          AVHRR Manager - program to manage EARS AVHRR data


PURPOSE

To decompress, combine and visiualise data from AVHRR segment files obtained
from the EUMETCast service.  For a fuller description, please see the program's
Web page at:

  https://www.satsignal.eu/software/AVHRRmanager.htm


PC REQUIREMENTS

This software is intended for use on a 500 MHz or better PC, with at least
2 GB of memory.  The program was developed on Windows-8, and should work on
Windows-7, or later,  32- or 64-bit.  Earlier versions of Windows are not
supported, and whilst the program may work, correct operation is not
guaranteed.  A fast hard disk with a 16 MB or 32 MB buffer is recommended.

Note: the program has been observed to become non-responsive on a very few
Windows-8.1/64 PCs, and a watchdog program is available to handle this problem
should you encounter it.


REGISTRATION

A licence code is required to operate this software.  When you first run this
software, it will work in full-function mode for a limited period of time, and
cease working after that.  This limited period is designed for you to evaluate
whether the software meets your needs or not.  If you want to continue to use
the software after the evaluation period, you must buy a licence key for the
software.  You can purchase a key from this Web page:

  https://www.satsignal.eu/software/reg-avhrr-manager.html

The AVHRR Manager software can also be purchased as part of the HRPT Toolset,
which includes several well-known programs for handling the images and managing
the Kepler data - the HRPT Reader, GroundMap, WXtrack and the Kepler Manager.
You can purchase the HRPT Toolset from this Web page:

  https://www.satsignal.eu/software/reg-hrpt-toolset.html


INSTALLATION AND USAGE

Extract all the files from the AVHRRmanager Zip archive to a sutiable location
on your PC and run the program by double-clicking the file.  A location outside
the \Program Files\ tree is strongly recommended, such as:

  C:\Tools\SatSignal\AVHRRmanager\

You can also create a shortcut on your desktop or in the start menu if you wish.
For an attractive background to the Map View, copy the file _background.jpg to
the same directory as the AVHRR Manager.  This background is derived from NASA's
Blue Marble:

  https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/BlueMarble/

If you get a message about missing DLLs, please download the runtime Library
Bundle from my Web site at: www.satsignal.eu, or directly from:

  https://www.satsignal.eu/software/runtime.html

For the display of country boundaries, a suitable data file is required and you
can get a suitable one from here:

  https://www.satsignal.eu/software/countries.zip

Unzip the Countries.dat file from the archive to the same directory as the
AVHRR Manager.

If you wish to add your own language to the Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish and
Russian translations supplied, there are some details at the URL below.  Please
check with me before starting so that I can check you are not duplicating
someone else's efforts.

  https://www.satsignal.eu/software/languages.html

If used on a continously-running PC, it is recommended that the program is
stopped and restarted every 8-12 weeks.  No data will be lost.


SETUP

This program requires valid Kepler data to be able to predict where the
satellites are at any particular time.  Consequently, step 1 in the following
list is particularly important.

Select the program's Setup tab to enter the following options.

1 - Specify the path where the Kepler data may be found.  Current Kepler data
is required by this program, and the program can share Kepler data with the HRPT
Reader, WXtrack, or any program using data from the SpaceTrack or CelesTrak Web
sites.  For the AVHRR Manager, Kepler data not more that one week old is
recommended.  Click the Auto button next to the "Kepler Path" box to have the
program automatically set this for you.

The Kepler data can be in one of two formats, and a different entry is required
in the Kepler Path box for each format:

A - multi-entry: if you use the HRPT Reader program, then it is recommended that
you use the "historical" multi-entry data from:

  https://celestrak.com/NORAD/archives/

suitably updated e.g. by my Kepler Manager program.  See the HRPT Reader help
for details of setting up a Kepler data archive.  When using this data format,
enter the path to the HRPT Reader in the Kepler Path box, e.g.

  C:\Tools\SatSignal\HRPTreader\

Note that it is the path to the HRPT Reader program, and not the Keps path under
that path which is required.  Entering a path implies multi-entry Kepler data.
Multi-entry data is best for processing historical images, and a recent version
is kept for SatSignal customers here:

  https://www.satsignal.eu/software/KeplerUpdates.zip

B - multi-satellite: this is the data typically used by WXtrack and other
programs.  You can download that data from:

  https://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/weather.txt

If you do not have WXtrack, create a new directory such as:

  C:\Tools\SatSignal\WXtrack\

and copy the file weather.txt there.  To use this format, enter the full file
name in the Kepler Path box, e.g.

  C:\Tools\SatSignal\WXtrack\weather.txt

To assist you in defining the entry correctly, a button has been provided which
attempts to automatically find if you have either the HRPT Reader or WXtrack
installed and functioning.  It is worth trying this button if you are unsure
about Kepler data.  However, the Auto button may not behave quite as you expect.
There are two reasons for this:

- when looking for multi-satellite data files like weather.txt, the program will
actually look at all Kepler files in the directory, not just weather.txt.
Consequently, it may find an unexpected file name if there are multiple files
with e.g. NOAA-19 data.  The one with the most recent Kepler data is noted.

- even though the full path and filename are stored, it is actually only the
path which is used to determine where Kepler data files live.  At run-time, for
multi-satellite data files the file containing the latest Kepler data will be
used.  So the purpose within this program of storing the file path and file name
is to distinguish whether the program is looking for multi-entry or
multi-satellite data in the folder specified.

- if your PC has an Internet connection, using either WXtrack or the Kepler
Manager can help keep the file up to date.  If you do not have an Internet
connection then the file such as weather.txt will have to be downloaded with
a PC that does have a connection and copied to your weather satellite PC by
disk or memory stick every few days.


C - Using the same Kepler data as WXtrack.

If for some reason the Auto button does not produce the correct result, you
could try the following procedure:

  - in WXtrack, copy the folder name you have defined in the Setup,
    "Path for satellite orbital element files".  E.g. C:\KeplerData\

  - add the name of the file with the data which you are keeping up-to-date.
    E.g. C:\KeplerData\weather.txt

  - in the AVHRR Manager, enter this full file name (the directory name
    with the file name) into the Kepler path box.  Check by switching to
    the Ground Stations tab that the new location has been accepted.

2 - Specify the path where the AVHRR data will be saved by the EUMETCast
TelliCast software.  For some installations, this may be:

  C:\EUMETCast\Received\

3 - Specify where you wish the image files produced by the program to live.

4 - The program can delete data older than a certain number of days.  If you
wish to use this facility, set the "Combined data retention period" to a non-
zero value.  Be aware that even during the trial period with just one station
operating, the saved data amounted to about 1GB per day!

5 - Specify where you wish the saved raw data to live (optional), and check the
box to retain the raw files if you want.  There is normally no need to keep the
raw data.

6 - Files will normally be stored in dated folders, to make the data more
managable.  You can disable this should you wish.

7 - The source data will normally be deleted after processing by the program.
Uncheck "Delete files from RX" to prevent this happening.  The behaviour of the
program under these conditions is not guaranteed.  If you want a copy of the
data for future processing, please use the facility mentioned in (5).

8 - The program can announce the New Pass and New Segment events.  Use the
Windows Start Button to activate the Settings, Control Panel, Sounds and Audio
Devices dialog.  Select the Sounds tab, and scroll down the Program events list
until you find EARS AVHRR combiner section.  You can add sounds for the New pass
and New segment events.  Please see your Windows documentation for more
information.


SUPPORTED DATA FILES

AVHRR segment files as broadcast over the EUMETCast EARS AVHRR service.


COMMAND-LINE OPERATION

Parameters:

  -START
  This will cause the program to start looking for data as soon as it is
  started, and is intended for those who wish to add the program to the
  Windows, Startup Menu to provide fully hand-off operation.

  -MIN
  Minimises the program's window if -START is also specified.

  -LOG
  Makes the Event Log tab displayed on startup.


NOTES

The program has been developed on Windows-8, and should run on Windows-7 and
later.  It may also work, but is not supported, on earlier Windows versions.


USING YOUR OWN LANGUAGE

This program is capable of being translated into your own language.  You do 
this yourself, and there is more information here:

  https://www.satsignal.eu/software/languages.html


RECENT RELEASE INFORMATION

Release V4.1.2.246
V4.1.2  2019-Apr-29  Update for Metop-C
                     Add Help, Support menu
                     Debug long pass creation ..
                     .. fix - use EUMETSAT Keplers
                     .. because they have in-sequence orbit numbers
                     When browsing for a single Kepler file (e.g. WXtrack) ..
                     .. note that a directory is required
                     .. the file is found automatically.
                     Correct handling of single-file Kepler data ..
                     .. display full file name as hint over Kepler status
                     .. more warnings if WXtrack or HRPTreader not present
                     Prevent disabling Open & Delete Browser buttons

beta V4.1.5.252
V4.1.5  2025-Apr-23  Add -LOG command-line parameter
                     Document -MIN parameter
                     Make temporary file name unique ..
                     .. watch out for unprocessed files in the app directory!
                     Use more recent Kepler data

Release notes for earlier versions are in the file: release-history.txt


LIMITATIONS

The user of the program is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of any data
produced by the program.


WARRANTY

This program is provided "as is" and without any warranty as to merchantability
or fitness for a particular purpose or any other warranties either expressed or
implied.  The author will not be liable for data loss, damages, loss of profits
or any other kind of loss while using or misusing this software.

This software may not be used in safety-critical or life-critical systems.


PROGRAM STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION

This program is copyrighted software from David J Taylor, Edinburgh and is
provided "as is".

There is a self-help group here:

  https://groups.io/g/SatSignal

where other users of the software may be contacted.  I value any comments or
suggestions for improvements you may have.  This program may only be distributed
with the specific authority of the author.  If you want direct technical support
you must register the program at:

  https://www.satsignal.eu/software/reg-avhrr-manager.html


COMMERCIAL USE

Use by any commercial organisation, or any individual for commercial purposes
requires the purchase of a commercial licence from David Taylor, Edinburgh.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many thanks to those who have provided data and helped beta test the program.
Thanks to EUMETSAT for providing this service, and early access to the trial
data.  The background _background.jpg is derived from NASA's Blue Marble.

My thanks to those who made the translations:

  Dutch: Arne van Belle
  French: Gérard Kruger
  German: Ulrich G. Kliegis
  Italian: Giuseppe Cico
  Russian: Viktor Gavrish
  Spanish: Jorge González


CONTACTING THE AUTHOR

Web site:  https://www.satsignal.eu
E-mail:    david-taylor@blueyonder.co.uk
Software self-help: https://groups.io/g/SatSignal

2025-Apr-23
