ioannis@41: .. _netcdf_file:
ioannis@38: 
binietoglou@0: The SCC netCDF file format
binietoglou@0: ==========================
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: A more detailed version of this document can be found in this :download:`pdf file <files/NetCDF_input_file_v3.pdf>`.
ioannis@31: 
ulalume3@60: .. note::
ulalume3@60: 
ulalume3@60:    You can check the format of the files you create using the linked `script <https://bitbucket.org/iannis_b/scc-netcdf-checker>`_ .
ulalume3@60: 
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@0: Rationale
binietoglou@0: ---------
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: The Single Calculus Chain (SCC) is composed by three different modules:
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@89: -  pre-processing module (*ELPP*)
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  optical processing module (*ELDA*)
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  depolarization calibrator module (*ELDEC*)
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@89: parameter is found in the input files, the SCC will keep it without
binietoglou@0: looking into SCC\_DB.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: The input files have to be submitted to the SCC in NetCDF format. At 
binietoglou@0: present the SCC can handle four different types of input files:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: 1. Raw Lidar Data
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@0: 2. Sounding Data
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@0: 3. Overlap
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@0: 4. Lidar Ratio
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: 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@89: pre-processing and optical processing. The *Sounding Data* file contains
binietoglou@89: the data coming from a correlative radiosounding and it is used by the
binietoglou@89: SCC for molecular density calculation. The *Overlap* file contains the
binietoglou@89: measured overlap function. The *Lidar Ratio* file contains a lidar ratio
binietoglou@89: profile to use in elastic backscatter retrievals. The *Raw Lidar Data*
binietoglou@89: file is of course mandatory and the *Sounding Data*, *Overlap* and
binietoglou@89: *Lidar Ratio* files are optional. If *Sounding Data* file is not
binietoglou@89: submitted by the user, the molecular density will be calculated by the
binietoglou@89: SCC using the "US Standard Atmosphere 1976". If the *Overlap* file is
binietoglou@89: not submitted by the user, the SCC will get the full overlap height from
binietoglou@89: SCC\_DB and it will produce optical results starting from this height.
binietoglou@89: If *Lidar Ratio* file is not submitted by the user, the SCC will
binietoglou@89: 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@89: course the file *Raw Lidar Data* is mandatory). For example the user can
binietoglou@89: submit together with the *Raw Lidar Data* file only the *Sounding Data*
binietoglou@89: file or only the *Overlap* file.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: This document provides a detailed example about the structure of
binietoglou@89: the NetCDF input files to use for SCC data submission. All Earlinet
binietoglou@89: groups should read it carefully because they have to produce such kind
binietoglou@89: of input files if they want to use the SCC for their standard lidar
binietoglou@89: retrievals.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: Additionaly, the linked :download:`pdf file <files/NetCDF_input_file_v3.pdf>` contains
binietoglou@89: tables with all mandatory and optional variables for the netcdf files
binietoglou@89: accepted by the SCC. Table 1 contains a list of dimensions, variables and
binietoglou@89: global attributes that can be used in the NetCDF *Raw Lidar Data*
binietoglou@89: input 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@89: 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@89: optional global attributes must not appear within *Raw Lidar Data* file.
binietoglou@89: This is the suggested and recommended way to use the SCC. Please include
binietoglou@89: optional parameters in the *Raw Lidar Data* only as an exception.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: Tables 2, 3, and 4 report all the
binietoglou@89: information about the structure of *Sounding Data*, *Overlap* and *Lidar
binietoglou@89: Ratio* input files respectively.
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Example
binietoglou@0: -------
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: 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@89: | Start Date           | 30\ :sup:`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@89: 
binietoglou@0: Moreover suppose that this measurement is composed by the following
binietoglou@0: lidar channels:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: #. 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@89: #. 532 cross lidar channel
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89:    +-----------------------------+------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | Emission wavelength=532nm   | Detection wavelength=532nm               |
binietoglou@89:    +-----------------------------+------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | Time resolution=60s         | Number of laser shots=3000               |
binietoglou@89:    +-----------------------------+------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | Number of bins=5000         | Detection mode=photoncounting            |
binietoglou@89:    +-----------------------------+------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | Range resolution=15m        | Polarization state=cross (transmitted)   |
binietoglou@89:    +-----------------------------+------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: #. 532 parallel lidar channel
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89:    +-----------------------------+-------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | Emission wavelength=532nm   | Detection wavelength=532nm                |
binietoglou@89:    +-----------------------------+-------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | Time resolution=60s         | Number of laser shots=3000                |
binietoglou@89:    +-----------------------------+-------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | Number of bins=5000         | Detection mode=photoncounting             |
binietoglou@89:    +-----------------------------+-------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | Range resolution=15m        | Polarization state=parallel (reflected)   |
binietoglou@89:    +-----------------------------+-------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: #. | 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@89:    | Range resolution=15m        |                                 |
binietoglou@0:    +-----------------------------+---------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: 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@89: 29\ :sup:`th` January 2009.
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: Dimensions
binietoglou@0: ~~~~~~~~~~
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: Looking at table 1 of the pdf file 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: 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@89: 
binietoglou@0: Variables
binietoglou@0: ~~~~~~~~~
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0: In this section it will be explained how to fill all the possible
binietoglou@89: variables either mandatory or optional of *Raw Lidar Data* input file.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``Raw_Data_Start_Time(time, nb_of_time_scales)``
binietoglou@89:    | This 2 dimensional mandatory array has to contain the acquisition
binietoglou@89:      start time (in seconds from the time given by the global attribute
binietoglou@89:      ``RawData_Start_Time_UT``) of each lidar profile. In this example
binietoglou@89:      we have two different time scales: one is characterized by steps of
binietoglou@89:      30 seconds (the 1064nm is acquired with this time scale) the other
binietoglou@89:      by steps of 60 seconds (532cross, 532parallel and 607nm). Moreover
binietoglou@89:      the measurement start time is 00:00:01 UT and the measurement stop
binietoglou@89:      time 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@89: -  | ``Raw_Data_Stop_Time(time, nb_of_time_scales)``
binietoglou@89:    | The same as previous item but for the data acquisition stop time.
binietoglou@89:      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@89: -  | ``Raw_Lidar_Data(time, channels, points)``
binietoglou@89:    | This 3 dimensional mandatory array has to be filled with the
binietoglou@89:      time-series of raw lidar data. The photoncounting profiles have to
binietoglou@89:      submitted in counts (so as integers) while the analog ones in mV.
binietoglou@89:      The order the user chooses to fill this array defines the
binietoglou@89:      correspondence between channel index and lidar data.
binietoglou@89:    | For example if we fill this array in such way that:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89:    +-------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | ``Raw_Lidar_Data(time,0,points)``   |  is the time-series of 1064 nm        |
binietoglou@89:    +-------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | ``Raw_Lidar_Data(time,1,points)``   |  is the time-series of 532 cross      |
binietoglou@89:    +-------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | ``Raw_Lidar_Data(time,2,points)``   |  is the time-series of 532 parallel   |
binietoglou@89:    +-------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | ``Raw_Lidar_Data(time,3,points)``   |  is the time-series of 607 nm         |
binietoglou@89:    +-------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89:    | 
binietoglou@89:    | from now on the channel index 0 is associated to the 1064 channel,
binietoglou@89:      1 to the 532 cross, 2 to the 532 parallel and 3 to the 607nm.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``Raw_Bck_Start_Time(time_bck, nb_of_time_scales)``
binietoglou@89:    | This 2 dimensional optional array has to contain the acquisition
binietoglou@89:      start time (in seconds from the time given by the global attribute
binietoglou@89:      ``RawBck_Start_Time_UT``) of each dark measurements profile.
binietoglou@89:      Following the same procedure used for the variable
binietoglou@89:      ``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@89: -  | ``Raw_Bck_Stop_Time(time_bck, nb_of_time_scales)``
binietoglou@89:    | The same as previous item but for the dark acquisition stop time.
binietoglou@89:      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@89: -  | ``Background_Profile(time_bck, channels, points)``
binietoglou@89:    | This 3 dimensional optional array has to be filled with the
binietoglou@89:      time-series of the dark measurements data. The photoncounting
binietoglou@89:      profiles have to submitted in counts (so as integers) while the
binietoglou@89:      analog ones in mV. The user has to fill this array following the
binietoglou@89:      same order used in filling the array ``Raw_Lidar_Data``:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89:    +---------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | ``Background_Profile(time_bck,0,points)``   |  dark time-series at 1064 nm        |
binietoglou@89:    +---------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | ``Background_Profile(time_bck,1,points)``   |  dark time-series at 532 cross      |
binietoglou@89:    +---------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | ``Background_Profile(time_bck,2,points)``   |  dark time-series at 532 parallel   |
binietoglou@89:    +---------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | ``Background_Profile(time_bck,3,points)``   |  dark time-series at 607 nm         |
binietoglou@89:    +---------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@89:    | 
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``channel_ID(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This mandatory array provides the link between the channel index
binietoglou@89:      within the *Raw Lidar Data* input file and the channel ID in
binietoglou@89:      SCC\_DB. To fill this variable the user has to know which channel
binietoglou@89:      IDs in SCC\_DB correspond to his lidar channels. For this purpose
binietoglou@89:      the SCC, in its final version will provide to the user a special
binietoglou@89:      tool to get these channel IDs through a Web interface. At the
binietoglou@89:      moment this interface is not yet available and these channel IDs
binietoglou@89:      will be communicated directly to the user by the NA5 people.
binietoglou@89:    | Anyway to continue the example let’s suppose that the four lidar
binietoglou@89:      channels taken into account are mapped into SCC\_DB with the
binietoglou@89:      following channel IDs:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89:    +----------------+-----------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 1064 nm        |  channel ID=7   |
binietoglou@89:    +----------------+-----------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 532 cross      |  channel ID=5   |
binietoglou@89:    +----------------+-----------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 532 parallel   |  channel ID=6   |
binietoglou@89:    +----------------+-----------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 607 nm         |  channel ID=8   |
binietoglou@89:    +----------------+-----------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89:    | 
binietoglou@89:    | In this case we have to define:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        channel_ID = 7, 5, 6, 8 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``id_timescale(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This mandatory array is introduced to determine which time scale is
binietoglou@89:      used for the acquisition of each lidar channel. In particular this
binietoglou@89:      array defines the link between the channel index and the time scale
binietoglou@89:      index. In our example we have two different time scales. Filling
binietoglou@89:      the arrays ``Raw_Data_Start_Time`` and ``Raw_Data_Stop_Time`` we
binietoglou@89:      have defined a time scale index of 0 for the time scale with steps
binietoglou@89:      of 60 seconds and a time scale index of 1 for the other one with
binietoglou@89:      steps of 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@89: -  | ``Laser_Pointing_Angle(scan_angles)``
binietoglou@89:    | This mandatory array contains all the scan angles used in the
binietoglou@89:      measurement. In our example we have only one scan angle of 5
binietoglou@89:      degrees 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@89: -  | ``Laser_Pointing_Angle_of_Profiles(time, nb_of_time_scales)``
binietoglou@89:    | This mandatory array is introduced to determine which scan angle is
binietoglou@89:      used for the acquisition of each lidar profile. In particular this
binietoglou@89:      array defines the link between the time and time scales indexes and
binietoglou@89:      the scan angle index. In our example we have a single scan angle
binietoglou@89:      that has to correspond to the scan angle index 0. So this array has
binietoglou@89:      to be 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@89: -  | ``Laser_Shots(time, channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This mandatory array stores the laser shots accumulated at each
binietoglou@89:      time for each channel. In our example the number of laser shots
binietoglou@89:      accumulated is 1500 for the 1064nm channels and 3000 for all the
binietoglou@89:      other channels. Moreover the laser shots do not change with the
binietoglou@89:      time. 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@89: -  | ``Emitted_Wavelength(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional array defines the link between the channel index and
binietoglou@89:      the emission wavelength for each lidar channel. The wavelength has
binietoglou@89:      to be expressed in nm. This information can be also taken from
binietoglou@89:      SCC\_DB. In our example we have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Emitted_Wavelength = 1064, 532, 532, 532 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``Detected_Wavelength(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional array defines the link between the channel index and
binietoglou@89:      the detected wavelength for each lidar channel. Here detected
binietoglou@89:      wavelength means the value of center of interferential filter
binietoglou@89:      expressed in nm. This information can be also taken from SCC\_DB.
binietoglou@89:      In our example we have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Detected_Wavelength = 1064, 532, 532, 607 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``Raw_Data_Range_Resolution(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional array defines the link between the channel index and
binietoglou@89:      the raw range resolution for each channel. If the scan angle is
binietoglou@89:      different from zero this quantity is different from the vertical
binietoglou@89:      resolution. More precisely if :math:`\alpha` is the scan angle used
binietoglou@89:      and :math:`\Delta z` is the range resolution the vertical
binietoglou@89:      resolution is calculated as :math:`\Delta
binietoglou@89:       z'=\Delta z \cos\alpha`. This array has to be filled with
binietoglou@89:      :math:`\Delta z` and not with :math:`\Delta z'`. The unit is
binietoglou@89:      meters. This information can be also taken from SCC\_DB. In our
binietoglou@89:      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@89: -  | ``Scattering_Mechanism(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional array defines the scattering mechanism involved in
binietoglou@89:      each lidar channel. In particular the following values are adopted:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89:    +-----+---------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 0   |  Total elastic backscatter                        |
binietoglou@89:    +-----+---------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 1   |  N\ :math:`_2` vibrational Raman backscatter      |
binietoglou@89:    +-----+---------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 2   |  Cross polarization elastic backscatter           |
binietoglou@89:    +-----+---------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 3   |  Parallel polarization elastic backscatter        |
binietoglou@89:    +-----+---------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 4   |  H\ :math:`_2`\ O vibrational Raman backscatter   |
binietoglou@89:    +-----+---------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 5   |  Rotational Raman low quantum number              |
binietoglou@89:    +-----+---------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 6   |  Rotational Raman high quantum number             |
binietoglou@89:    +-----+---------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89:    | 
binietoglou@89:    | This information can be also taken from SCC\_DB. In our example we
binietoglou@89:      have:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         Scattering_Mechanism = 0, 2, 3, 1 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``Signal_Type(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional array defines the type of signal involved in each
binietoglou@89:      lidar channel. In particular the following values are adopted:
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 0    |  Total elastic                                               |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 1    |  Total elastic near range                                    |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 2    |  Total elastic far range                                     |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 3    |  N\ :math:`_2` vibrational Raman                             |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 4    |  N\ :math:`_2` vibrational Raman near range                  |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 5    |  N\ :math:`_2` vibrational Raman far range                   |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 6    |  Elastic polarization reflected                              |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 7    |  Elastic polarization transmitted                            |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 8    |  Rotational Raman line close to elastic line                 |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 9    |  Rotational Raman line far from elastic line                 |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 10   |  Elastic polarization reflected near range                   |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 11   |  Elastic polarization reflected far range                    |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 12   |  Elastic polarization transmitted near range                 |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 13   |  Elastic polarization transmitted far range                  |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 14   |  H\ :math:`_2`\ O vibrational Raman backscatter              |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 15   |  Rotational Raman line far from elastic line near range      |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 16   |  Rotational Raman line far from elastic line far range       |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 17   |  Rotational Raman line close to elastic line near range      |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 18   |  Rotational Raman line close to elastic line far range       |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 19   |  H\ :math:`_2`\ O vibrational Raman backscatter near range   |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 20   |  H\ :math:`_2`\ O vibrational Raman backscatter far range    |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 21   |  Total elastic ultra near range                              |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 22   |  +45 rotated elastic polarization transmitted                |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 23   |  +45 rotated elastic polarization reflected                  |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 24   |  -45 rotated elastic polarization transmitted                |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 25   |  -45 rotated elastic polarization reflected                  |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 26   |  +45 rotated elastic polarization transmitted near range     |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 27   |  +45 rotated elastic polarization transmitted far range      |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 28   |  +45 rotated elastic polarization reflected near range       |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 29   |  +45 rotated elastic polarization reflected far range        |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 30   |  -45 rotated elastic polarization transmitted near range     |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 31   |  -45 rotated elastic polarization transmitted far range      |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 32   |  -45 rotated elastic polarization reflected near range       |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89:    | 33   |  -45 rotated elastic polarization reflected far range        |
binietoglou@89:    +------+--------------------------------------------------------------+
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@89:    | 
binietoglou@89:    | This information can be also taken from SCC\_DB. In our example we
binietoglou@89:      have:
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@89:    ::
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@89:         Signal_Type = 0, 7, 6, 3 ;
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``Acquisition_Mode(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional array defines the acquisition mode (analog or
binietoglou@89:      photoncounting) involved in each lidar channel. In particular a
binietoglou@89:      value of 0 means analog mode and 1 photoncounting mode. This
binietoglou@89:      information 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@89: -  | ``Laser_Repetition_Rate(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional array defines the repetition rate in Hz used to
binietoglou@89:      acquire each lidar channel. This information can be also taken from
binietoglou@89:      SCC\_DB. In our example we are supposing we have only one laser
binietoglou@89:      with 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@89: -  | ``Dead_Time(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional array defines the dead time in ns associated to each
binietoglou@89:      lidar channel. The SCC will use the values given by this array to
binietoglou@89:      correct the photoncounting signals for dead time. Of course for
binietoglou@89:      analog signals no dead time correction will be applied (for analog
binietoglou@89:      channels the corresponding dead time values have to be set to
binietoglou@89:      undefined value). This information can be also taken from SCC\_DB.
binietoglou@89:      In our example the 1064 nm channel is acquired in analog mode so
binietoglou@89:      the corresponding dead time value has to be undefined. If we
binietoglou@89:      suppose a 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@89: -  | ``Dead_Time_Corr_Type(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional array defines which kind of dead time correction has
binietoglou@89:      to be applied on each photoncounting channel. The SCC will correct
binietoglou@89:      the data supposing a not-paralyzable channel if a value of 0 is
binietoglou@89:      found while a paralyzable channel is supposed if a value of 1 is
binietoglou@89:      found. Of course for analog signals no dead time correction will be
binietoglou@89:      applied and so the corresponding values have to be set to undefined
binietoglou@89:      value. This information can be also taken from SCC\_DB. In our
binietoglou@89:      example the 1064 nm channel is acquired in analog mode so the
binietoglou@89:      corresponding has to be undefined. If we want to consider all the
binietoglou@89:      photoncounting signals as 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@89: -  | ``Trigger_Delay(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional array defines the delay (in ns) of the middle of the
binietoglou@89:      first rangebin with respect to the output laser pulse for each
binietoglou@89:      lidar channel. The SCC will use the values given by this array to
binietoglou@89:      correct for trigger delay. This information can be also taken from
binietoglou@89:      SCC\_DB. Let’s suppose that in our example all the photoncounting
binietoglou@89:      channels are not affected by this delay and only the analog channel
binietoglou@89:      at 1064nm is acquired with a delay of 50ns. In this case we have to
binietoglou@89:      set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Trigger_Delay = 50, 0, 0, 0 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``Background_Mode(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional array defines how the atmospheric background has to
binietoglou@89:      be subtracted from the lidar channel. Two options are available for
binietoglou@89:      the 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@89: -  | ``Background_Low(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This mandatory array defines the minimum altitude (in meters) to
binietoglou@89:      consider in calculating the atmospheric background for each
binietoglou@89:      channel. In case pre-trigger mode is used the corresponding value
binietoglou@89:      has to be set to the rangebin to be used as lower limit (within
binietoglou@89:      pre-trigger region) for background calculation. In our example, if
binietoglou@89:      we want to calculate the background between 30000 and 50000 meters
binietoglou@89:      for all photoncounting channels and we want to use the first 500
binietoglou@89:      pre-trigger bins for the background calculation for the 1064nm
binietoglou@89:      channel we have to set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         Background_Low= 0, 30000, 30000, 30000 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``Background_High(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This mandatory array defines the maximum altitude (in meters) to
binietoglou@89:      consider in calculating the atmospheric background for each
binietoglou@89:      channel. In case pre-trigger mode is used the corresponding value
binietoglou@89:      has to be set to the rangebin to be used as upper limit (within
binietoglou@89:      pre-trigger region) for background calculation. In our example, if
binietoglou@89:      we want to calculate the background between 30000 and 50000 meters
binietoglou@89:      for all photoncounting channels and we want to use the first 500
binietoglou@89:      pre-trigger bins for the background calculation for the 1064nm
binietoglou@89:      channel we have to set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Background_High = 500, 50000, 50000, 50000 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``Molecular_Calc``
binietoglou@89:    | This mandatory variable defines the way used by SCC to calculate
binietoglou@89:      the molecular density profile. At the moment two options are
binietoglou@89:      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@89:    summarized in table 2 of the pdf file). 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@89: -  | ``Pressure_at_Lidar_Station``
binietoglou@89:    | Because we have chosen the US Standard Atmosphere for calculation
binietoglou@89:      of the molecular density profile we have to give the pressure in
binietoglou@89:      hPa at lidar station level:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Pressure_at_Lidar_Station = 1010 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``Temperature_at_Lidar_Station``
binietoglou@89:    | Because we have chosen the US Standard Atmosphere for calculation
binietoglou@89:      of the molecular density profile we have to give the temperature in
binietoglou@89:      C at lidar station level:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Temperature_at_Lidar_Station = 19.8 ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``LR_Input(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This array is required only for lidar channels for which elastic
binietoglou@89:      backscatter retrieval has to be performed. It defines the lidar
binietoglou@89:      ratio 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@89:    summarized in table ). 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@89: -  | ``DAQ_Range(channels)``
binietoglou@89:    | This array is required only if one or more lidar signals are
binietoglou@89:      acquired in analog mode. It gives the analog scale in mV used to
binietoglou@89:      acquire the analog signals. In our example we have only the 1064nm
binietoglou@89:      channel acquired in analog mode. If we have used a 100mV analog
binietoglou@89:      scale to acquire this channel we have to set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        DAQ_Range = 100,_,_,_ ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@0: Global attributes
binietoglou@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``Measurement_ID``
binietoglou@89:    | This mandatory global attribute defines the measurement ID
binietoglou@89:      corresponding to the actual lidar measurement. It is a string
binietoglou@89:      composed by 12 characters. The first 8 characters give the start
binietoglou@89:      date of measurement in the format YYYYMMDD. The next 2 characters
binietoglou@89:      give the Earlinet call-sign of the station. The last 2 characters
binietoglou@89:      are used to distinguish between different time-series within the
binietoglou@89:      same date. In our example we have to set:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:         Measurement_ID= "20090130cc00" ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``RawData_Start_Date``
binietoglou@89:    | This mandatory global attribute defines the start date of lidar
binietoglou@89:      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@89: -  | ``RawData_Start_Time_UT``
binietoglou@89:    | This mandatory global attribute defines the UT start time of lidar
binietoglou@89:      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@89: -  | ``RawData_Stop_Time_UT``
binietoglou@89:    | This mandatory global attribute defines the UT stop time of lidar
binietoglou@89:      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@89: -  | ``RawBck_Start_Date``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional global attribute defines the start date of dark
binietoglou@89:      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@89: -  | ``RawBck_Start_Time_UT``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional global attribute defines the UT start time of dark
binietoglou@89:      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@89: -  | ``RawBck_Stop_Time_UT``
binietoglou@89:    | This optional global attribute defines the UT stop time of dark
binietoglou@89:      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@89: 
binietoglou@0: Example of file (CDL format)
binietoglou@89: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: 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@89:             int Signal_Type(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@89:      Signal_Type = 0, 7, 6, 3 ;
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@89: The name of the input file should have the following format:
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@89: ::
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@89:     Measurement_ID.nc
binietoglou@89: 
binietoglou@89: | so in the example the filename should be 20090130cc00.nc.
binietoglou@89:   
binietoglou@89: Please keep in mind that in case you submit a file like the previous
binietoglou@89: one all the parameters present in it will be used by the SCC even if
binietoglou@89: you have different values for the same parameters within the SCC\_DB.
binietoglou@89: If you want to use the values already stored in SCC\_DB (this should
binietoglou@89: be the 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@89: information that has to be found within the *Raw Lidar Data* input file.
binietoglou@89: If it is really necessary, the user can decide to add to these mandatory
binietoglou@89: parameters any number of additional parameters considered in the
binietoglou@89: 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@89: -  | ``rs_20090130cc00.nc``
binietoglou@89:    | The name of *Sounding Data* file has to be computed as follows:
binietoglou@89:    | ``"rs_"``\ +\ ``Measurement_ID``
binietoglou@89:    | The structure of this file is summarized in table 2 of the pdf.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``ov_20090130cc00.nc``
binietoglou@89:    | The name of *Overlap* file has to be computed as follows:
binietoglou@89:    | ``"ov_"``\ +\ ``Measurement_ID``
binietoglou@89:    | The structure of this file is summarized in table 3 of the pdf.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: -  | ``lr_20090130cc00.nc``
binietoglou@89:    | The name of *Lidar Ratio* file has to be computed as follows:
binietoglou@89:    | ``"lr_"``\ +\ ``Measurement_ID``
binietoglou@89:    | The structure of this file is summarized in table 4 of the pdf.
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: Moreover we need to apply the following changes to the *Raw Lidar Data*
binietoglou@0: input file:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: #. 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@89: #. Change the values of the array ``LR_Input`` as follows:
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        LR_Input = 0,_,_,_ ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: #. Add the global attribute ``Sounding_File_Name``
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Sounding_File_Name = "rs_20090130cc00.nc" ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: #. Add the global attribute ``LR_File_Name``
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        LR_File_Name = "lr_20090130cc00.nc" ;
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@89: #. Add the global attribute ``Overlap_File_Name``
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:    ::
binietoglou@0: 
binietoglou@0:        Overlap_File_Name = "ov_20090130cc00.nc" ;
binietoglou@89: