Ctrec

ctrec tracks echo motion in reflectivity or similar fields.

Overview

ctrec tracks echo motion using a cross-correlation technique to match pattern movement through time in reflectivity or similar fields (e.g., infrared satellite imagery).

Prerequesites

The following items are required:

• Reflectivity data (MDV format)

Parameter file

ctrec uses one parameter file that includes information about the input and output directories and echo tracking parameters.

Ensure file is up to date

To obtain the default parameter file, use the following command:

/path/to/lrose/install/bin/ctrec -print_params > param_file_name

If you already have a parameter file and simply want to check for (and add) updated parameters while retaining current parameters, use the following command:

/path/to/lrose/install/bin/ctrec -params orig_param_file_name -print_params > new_param_file_name

Important parameters

Operational parameters

• mode: determines if the program waits for new files (REALTIME), moves through start and end times specified on the command line (ARCHIVE), or moves through list of files specified on the command line (FILELIST)

Input parameters

• field_name: name of field to analyze
• input_url: path to the MDV files

Output file parameters

• output_url: path where output data will be written

Running ctrec

To check all command line options for ctrec, including debugging options and file paths, type the following command into a terminal.

/path/to/lrose/install/bin/ctrec -h

Once your parameter file is complete, use a command similar to the following to run the application:

/path/to/lrose/install/bin/ctrec -params param_file_name