Engineering Expertise

RAL has engineering expertise in algorithm development, data visualization and many program languages.

RAL has specialists in the following areas of software engineering:

  • Scientific algorithms
  • Mathematical algorithms
  • Weather detection algorithms
  • Weather prediction algorithms
  • Numerical weather prediction models
  • Data ingest, storage and dissemination
  • User interface design
  • Data visualization
  • Decision support systems
  • Web-based data dissemination and visualization
  • Software architecture and design

    • RAL engineers are experts in developing software for UNIX platforms, and more specifically on the free LINUX version of UNIX. The Apple version of UNIX is also supported. Some of our software is transferred to clients who modify it to run under the Windows operating system.

    The principal languages used are:

  • C/C++
  • Java (including Enterprise Edition)
  • FORTRAN
  • Matlab
  • Perl
  • Python

    • RAL also has expertise in scientific instrumentation, and performs field installations of instrumentation for the support of projects.

    Displays

    JVIZ: Java Analysis and Display Environment

    The Java Analysis and Display Environment (JADE) is a Java framework that makes it easy to create 2-dimensional visualization applications that display real-time or archival, map-based data. The framework provides an infrastructure and a set of reusable components that provide support for metadata acquisition and representation, data retrieval, rendering and manipulation of data. Tutorial

    UGUI: Model Image View

    UGUI is a convenient and customizable web-based tool for viewing real-time model output.

    MRRD: Multiple Radar Regional Display

    The MRRD allows users to display radar, surface, and lightning data from several radars in the vacinity of the installation. Includes both an in-office, interactive display and a static web-based version.

    METBOX: Custom Display for PDI NOAA Port

    Meteorology Package Machine developed by Planetary Data Incorporated, this system re-packages the tool suite that includes the GEMPAK and NAWIPS software.

    3D Stereo Vision: Unique Views of Model Output

    Set of scripts create automated fly-throughs of real-time model (and coupled-model) output, resulting in a set of 3D, and stereo-3D MPEG movies that are updated with the cycling frequency of the model forecast (every 3 hrs, for RT-FDDA). Stereo output may be visualized on a PC platform with goggles and active emitter technology (costs under $1K, plus cost of PC).

    Hardware

    Aspen Systems: Linux Cluster Technology

    Aspen has provided robust and cost-effective Linux clusters in lieu of using the more expensive shared memory platforms, which were originally used to implement 4DWX modeling systems.

    Planetary Data Incorporated: NOAA Port Receivers

    PDI won a competed contract in 1999 for the implementation of five NOAA Port systems at various U.S. Army test ranges. Since then, PDI has implemented two additional systems, and is in the process of creating Metbox technology for the seven ranges equipped with 4DWX technologies.

    Silicon Graphics Incorporated: SGI O2000

    The SGI O2000 we