Pointing_Angle(scan_angles
binietoglou@0:    This mandatory array contains all the scan angles used in the
binietoglou@0:    measurement. In our example we have only one scan angle of 5 degrees
binietoglou@0:    with respect to the zenith, so we have to define:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Laser_Pointing_Angle = 5 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Laser_Pointing_Angle_of_Profiles(time, nb_of_time_scales)
binietoglou@0:    This mandatory array is introduced to determine which scan angle is
binietoglou@0:    used for the acquisition of each lidar profile. In particular this
binietoglou@0:    array defines the link between the time and time scales indexes and
binietoglou@0:    the scan angle index. In our example we have a single scan angle that
binietoglou@0:    has to correspond to the scan angle index 0. So this array has to be
binietoglou@0:    defined as:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Laser_Pointing_Angle_of_Profiles =
binietoglou@0:          0, 0,
binietoglou@0:          0, 0,
binietoglou@0:          0, 0,
binietoglou@0:          0, 0,
binietoglou@0:          0, 0,
binietoglou@0:          _, 0,
binietoglou@0:          _, 0,
binietoglou@0:          _, 0,
binietoglou@0:          _, 0,
binietoglou@0:          _, 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Laser_Shots(time, channels)
binietoglou@0:    This mandatory array stores the laser shots accumulated at each time
binietoglou@0:    for each channel. In our example the number of laser shots
binietoglou@0:    accumulated is 1500 for the 1064nm channels and 3000 for all the
binietoglou@0:    other channels. Moreover the laser shots do not change with the time.
binietoglou@0:    So we have to define this array as:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         Laser_Shots =
binietoglou@0:          1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:          1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:          1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:          1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:          1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:          1500, _, _, _, 
binietoglou@0:          1500, _, _, _, 
binietoglou@0:          1500, _, _, _, 
binietoglou@0:          1500, _, _, _, 
binietoglou@0:          1500, _, _, _ ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Emitted_Wavelength(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This optional array defines the link between the channel index and
binietoglou@0:    the emission wavelength for each lidar channel. The wavelength has to
binietoglou@0:    be expressed in nm. This information can be also taken from SCC\_DB.
binietoglou@0:    In our example we have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Emitted_Wavelength = 1064, 532, 532, 532 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Detected_Wavelength(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This optional array defines the link between the channel index and
binietoglou@0:    the detected wavelength for each lidar channel. Here detected
binietoglou@0:    wavelength means the value of center of interferential filter
binietoglou@0:    expressed in nm. This information can be also taken from SCC\_DB. In
binietoglou@0:    our example we have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Detected_Wavelength = 1064, 532, 532, 607 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Raw_Data_Range_Resolution(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This optional array defines the link between the channel index and
binietoglou@0:    the raw range resolution for each channel. If the scan angle is
binietoglou@0:    different from zero this quantity is different from the vertical
binietoglou@0:    resolution. More precisely if :math:`\alpha` is the scan angle used
binietoglou@0:    and :math:`\Delta z` is the range resolution the vertical
binietoglou@0:    resolution is calculated as :math:`\Delta
binietoglou@0:    z'=\Delta z \cos\alpha`. This array has to be filled with
binietoglou@0:    :math:`\Delta z` and not with :math:`\Delta z'`. The unit is
binietoglou@0:    meters. This information can be also taken from SCC\_DB. In our
binietoglou@0:    example we have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Raw_Data_Range_Resolution = 7.5, 15.0, 15.0, 15.0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: ID_Range(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This optional array defines if a particular channel is configured as
binietoglou@0:    high, low or ultranear range channel. In particular a value 0
binietoglou@0:    indicates a low range channel, a value 1 a high range channel and a
binietoglou@0:    value of 2 an ultranear range channel. If for a particular channel
binietoglou@0:    you don’t separate between high and low range channel, please set the
binietoglou@0:    corresponding value to 1. This information can be also taken from
binietoglou@0:    SCC\_DB. In our case we have to set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        ID_Range = 1, 1, 1, 1 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Scattering_Mechanism(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This optional array defines the scattering mechanism involved in
binietoglou@0:    each lidar channel. In particular the following values are adopted:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    +------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 0    | :math:`\rightarrow` Total elastic backscatter                                               |
binietoglou@0:    +------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 1    | :math:`\rightarrow` :math:`N_2` vibrational Raman backscatter                               |
binietoglou@0:    +------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 2    | :math:`\rightarrow` Cross polarization elastic backscatter                                  |
binietoglou@0:    +------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 3    | :math:`\rightarrow` Parallel polarization elastic backscatter                               |
binietoglou@0:    +------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 4    | :math:`\rightarrow` :math:`H_2O` vibrational Raman backscatter                              |
binietoglou@0:    +------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 5    | :math:`\rightarrow` Rotational Raman Stokes line close to elastic line                      |
binietoglou@0:    +------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 6    | :math:`\rightarrow` Rotational Raman Stokes line far from elastic line                      |
binietoglou@0:    +------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 7    | :math:`\rightarrow` Rotational Raman anti-Stokes line close to elastic line                 |
binietoglou@0:    +------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 8    | :math:`\rightarrow` Rotational Raman anti-Stokes line far from elastic line                 |
binietoglou@0:    +------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 9    | :math:`\rightarrow` Rotational Raman Stokes and anti-Stokes lines close to elastic line     |
binietoglou@0:    +------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0:    | 10   | :math:`\rightarrow` Rotational Raman Stokes and anti-Stokes lines far from elastic line     |
binietoglou@0:    +------+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    This information can be also taken from SCC\_DB. In our example we have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         Scattering_Mechanism = 0, 2, 3, 1 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Acquisition_Mode(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This optional array defines the acquisition mode (analog or
binietoglou@0:    photoncounting) involved in each lidar channel. In particular a value
binietoglou@0:    of 0 means analog mode and 1 photoncounting mode. This information
binietoglou@0:    can be also taken from SCC\_DB. In our example we have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         Acquisition_Mode = 0, 1, 1, 1 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Laser_Repetition_Rate(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This optional array defines the repetition rate in Hz used to
binietoglou@0:    acquire each lidar channel. This information can be also taken from
binietoglou@0:    SCC\_DB. In our example we are supposing we have only one laser with
binietoglou@0:    a repetition rate of 50 Hz so we have to set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Laser_Repetition_Rate = 50, 50, 50, 50 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Dead_Time(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This optional array defines the dead time in ns associated to each
binietoglou@0:    lidar channel. The SCC will use the values given by this array to
binietoglou@0:    correct the photoncounting signals for dead time. Of course for
binietoglou@0:    analog signals no dead time correction will be applied (for analog
binietoglou@0:    channels the corresponding dead time values have to be set to
binietoglou@0:    undefined value). This information can be also taken from SCC\_DB. In
binietoglou@0:    our example the 1064 nm channel is acquired in analog mode so the
binietoglou@0:    corresponding dead time value has to be undefined. If we suppose a
binietoglou@0:    dead time of 10 ns for all other channels we have to set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         Dead_Time = _, 10, 10, 10 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Dead_Time_Corr_Type(channels
binietoglou@0:    This optional array defines which kind of dead time correction has
binietoglou@0:    to be applied on each photoncounting channel. The SCC will correct
binietoglou@0:    the data supposing a not-paralyzable channel if a value of 0 is found
binietoglou@0:    while a paralyzable channel is supposed if a value of 1 is found. Of
binietoglou@0:    course for analog signals no dead time correction will be applied and
binietoglou@0:    so the corresponding values have to be set to undefined value. This
binietoglou@0:    information can be also taken from SCC\_DB. In our example the 1064
binietoglou@0:    nm channel is acquired in analog mode so the corresponding has to be
binietoglou@0:    undefined. If we want to consider all the photoncounting signals as
binietoglou@0:    not-paralyzable ones: we have to set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         Dead_Time_Corr_Type = _, 0, 0, 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Trigger_Delay(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This optional array defines the delay (in ns) of the middle of the
binietoglou@0:    first rangebin with respect to the output laser pulse for each lidar
binietoglou@0:    channel. The SCC will use the values given by this array to correct
binietoglou@0:    for trigger delay. This information can be also taken from SCC\_DB.
binietoglou@0:    Let’s suppose that in our example all the photoncounting channels are
binietoglou@0:    not affected by this delay and only the analog channel at 1064nm is
binietoglou@0:    acquired with a delay of 50ns. In this case we have to set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Trigger_Delay = 50, 0, 0, 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Background_Mode(channels
binietoglou@0:    This optional array defines how the atmospheric background has to be
binietoglou@0:    subtracted from the lidar channel. Two options are available for the
binietoglou@0:    calculation of atmospheric background:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    #. Average in the far field of lidar channel. In this case the value
binietoglou@0:       of this variable has to be 1
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    #. Average within pre-trigger bins. In this case the value of this
binietoglou@0:       variable has to be 0
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    This information can be also taken from SCC\_DB. Let’s suppose in our
binietoglou@0:    example we use the pre-trigger for the 1064nm channel and the far
binietoglou@0:    field for all other channels. In this case we have to set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Background_Mode = 0, 1, 1, 1 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Background_Low(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This mandatory array defines the minimum altitude (in meters) to
binietoglou@0:    consider in calculating the atmospheric background for each channel.
binietoglou@0:    In case pre-trigger mode is used the corresponding value has to be
binietoglou@0:    set to the rangebin to be used as lower limit (within pre-trigger
binietoglou@0:    region) for background calculation. In our example, if we want to
binietoglou@0:    calculate the background between 30000 and 50000 meters for all
binietoglou@0:    photoncounting channels and we want to use the first 500 pre-trigger
binietoglou@0:    bins for the background calculation for the 1064nm channel we have to
binietoglou@0:    set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         Background_Low= 0, 30000, 30000, 30000 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Background_High(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This mandatory array defines the maximum altitude (in meters) to
binietoglou@0:    consider in calculating the atmospheric background for each channel.
binietoglou@0:    In case pre-trigger mode is used the corresponding value has to be
binietoglou@0:    set to the rangebin to be used as upper limit (within pre-trigger
binietoglou@0:    region) for background calculation. In our example, if we want to
binietoglou@0:    calculate the background between 30000 and 50000 meters for all
binietoglou@0:    photoncounting channels and we want to use the first 500 pre-trigger
binietoglou@0:    bins for the background calculation for the 1064nm channel we have to
binietoglou@0:    set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Background_High = 500, 50000, 50000, 50000 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Molecular_Calc
binietoglou@0:    This mandatory variable defines the way used by SCC to calculate the
binietoglou@0:    molecular density profile. At the moment two options are available:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    #. US Standard Atmosphere 1976. In this case the value of this
binietoglou@0:       variable has to be 0
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    #. Radiosounding. In this case the value of this variable has to be 1
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    If we decide to use the option 1. we have to provide also the
binietoglou@0:    measured pressure and temperature at lidar station level. Indeed if
binietoglou@0:    we decide to use the option 2. a radiosounding file has to be
binietoglou@0:    submitted separately in NetCDF format (the structure of this file is
binietoglou@0:    summarized in table tab:sounding). Let’s suppose we want to use the
binietoglou@0:    option 1. so:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Molecular_Calc = 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Pressure_at_Lidar_Station
binietoglou@0:    Because we have chosen the US Standard Atmosphere for calculation of
binietoglou@0:    the molecular density profile we have to give the pressure in hPa at
binietoglou@0:    lidar station level:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Pressure_at_Lidar_Station = 1010 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Temperature_at_Lidar_Station
binietoglou@0:    Because we have chosen the US Standard Atmosphere for calculation of
binietoglou@0:    the molecular density profile we have to give the temperature in C at
binietoglou@0:    lidar station level:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Temperature_at_Lidar_Station = 19.8 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Depolarization_Factor(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This array is required only for lidar systems that use the two
binietoglou@0:    depolarization channels for the backscatter retrieval. It represents
binietoglou@0:    the factor :math:`f` to calculate the total backscatter signal
binietoglou@0:    :math:`S_t` combining its cross :math:`S_c` and parallel
binietoglou@0:    :math:`S_p` components: :math:`S_t=S_p+fS_c`. This factor is
binietoglou@0:    mandatory only for systems acquiring :math:`S_c` and :math:`S_p`
binietoglou@0:    and not :math:`S_t`. For systems acquiring :math:`S_c`,
binietoglou@0:    :math:`S_p` and :math:`S_t` this factor is optional and it will
binietoglou@0:    be used only for depolarizaton ratio calculation. Moreover only the
binietoglou@0:    values of the array corresponding to cross polarization channels will
binietoglou@0:    be considered; all other values will be not taken into account and
binietoglou@0:    should be set to undefined value. In our example for the wavelength
binietoglou@0:    532nm we have only the cross and the parallel components and not the
binietoglou@0:    total one. So we have to give the value of this factor only in
binietoglou@0:    correspondence of the 532nm cross polarization channel that
binietoglou@0:    corresponds to the channel index 1. Suppose that this factor is 0.88.
binietoglou@0:    Moreover, because we don’t have any other depolarization channels we
binietoglou@0:    have also to set all other values of the array to undefined value.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Depolarization_Factor = _,0.88,_,_ ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: LR_Input(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This array is required only for lidar channels for which elastic
binietoglou@0:    backscatter retrieval has to be performed. It defines the lidar ratio
binietoglou@0:    to be used within this retrieval. Two options are available:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    #. The user can submit a lidar ratio profile. In this case the value
binietoglou@0:       of this variable has to be 0.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    #. A fixed value of lidar ratio can be used. In this case the value
binietoglou@0:       of this variable has to be 1.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    If we decide to use the option 1. a lidar ratio file has to be
binietoglou@0:    submitted separately in NetCDF format (the structure of this file is
binietoglou@0:    summarized in table tab:lr). If we decide to use the option 2. the
binietoglou@0:    fixed value of lidar ratio will be taken from SCC\_DB. In our example
binietoglou@0:    we have to give a value of this array only for the 1064nm lidar
binietoglou@0:    channel because for the 532nm we will be able to retrieve a Raman
binietoglou@0:    backscatter coefficient. In case we want to use the fixed value
binietoglou@0:    stored in SCC\_DB we have to set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        LR_Input = 1,_,_,_ ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: DAQ_Range(channels)
binietoglou@0:    This array is required only if one or more lidar signals are
binietoglou@0:    acquired in analog mode. It gives the analog scale in mV used to
binietoglou@0:    acquire the analog signals. In our example we have only the 1064nm
binietoglou@0:    channel acquired in analog mode. If we have used a 100mV analog scale
binietoglou@0:    to acquire this channel we have to set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        DAQ_Range = 100,_,_,_ ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Global attributes
binietoglou@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Measurement_ID
binietoglou@0:    This mandatory global attribute defines the measurement ID
binietoglou@0:    corresponding to the actual lidar measurement. It is a string
binietoglou@0:    composed by 12 characters. The first 8 characters give the start date
binietoglou@0:    of measurement in the format YYYYMMDD. The next 2 characters give the
binietoglou@0:    Earlinet call-sign of the station. The last 2 characters are used to
binietoglou@0:    distinguish between different time-series within the same date. In
binietoglou@0:    our example we have to set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         Measurement_ID= "20090130cc00" ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: RawData_Start_Date
binietoglou@0:    This mandatory global attribute defines the start date of lidar
binietoglou@0:    measurements in the format YYYYMMDD. In our case we have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         RawData_Start_Date = "20090130" ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: RawData_Start_Time_UT
binietoglou@0:    This mandatory global attribute defines the UT start time of lidar
binietoglou@0:    measurements in the format HHMMSS. In our case we have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         RawData_Start_Time_UT = "000001" ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: RawData_Stop_Time_UT``
binietoglou@0:    This mandatory global attribute defines the UT stop time of lidar
binietoglou@0:    measurements in the format HHMMSS. In our case we have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         RawData_Stop_Time_UT = "000501" ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: RawBck_Start_Date
binietoglou@0:    This optional global attribute defines the start date of dark
binietoglou@0:    measurements in the format YYYYMMDD. In our case we have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         RawBck_Start_Date = "20090129" ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: RawBck_Start_Time_UT
binietoglou@0:    This optional global attribute defines the UT start time of dark
binietoglou@0:    measurements in the format HHMMSS. In our case we have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         RawBck_Start_Time_UT = "235001" ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: RawBck_Stop_Time_UT
binietoglou@0:    This optional global attribute defines the UT stop time of dark
binietoglou@0:    measurements in the format HHMMSS. In our case we have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         RawBck_Stop_Time_UT = "235301" ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Example of file (CDL format)
binietoglou@0: ----------------------------
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: To summarize we have the following NetCDF  Raw Lidar Data file (in CDL
binietoglou@0: format):
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:     dimensions:
binietoglou@0:             points = 5000 ;
binietoglou@0:             channels = 4 ;
binietoglou@0:             time = UNLIMITED ; // (10 currently)
binietoglou@0:             nb_of_time_scales = 2 ;
binietoglou@0:             scan_angles = 1 ;
binietoglou@0:             time_bck = 6 ;
binietoglou@0:     variables:
binietoglou@0:             int channel_ID(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Laser_Repetition_Rate(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Laser_Pointing_Angle(scan_angles) ;
binietoglou@0:             int ID_Range(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Scattering_Mechanism(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Emitted_Wavelength(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Detected_Wavelength(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Raw_Data_Range_Resolution(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Background_Mode(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Background_Low(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Background_High(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Molecular_Calc ;
binietoglou@0:             double Pressure_at_Lidar_Station ;
binietoglou@0:             double Temperature_at_Lidar_Station ;
binietoglou@0:             int id_timescale(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Dead_Time(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Dead_Time_Corr_Type(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Acquisition_Mode(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Trigger_Delay(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             int LR_Input(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Laser_Pointing_Angle_of_Profiles(time, nb_of_time_scales) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Raw_Data_Start_Time(time, nb_of_time_scales) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Raw_Data_Stop_Time(time, nb_of_time_scales) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Raw_Bck_Start_Time(time_bck, nb_of_time_scales) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Raw_Bck_Stop_Time(time_bck, nb_of_time_scales) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Laser_Shots(time, channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Raw_Lidar_Data(time, channels, points) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Background_Profile(time_bck, channels, points) ;
binietoglou@0:             double DAQ_Range(channels) ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:     // global attributes:
binietoglou@0:                     :Measurement_ID = "20090130cc00" ;
binietoglou@0:                     :RawData_Start_Date = "20090130" ;
binietoglou@0:                     :RawData_Start_Time_UT = "000001" ;
binietoglou@0:                     :RawData_Stop_Time_UT = "000501" ;
binietoglou@0:                     :RawBck_Start_Date = "20090129" ;
binietoglou@0:                     :RawBck_Start_Time_UT = "235001" ;
binietoglou@0:                     :RawBck_Stop_Time_UT = "235301" ;
binietoglou@0:            
binietoglou@0:     data:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      channel_ID = 7, 5, 6, 8 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Laser_Repetition_Rate = 50, 50, 50, 50 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Laser_Pointing_Angle = 5 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      ID_Range = 1, 1, 1, 1 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Scattering_Mechanism = 0, 2, 3, 1 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Emitted_Wavelength = 1064, 532, 532, 532 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Detected_Wavelength = 1064, 532, 532, 607 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Raw_Data_Range_Resolution = 7.5, 15, 15, 15 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Background_Mode = 0, 1, 1, 1 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Background_Low = 0, 30000, 30000, 30000 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Background_High = 500, 50000, 50000, 50000 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Molecular_Calc = 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Pressure_at_Lidar_Station = 1010 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Temperature_at_Lidar_Station = 19.8 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      id_timescale = 1, 0, 0, 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Dead_Time = _, 10, 10, 10 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Dead_Time_Corr_Type = _, 0, 0, 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Acquisition_Mode = 0, 1, 1, 1 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Trigger_Delay = 50, 0, 0, 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      LR_Input = 1,_,_,_ ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      DAQ_Range = 100,_,_,_ ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Laser_Pointing_Angle_of_Profiles =
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       _, 0,
binietoglou@0:       _, 0,
binietoglou@0:       _, 0,
binietoglou@0:       _, 0,
binietoglou@0:       _, 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Raw_Data_Start_Time =
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       60, 30,
binietoglou@0:       120, 60,
binietoglou@0:       180, 90,
binietoglou@0:       240, 120,
binietoglou@0:       _, 150,
binietoglou@0:       _, 180,
binietoglou@0:       _, 210,
binietoglou@0:       _, 240,
binietoglou@0:       _, 270 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Raw_Data_Stop_Time =
binietoglou@0:       60, 30,
binietoglou@0:       120, 60,
binietoglou@0:       180, 90,
binietoglou@0:       240, 120,
binietoglou@0:       300, 150,
binietoglou@0:       _, 180,
binietoglou@0:       _, 210,
binietoglou@0:       _, 240,
binietoglou@0:       _, 270,
binietoglou@0:       _, 300 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Raw_Bck_Start_Time =
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       60, 30,
binietoglou@0:       120, 60,
binietoglou@0:       _, 90,
binietoglou@0:       _, 120,
binietoglou@0:       _, 150;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:     Raw_Bck_Stop_Time =
binietoglou@0:       60, 30,
binietoglou@0:       120, 60,
binietoglou@0:       180, 90,
binietoglou@0:       _, 120,
binietoglou@0:       _, 150,
binietoglou@0:       _, 180 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Laser_Shots =
binietoglou@0:       1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, _, _, _, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, _, _, _, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, _, _, _, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, _, _, _, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, _, _, _ ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Raw_Lidar_Data = ... 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Background_Profile = ...
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Please keep in mind that in case you submit a file like the previous one
binietoglou@0: all the parameters present in it will be used by the SCC even if you
binietoglou@0: have different values for the same parameters within the SCC\_DB. If you
binietoglou@0: want to use the values already stored in SCC\_DB (this should be the
binietoglou@0: usual way to use SCC) the  Raw Lidar Data input file has to be
binietoglou@0: modified as follows:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:     dimensions:
binietoglou@0:             points = 5000 ;
binietoglou@0:             channels = 4 ;
binietoglou@0:             time = UNLIMITED ; // (10 currently)
binietoglou@0:             nb_of_time_scales = 2 ;
binietoglou@0:             scan_angles = 1 ;
binietoglou@0:             time_bck = 6 ;
binietoglou@0:     variables:
binietoglou@0:             int channel_ID(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Laser_Pointing_Angle(scan_angles) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Background_Low(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Background_High(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Molecular_Calc ;
binietoglou@0:             double Pressure_at_Lidar_Station ;
binietoglou@0:             double Temperature_at_Lidar_Station ;
binietoglou@0:             int id_timescale(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Laser_Pointing_Angle_of_Profiles(time, nb_of_time_scales) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Raw_Data_Start_Time(time, nb_of_time_scales) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Raw_Data_Stop_Time(time, nb_of_time_scales) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Raw_Bck_Start_Time(time_bck, nb_of_time_scales) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Raw_Bck_Stop_Time(time_bck, nb_of_time_scales) ;
binietoglou@0:             int LR_Input(channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             int Laser_Shots(time, channels) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Raw_Lidar_Data(time, channels, points) ;
binietoglou@0:             double Background_Profile(time_bck, channels, points) ;
binietoglou@0:             double DAQ_Range(channels) ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:     // global attributes:
binietoglou@0:                     :Measurement_ID = "20090130cc00" ;
binietoglou@0:                     :RawData_Start_Date = "20090130" ;  
binietoglou@0:                     :RawData_Start_Time_UT = "000001" ;
binietoglou@0:                     :RawData_Stop_Time_UT = "000501" ;
binietoglou@0:                     :RawBck_Start_Date = "20090129" ;
binietoglou@0:                     :RawBck_Start_Time_UT = "235001" ;
binietoglou@0:                     :RawBck_Stop_Time_UT = "235301" ;
binietoglou@0:         
binietoglou@0:     data:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      channel_ID = 7, 5, 6, 8 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Laser_Pointing_Angle = 5 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Background_Low = 0, 30000, 30000, 30000 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Background_High = 500, 50000, 50000, 50000 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Molecular_Calc = 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Pressure_at_Lidar_Station = 1010 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Temperature_at_Lidar_Station = 19.8 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      id_timescale = 1, 0, 0, 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      LR_Input = 1,_,_,_ ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      DAQ_Range = 100,_,_,_ ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Laser_Pointing_Angle_of_Profiles =
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       _, 0,
binietoglou@0:       _, 0,
binietoglou@0:       _, 0,
binietoglou@0:       _, 0,
binietoglou@0:       _, 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Raw_Data_Start_Time =
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       60, 30,
binietoglou@0:       120, 60,
binietoglou@0:       180, 90,
binietoglou@0:       240, 120,
binietoglou@0:       _, 150,
binietoglou@0:       _, 180,
binietoglou@0:       _, 210,
binietoglou@0:       _, 240,
binietoglou@0:       _, 270 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Raw_Data_Stop_Time =
binietoglou@0:       60, 30,
binietoglou@0:       120, 60,
binietoglou@0:       180, 90,
binietoglou@0:       240, 120,
binietoglou@0:       300, 150,
binietoglou@0:       _, 180,
binietoglou@0:       _, 210,
binietoglou@0:       _, 240,
binietoglou@0:       _, 270,
binietoglou@0:       _, 300 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Raw_Bck_Start_Time =
binietoglou@0:       0, 0,
binietoglou@0:       60, 30,
binietoglou@0:       120, 60,
binietoglou@0:       _, 90,
binietoglou@0:       _, 120,
binietoglou@0:       _, 150;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Raw_Bck_Stop_Time =
binietoglou@0:       60, 30,
binietoglou@0:       120, 60,
binietoglou@0:       180, 90,
binietoglou@0:       _, 120,
binietoglou@0:       _, 150,
binietoglou@0:       _, 180 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Laser_Shots =
binietoglou@0:       1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, 3000, 3000, 3000, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, _, _, _, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, _, _, _, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, _, _, _, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, _, _, _, 
binietoglou@0:       1500, _, _, _ ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Raw_Lidar_Data = ...
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:      Background_Profile = ... 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: This example file contains the minimum collection of mandatory
binietoglou@0: information that has to be found within the  Raw Lidar Data input
binietoglou@0: file. If it is really necessary, the user can decide to add to these
binietoglou@0: mandatory parameters any number of additional parameters considered in
binietoglou@0: the previous example.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Finally, suppose we want to make the following changes with respect to
binietoglou@0: the previous example:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: #. use a sounding file for molecular density calculation instead of “US
binietoglou@0:    Standar Atmosphere 1976”
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: #. supply a lidar ratio profile to use in elastic backscatter retrieval
binietoglou@0:    instead of a fixed value
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: #. provide a overlap function for overlap correction
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: In this case we have to generate the following NetCDF additional files:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: rs_20090130cc00.nc
binietoglou@0:     The name of  Sounding Data file has to be computed as follows:
binietoglou@0:     ``"rs_"``+``Measurement_ID``
binietoglou@0:     The structure of this file is summarized in table tab:sounding.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: ov_20090130cc00.nc
binietoglou@0:     The name of  Overlap file has to be computed as follows:
binietoglou@0:     ``"ov_"``+``Measurement_ID``
binietoglou@0:     The structure of this file is summarized in table tab:overlap.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: lr_20090130cc00.nc
binietoglou@0:     The name of  Lidar Ratio file has to be computed as follows:
binietoglou@0:     ``"lr_"``+``Measurement_ID``
binietoglou@0:     The structure of this file is summarized in table tab:lr.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Moreover we need to apply the following changes to the  Raw Lidar Data
binietoglou@0: input file:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 1. Change the value of the variable ``Molecular_Calc`` as follows:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Molecular_Calc = 1 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    Of course the variables ``Pressure_at_Lidar_Station`` and
binietoglou@0:    ``Temperature_at_Lidar_Station`` are not necessary anymore.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 2. Change the values of the array ``LR_Input`` as follows:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        LR_Input = 0,_,_,_ ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 3. Add the global attribute ``Sounding_File_Name``
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Sounding_File_Name = "rs_20090130cc00.nc" ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 5. Add the global attribute ``LR_File_Name``
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        LR_File_Name = "lr_20090130cc00.nc" ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 6. Add the global attribute ``Overlap_File_Name``
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Overlap_File_Name = "ov_20090130cc00.nc" ;