/Weather measurement
GPS wind finding status
Updated July 16th 2009 10UTC
The purpose of this web page is to help Vaisala customers perform a correction for their radiosonde ground receiving systems. The page includes:
- SW correction packages for all versions of radiosonde ground receiving systems
- Documents to assist in MW15, MW12 and MW11 upgrades
- Contact information to GPS Hot Fix Support Center
- Email and html form links for update notification to GPS Hot Fix Support Center
- Vaisala has detected a software defect in its sounding ground receiving equipment, relating to GPS data quality control
- Due to the defect, the soundings with uncorrected ground receiving systems lack wind information or it is not possible to initiate a sounding with GPS wind finding. PTU soundings are possible by selecting a PTU-only mode (instructions below)
- The problem does not affect soundings with Loran-C radiosondes (such as RS92-KL) or PTU-only radiosondes (such as RS92-K). The problem does not affect soundings with RS80-generation GPS radiosondes (such as RS80-15G)
- The latest information and status reports can be found on this website
- In cases of questions, please contact Vaisala helpdesk (helpdesk@vaisala.com) or your Vaisala Account Manager
GPS Hot Fix Support Center
Vaisala has founded a GPS Hot Fix Support Center to provide support for customers in installing the GPS wind finding SW correction package. The services of this center are available to customers until further notice. The center concentrates 100% to support customers in recovering from the GPS wind finding problem. The center personnel serves primarily in the English language.To contact the center:
• email: helpdesk@vaisala.com
In addition to support by email, you can request to be contacted by the GPS Hot Fix Support Center by phone at a time suitable for you. You can use the contact information above to submit such a request to the center. Please allow reasonable time between your contact and the requested call-back time.
SW correction packages
Please make sure to select the correct SW correction package for your system using the links in the tables below.
The SW correction package for AUTOSONDE, MW31 and MW21 systems is a single .exe file that performs the following functions:
1. It detects the current installation of the DigiCora III SW in the system, and checks the version of the SW
2. It creates a backup copy of the file to be replaced (gpsdcc.dll to gpsdcc.bak)
3. It installs the corrected version of the file, for that particular SW version, to the system (replaces the existing gpsdcc.dll with the corrected one, for that SW version)
The SW correction packages for MW15, MW12 and MW11 systems are specific to the current version of MWG card firmware.
How do I check which version of the SW my system has?
In AUTOSONDE, MW31 and MW21 systems it is not necessary to check the version of the SW before running the installation package, because it will detect your SW version and perform the right correction procedure for it. However, if you want to check the SW version of your sounding system, please check the following Windows registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Vaisala\DigiCoraIII
In MW15, MW12 and MW11 systems please refer to the installation instruction document (link given below).
How do I revert back from the installation?
In AUTOSONDE, MW31 and MW21 systems, uninstall the DigiCORA GPShotFix using the Add/Remove Programs tool of the Windows operating system. Add/Remove Programs tool is typically found in the Control Panel of the operating system. However, we have no reports of any case in which the uninstall was necessary.
AUTOSONDE:
|
SW version |
Link to SW correction package |
Comments |
|
3.52.1 and 3.52 |
Do not install this version to systems which have SW version 3.52.2 or 3.52.3 | |
|
3.52.3 and 3.52.2 |
Special correction delivered individually to customers |
All known installations of these special SW versions have been corrected. |
MW31 and MW21:
|
SW version |
Link to SW correction package |
Comments |
|
3.61.1 and 3.61 |
Same installation program for all AUTOSONDE, MW31 and MW21 systems | |
|
3.52.1 and 3.52 |
Same installation program for all AUTOSONDE, MW31 and MW21 systems | |
|
3.51 |
Same installation program for all AUTOSONDE, MW31 and MW21 systems | |
|
3.12 |
Same installation program for all AUTOSONDE, MW31 and MW21 systems | |
|
2.17 |
Same installation program for all AUTOSONDE, MW31 and MW21 systems |
MW22M
The MW22M systems require the correction only in case RS92-SGP sondes are used with it. The defect does not affect the soundings performed with RS92-AM sondes.
|
SW version |
Link to SW correction package |
Comments |
|
3.12 (all systems have this SW version) |
Testing complete. The upgrade for MW22M systems is available via helpdesk@vaisala.com. The customers are contacted separately and individually. |
MW15, MW12 and MW11
Installation instructions for MWG2xx Card Firmware GPS Upgrade: M2110034EN-A.pdf. Notice that upgrading the firmware software requires a PC and a serial cable, such as the one used with METGRAPH software. Appendix A of the installation instruction includes the connection diagrams of the applicable cables. Please contact the GPS Hot Fix Support Center by emailing helpdesk@vaisala.com if you have problems installing the firmware upgrade or if you need the required cable.
|
MWG version |
Current firmware version |
Link to SW correction package |
|
MWG211 |
5.04 |
SW correction package MWG211_504B.zip |
|
MWG210 and |
5.04 |
SW correction package MWG210_504B.zip |
|
MWG210 and |
5.02A |
SW correction package MWG210_502B.zip |
|
MWG203 and |
5.02A (all systems using RS92 have this version) |
SW correction package MWG203_502B.zip |
|
MWG201A |
5.02A (all systems using RS92 have this version) |
SW correction package MWG201A_502B.zip |
|
MWG201 |
5.02A (all systems using RS92 have this version) |
SW correction package MWG201_502B.zip |
SW correction notification to Vaisala
Once you have downloaded and installed the software correction package, kindly inform about a successful upgrade to helpdesk@vaisala.com. We would appreciate this, because it helps us keep track on the progress of the upgrades. If there is any need for support on installing the software correction packages, please contact helpdesk@vaisala.com or contact the GPS Hot Fix Support Center.
Please use the following link for notification:
Questions and answers
What is the problem about?
After June 20th 2009, Vaisala DigiCora sounding systems MW11, MW12, MW15, MW21, and MW31, including AUTOSONDE systems, are malfunctioning when used for GPS soundings, unless a SW correction package is installed. Soundings performed with Loran-C radio navigation system or with PTU-only sondes are not affected. Soundings performed with older generation RS80-15G GPS radiosondes are not affected, because the type of GPS processing related to these radiosondes is different.
What is causing the problem?
The problem is caused by a defect in software responsible for GPS data quality control. The defect is related to the recent change of the GPS almanac week from week 512 to 513, and a failure of the software to handle GPS week larger than 512 correctly.
How does the software problem show in uncorrected Vaisala's equipment?
Typically, it is not possible to initiate a sounding with GPS wind type activated [manual sounding systems]. Alternatively, all GPS wind data is missing [AUTOSONDE sounding systems].
Is the problem in the ground system, in the radiosonde, or both?
The problem is in the ground receiving system. The problem is not in the radiosonde and it has no effect on the radiosondes.
Does this affect dropsonde operations?
No. Although dropsonde systems include MWG cards, the software is different and the defect is not in the software of the dropsonde systems.
When was the problem detected?
The problem started on June 21st, and the first reports came to Vaisala on Monday, June 22nd around 02:00 UTC. The first SW correction packages were published on June 23rd around 10:15 UTC, and the full set of SW correction packages for all versions was published on June 25th around 10:00 UTC.
How does the system indicate the problem?
The message received can read e.g. "GPS not synchronized" or when radiosonde is taken outdoors, the message can read e.g. "Warning - insufficient data".
What do the customers need to do?
Please install the SW correction package to your system as soon as possible. You will then be able to continue sounding operations normally.
If the installation of the SW correction package is not possible immediately, we recommend that the soundings are performed in PTU-only mode, until the correction can be installed. The PTU-only mode soundings can be performed as follows:
MW11, MW12 and MW15:
Select wind type: choose none (not GPS)
MW21 and MW31:
Selecting Sonde - Radiosonde Properties
Choose Wind Type: none
AUTOSONDE:
To deactivate the missing zero wind check in AUTOSONDE systems, set parameter in the registry of AUTOSONDE Local Computer:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Vaisala\SE\SNDC\IgnoreMissingZeroWind
Set the parameter value: 1
The system then ignores missing zero wind and is able to perform a PTU sounding.
Note that there is no need to change the Radiosonde Properties - Wind Type: none
If the sounding is set to use GPS-derived height instead of pressure, and I need to perform a PTU-only sounding, what do I need to do?
We recommend changing the following parameter in DigiCORA III parameter database: SYSPAR\PTUEditing\ComputePressureUsingGPSHeight
Set the parameter value: 0
Can I retrieve the wind information from the raw data later?
In PTU-only mode, the wind information is not stored and it is not retrievable [manual sounding systems]. If you have sounding database files (.dc3db) which include the raw GPS data, the wind information can be retrieved later with a corrected software version [AUTOSONDE sounding systems].
How can the situation be resolved - temporarily and permanently?
The installation of the software correction package resolves the situation.
If the installation of the SW correction package is not possible, the soundings can be performed temporarily in PTU-only mode as instructed above. In case you need help with the installation of the SW correction package, do no hesitate to contact GPS Hot Fix Support Center by emailing helpdesk@vaisala.com for installation support.
What is Vaisala doing to resolve the situation?
We immediately started analysis and corrective actions related to the problem with all the necessary resources. The root cause was identified on June 22nd, around 10:30 UTC, to be a software defect in GPS wind quality control. The first test soundings with the corrected software version were launched on June 22nd, around 12:00 UTC. The first test soundings in synoptic stations were performed successfully on June 23rd 00UTC, and after the final additional tests, the first software correction package was published around June 23rd 10:15 UTC. The full set of SW correction packages was published on this web page on June 25th around 10:00 UTC.
The GPS Hot Fix Support Center has been founded with all the necessary resources to support customers in the installation of the SW correction packages. We strive to create immediate useful responses to all customers who contact the center on this matter.
Can the software be distributed remotely?
Yes, the software is provided remotely through the web at http://www.vaisala.com/ and when necessary, through e-mail.
If receiving an update through the web or by e-mail is not possible for the customer, Vaisala will provide a CD-ROM or DVD-update upon request.
How long will it take until the situation normalizes?
The situation will normalize as soon as the SW correction packages have been successfully installed to all the systems. SW correction packages for all system versions now exist, and we are working with high urgency and all the necessary resources to support our customers in the installation process.
How do you compensate for the improper soundings?
Vaisala will substitute the radiosondes whose GPS winds were not available due to this failure. Please keep log of the soundings you had to perform in PTU-only mode due to this problem. You can contact Vaisala Helpdesk (helpdesk@vaisala.com) and create a radiosonde warranty claim with their assistance.