AFMIT TRAINING OUTLINE

(Note: This is an outline of a training session delivered to USAF training personnel as part of the original AFMIT program. The sessions were delivered to 4 primary training personnel, who upon completion served as USAF instructors for the AFMIT program.)

INTRODUCTION

Scope of Effort

Hilton Systems, Inc.(HSI) and Softworks, Inc. will provide one qualified instructor each for 2 sessions of training.

Each session will consist of 2 consecutive 8-hour days of instruction, with 1-hour for lunch. Each hour of instruction will include a 10-minute break, which may be used for informal follow-up discussion.

The sessions will be provided on-site at DET-4/AWS, Hurlbert Field, Fl, in facilities provided by the USAF.

Both sessions will be provided during 4 consecutive days on-site to minimize travel expenses.

Two sets course material handouts will be provided for 2 USAF personnel at each session.

One set additional course material handouts will be provided, and may be reproduced by the Government.

The sessions will be provided immediately prior to and concurrent with initial acceptance testing.

Two systems from the initial delivery will be used as training systems for each session.

Scope of Training

Training will cover theory and practice sufficient to impart knowledge of component identification, configuration, operation, and maintenance of the HSI/WeatherTrac-II based AFMIT system. Training will not cover design(s) or algorithm(s) used in the system.

The AFMIT system hardware components will be covered at board level functionality. Sub-board level components will be covered only for selected user serviceable components.

The AFMIT system software components will be covered at executable function level.

Training will be performed using live systems at DET 4/AWS/Hurlbert Field.

COURSE SCHEDULE

DAY 1 : AFMIT SYSTEM HARDWARE

Brief overview of weather satellite technology

0800-0850

Topics Covered:

Geostationary vs. Polar Orbiting Satellites

Satellite Visibility

Ephemeris

Predict

Satellite Field of View (SFOV)

Footprint

Scanning Meteorological Instruments

Instrument Field of View(IFOV)

Swath

Analog Downlink Met Products

WEFAX products

APT products

Objectives:

Students will understand the context in which systems such as AFMIT are applied to receive meteorological imagery products.

0850-0900

Scheduled break.

AFMIT System Hardware: Components & Capabilities

0900-0950

Topics Covered:

AFMIT Modules Description

AFMIT Modules required for :

NOAA/METEOR APT products

Sample APT product

GOES/WEFAX products

Sample GOES/WEFAX product

METEOSAT/WEFAX products

Sample METEOSAT/WEFAX product

GMS/WEFAX products

Sample GMS/WEFAX product

APT ONLY

WEFAX ONLY

APT + WEFAX

COMPUTER Module Contents

VGA433 Computer PC-137 VHF Receiver

PC-GMS VHF Receiver WFX2 Demodulator

WEFAX Module Contents

WEFAX Antenna Feed

Downconverter Coax assy

Aux. headphones kit Aux. +12VDC power supply

APT Module Contents

V20A Antenna 20dB preamp(internal)

Tripod & Mast Coax assy

PRINTER Module Contents

P75U Video Copier Thermal printer

Objectives:

Students will associate modules with reception of specific products. Students will also associate components with specific modules.

0950-1000

Scheduled break

AFMIT System Hardware: Setup & Configuration Part I

1000-1050

Topics Covered:

Module placement requirements

Environment

Inter-module distance limits

Line-of-site requirements

Interference avoidance

Unpacking each module

AC/DC Power requirements

Computer AC power

Printer AC power

Aux. +12VDC power supply AC power

Assembling the APT antenna

Mounting antenna to mast

Mounting mast to tripod

Assembling the 5' MESH Tactical Dish, Feed, and Downconverter

Leveling tripod

Securing tripod

Mounting dish to universal mount

Mounting downconverter

Objectives:

Students will understand physical and electrical requirements for siting AFMIT system. Students will learn how to assemble the APT and 5' MESH DISH antenna assemblies.

1050-1100

Scheduled break

AFMIT System Hardware: Setup & Configuration Part II

1100-1200

Topics Covered:

Assembling the 4' SPLIT Al Dish, Feed, and Downconverter

Computer/WEFAX module cabling

Computer/APT module cabling

Lightning/EMP surge cabling/grounding

Computer/Printer module cabling

Objectives:

Students will learn how to assemble the 4' split Al dish, feed, and downconverter. Students will learn how to interconnect modules with proper cables.

LUNCH

1200-1300

Scheduled break for lunch.

AFMIT System Hardware: Setup & Configuration, Part III

1300-1350

Topics Covered:

Checking Power Requirements

Turning on the Computer

BEARING.COM utility

Aiming the WEFAX Dish

Using the aux. headphones kit

Setting up computer for WEFAX reception

Setting up speaker output

When dish alignment is possible

Alignment procedure

Loading printer paper

Configuring the printer

When necessary

Special cabling setup

Why and how

Accessing the printer setup menu

Basic setup

Objectives:

Students will understand how to prepare the system for aiming the WEFAX dish at geostationary satellites. Students will learn how to align the dish for best reception. Students will learn how to load thermal paper into printer module, and how to setup the printer, including the special cabling

1350-1400

Scheduled break

AFMIT System Hardware: Diagnostics

1400-1450

Topics Covered:

Cable/connector/adapter break/shorts

RT-EMP cartridge failure

DC insertion on APT cables

DC insertion on WEFAX cables

V20A preamp failure

Aux. +12VDC Supply Characteristics

Software assisted hardware diagnostics

WT status

confirming installation/configuration

READSTAT.EXE

confirming proper WFX2 behavior

identifying IRQ/DMA conflict

SPECTRUM.EXE

baseline spectrum

anomalous spectrum

identifying interference

DOS 6.0 MSD.EXE

confirming baseline computer configuration

Computer diagnostics

Loose internal adapters

Loose internal cables

WFX2 Failure

Will not initialize Will not communicate

No speaker output No imagery captured

PC-137/PC-GMS Failure

Internal 1A fuse

Objectives:

Students will understand how to detect and correct the most likely modes of system and component failure.

1450-1500

Scheduled break

AFMIT System Hardware: Maintenance

1500-1550

Topics Covered:

Replacing V20A/APT antenna preamp

Replacing RT EMP cartridges

Mesh repair

Checking external coax cable assemblies

Computer Adapter Access/Replacement

PC-137 and PC-GMS internal fuses

WFX2 .1mH Power Supply RF Chokes

Objectives:

Students will understand how to access and replace user-serviceable components discussed in previous session.

1550-1600

Scheduled break

AFMIT System Hardware: Tear-Down/Packing

1600-1630

Topics Covered:

System power down

Disconnecting power and cables

APT module packing

WEFAX Mesh Dish packing

Printer packing

Computer system packing

Objectives:

OPEN REVIEW/FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS

1630-1700

Topics covered:

Open review/follow-up questions as requested

Objectives:

To review any topics in which students may have questions.

End of Class, Day 1

1700

DAY 2 : AFMIT SYSTEM SOFTWARE

Features Overview

0800-0850

Topics Covered:

Brief overview of system software capabilities

Satellite Prediction

Swath Prediction

Geostationary Bearing Calculation

Image Capture

Demand

Autoscanning

Time-of-Day scheduling

Image Analysis & Enhancement

Std Enhancement/Contrast Stretch

False Coloring/Custom Enhancement

Filtering

Scroll/Pan/Zooming

Lat/Long Grid Overlays

Geopolitical Overlays

Feature Tracking

Feature G.C. Bearing and Distance

AVHRR Temperature Calibration

Image Annotation

Quick Annotation feature

PC-PAINT V Interface

Image Looping (Animation)

Image Hardcopy

Image Management

Previewing, Erasing, Copying

Objectives:

Students will be given a brief overview of the scope of capabilities of the software. This will provide a context into which the details of the sessions which follow can be placed.

0850-0900

Scheduled break.

Satellite Prediction and Scheduling

0900-0950

Topics Covered:

Satellite Prediction

Updating Satellite Elements

Entering manually with EPOCHS.EXE

Importing with SATDAT.EXE

Generating Predict Tables

Swath Prediction

Viewing individual pass swath(IFOV)

Geostationary Bearing Calculation

Calculating look angles for WEFAX dish

Scheduling

Automatic 24Hr APT schedule

Manual Assisted Scheduling(Swath Predict)

Manual Scheduling by TOD

Autoscanning

On demand

Objectives:

Students will understand why, when necessary, and how to use the AFMIT system to update satellite orbital elements. Students will understand why, when necessary, and how to use the AFMIT system to predict satellite visibility and swath. Students will also learn how to use the AFMIT system to schedule image capture in the available schedule modes.

0950-1000

Scheduled break

Capturing Imagery

1000-1050

Topics Covered:

Background Capture TSR

Preconfigured APT autoscanning on power-up

Fast!:Capture (Demand)

Capture_Setup:Load/Go(Demand)

Scheduler:Load/Go(Scheduled )

Configuring & Installing the Capture TSR(WT.COM)

DOS command line capture(DEMAND/Scheduled)

Capture TSR Status

Changing the Capture TSR status

Objectives:

Students will understand how the AFMIT system is configured for capturing images, what the background capture TSR does, and what can be done while the background capture TSR is capturing.

1050-1100

Scheduled break

Image Analysis & Enhancement Part-I

1100-1200

Topics Covered:

View Menu/Fast!:View Menu

Std Enhancement

Brighter/Darker

Linear/Exp/Logarithmic

NOAA/NESDIS

Contrast Stretch

VGA Palette Tool

Histogram

Automatic Contrast Stretch

Manual Contrast Stretch

False Coloring/Custom Enhancement

Applying false colors

Applying AVHRR Temp based colors

Saving/naming custom enhancement curves

Filtering

Defining filter area

Applying filters

Removing filter effects

Impact on AVHRR Temp calibration

Scroll/Pan/Zooming

Using View:Scroll

Using View:Analysis:Check_Zoom

Using View:Resize

Objectives:

Students will learn how to use the AFMIT system to apply predefined image enhancement curves and to develop custom image enhancement curves, including false coloring. Students will learn how to apply area process filters to selected portions of the image. Students will learn how to change the image view.

LUNCH

1200-1300

Scheduled break for lunch.

Image Analysis & Enhancement Part II

1300-1350

Topics Covered:

Lat/Long Grid Overlays

Applying grids

Changing grid spacing

Geopolitical Overlays

Applying geopolitical borders

Feature Tracking

Adding feature tracks

Feature G.C. Bearing and Distance

Using View:Analysis:Check_Zoom

Changing the primary station

Overriding the automatic satellite selection

AVHRR Temperature Calibration

Using View:Analysis:Check_Zoom

Overriding the automatic AVHRR calibration

IR Table Temperature Calibration

WEFAX IR tables

Misc. Functions

View:Analysis:Stats

Misc:Graphics

Objectives:

Students will learn how to use the AFMIT system to apply Earth location information(lat/long grid lines, geopolitical borders)to NOAA APT imagery. Students will learn how to use the AFMIT system to observe and track image features across images and product types. Students will learn how to use the AFMIT system to apply temperature calibration to NOAA APT IR images and WEFAX IR images.

1350-1400

Scheduled break

Image Annotation

1400-1450

Topics Covered:

Using the quick annotation function

Adding a general comment

Adding product identification

Adding a temperature tag

Using the PC-PAINT V interface

Saving a view as .PCX

Transferring to the PC-PAINT V program

Loading a .PCX image

Overlaying MET symbols

Creating custom MET symbols

Saving annotated .PCX image

Objectives:

Students will learn how to use the AFMIT system to annotate captured imagery for presentation/reports.

1450-1500

Scheduled break

Loop Animation

1500-1550

Topics Covered:

Using the Scheduler to configure capture for animation

Using the MISC:ANIMATE menu to select animation

Animating with capture TSR loaded

Automatic loop update

Animating with capture TSR unloaded

10 Additional loop frames

Animating at reduced resolution

Double available loop frames

Accessing the ANIMATION LOOP LIBRARY

Using the QUAD function to recombine WEFAX sectors

into pseudo FULL-DISK images

into new North/South HEMISPHERE sectors

Animating QUAD recombined images

Objectives:

Students will learn how to setup the AFMIT system for WEFAX loop animation.

1550-1600

Scheduled break

Utilities

1600-1630

Topics Covered:

BEARING.COM

Look angles to geostationary satellites

ALIGN.EXE

Signal strength display routine

SPECTRUM.EXE

3 MHz wide receiver signal strength display

READSTAT.EXE

WFX2 adapter status display

PRINTWTC.EXE

Output WEFAX products to 300/600 DPI LASERJET printers.

WT.EXE

General Predict Program

Objectives:

Students will learn how to apply miscellaneous AFMIT utility programs for specific functions.

OPEN REVIEW/FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS

1630-1700

Topics covered:

Open review/follow-up questions as requested

Objectives:

To review any topics in which students may have questions.

End of Class, Day 2:End of Session

1700

Students will receive Course Certificates of Completion.

AFMIT TRAINING OUTLINE:
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

1. AFMIT Tabulated Bill of Material (1 page)

2. Selected Drawings (19 pages)

DWG# Description

PCGMS Internal GMS-WEFAX Receiver
PC137 Internal APT/GOES-WEFAX Receiver
WEFAXII Internal APT/WEFAX Demodulator
APT-V20A-ASSY Omnidirectional APT Antenna & Tripod
WFX-DISH-AL-4-SPLIT Split Wefax Dish
WFX-DISH-MESH-5-TAC Tactical Mesh Dish
KIT-TACDISH-1 Hold-Down Kit for Mesh Dish
PSPLY +12VDC 500mA Aux +12VDC Power Supply
KIT-WFX-SPKR-1 Aux Speaker Headphones for WEFAX
RT-EMP-N-N EMP/Lightning Surge Protector
COAX-100-58-N-N APT antenna cable
COAX-100-58-N-BNC WEFAX Downconverter cable
COAX-2-58-N-BNC Surge Prot/Receiver cable
COAX-5-FLEXI4XLLA Low-loss cable for mesh dish
COAX-1-FLEXI4XLLA Low-loss cable for split dish
COAX-1-58-BNCJ-D15 Adapter cable for speaker output
COAX-1-58-BNCJ-1/8 Adapter cable for headphones
COAX-100-58-BNC-BNC Aux cable for speaker output
WIRE-10-8GASTCU 10' Ground cable

3. Tech. Note: Disassembling VGA433 For Servicing (4 pages)

4. Tech. Note: Recommended Inspection Points ...( 7 pages)

5. Tech. Sheet: Auxiliary +12VDC Power Supply (1 page)

6. Tech. Sheet: Routing Receiver Audio To Dish(1 page)

7. Tech. Sheet: Computer/Printer Connections(1 page)

8. Tech. Sheet: V20-A Volute Antenna "N" ... (2 pages)

9. Tech. Sheet: Split 4' Al Dish...(1 page)

10. Tech. Sheet: Ultra-Portable 5' Mesh Dish(1 page)

11. Tech. Sheet: Tripod Hold-Down Kit (1 page)

12. Application Note: Replacing RF Chokes on WEFAXII(1 page)

13. Application Note: Replacing Blown Fuses on PC-137 (1 page)

14. Application Note: Changing PC-137 Rcvr I/O Address(1 page)

15. Application Note: Overlaying MET Symbols ...(5 pages)

16. Certificate of Completion(1 page)

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