November 14, 2006

**Operational Acceptance Test (OAT) Plan**

**for**

**Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) Software Version (V) 2.79C**

**[Introduction and Background]{.underline}**

ASOS Operational Trouble Report (OTR) \# 1078, dated 09/18/06,
identifies a condition where an erroneous Ice Free Wind Sensor (IFWS)
maintenance indicator (\$) is appended to the Aviation Routine Weather
Report (METAR) or Aviation Selected Special Weather Report (SPECI)
reports. This can occur when the IFWS correctly reports a sensor path
error for path 5 (one of the 6 paths in the IFWS). This path error is
incorrectly interpreted by the Acquisition Control Unit (ACU) software
and an erroneous \$ is appended to the next METAR or SPECI. Although the
IFWS is operating normally (it only needs 4 of the 6 paths for a VALID
wind report) and no data quality error exists, this erroneous \$ may
mask other potential ASOS problems. In addition, the ASOS Operations and
Monitoring Center (AOMC) has experienced an increased workload in
responding to the erroneous \$ indicators and, in some cases, IFWS which
were functioning properly were replaced unnecessarily.

During September 2006, 220 sites (68% of the sites with an IFWS and
V2.79B installed) flagged this error at least once -- for a total of 495
errors. Twenty sites flagged the error five or more times and four of
those flagged the error 10 or more times. The problem is present in the
V2.79, V2.79A, and V2.79B ACU software versions.

The ASOS Configuration Control Board (ACCB) has judged this problem
warrants immediate attention and revised software (V2.79C) is now
available for evaluation. With the exception of the fix for the IFWS
path error maintenance flag problem, V2.79C is identical to V2.79B.

**[Previous Testing and OAT Schedule]{.underline}**

A V2.79C System Test (ST) began on October 13, 2006, using test ASOS
systems at Weather Service Headquarters and at the Sterling Research and
Development Center in Sterling, Virginia, and was completed successfully
on October 25, 2006. The fix for the erroneous \$ problem was confirmed
during the ST. The V2.79C OAT will begin during the week of November 13,
2006, and will last approximately two weeks. If no problems are noted
during the OAT, V2.79C will be released immediately for all operational
ASOSs with an IFWS currently installed.

**[OAT Objectives]{.underline}**

During the OAT, the following must be verified with V2.79C installed:

[Stable ASOS operation]{.underline} - The availability of ASOS
observations/products and the frequency of warmstarts must be consistent
with or improved over performance with previous software versions. There
must be no spontaneous coldstarts.

[Operator interfaces]{.underline} - ASOS must respond properly to
operator commands.

[Production, transmission, and archiving of
observations/products]{.underline} - Observations must be representative
of conditions (within the limitations of the ASOS sensors), correctly
formatted, transmitted successfully, and archived by ASOS.

[Interfacing with both NWS and non-NWS systems]{.underline} - ASOS must
correctly transmit information for display on the FAA ASOS Controller
Equipment (ACE) - verification by FAA tower staff. ASOS must correctly
incorporate Runway Visual Range (RVR) information from the FAA New
Generation RVR (NGRVR) system into the ASOS METAR/SPECI reports. ASOS
must correctly incorporate thunderstorm information from the FAA
Automated Lightning Detection and Reporting System (ALDARS) system into
the ASOS METAR/SPECI reports.

> [IFWS maintenance indicator \$]{.underline} -- There must be no
> erroneous \$\'s for the IFWS. The AOMC will monitor the site
> performance and report any cases of erroneous \$\'s.

**[Methodology]{.underline}**

Since all field ASOSs are operational, testing will be limited to
performance monitoring during routine operations. No on-site test
activities other than monitoring observations/products and
reporting/documenting any ASOS problems are required.

ASOS Electronics Technicians (ET) will install the software at the test
sites using the procedures in Modification Note 80A. The V2.79C software
is available on the OPS12 ftp site and Modification Note 80A is posted
on the ASOS ET website.

Since all OAT sites (except Anchorage, AK) already have V2.79A or V2.79B
installed, and there are no changes to the Operator Interface Device
(OID) displays and observer procedures with V2.79C, no training of FAA
or FAA contract observers is required before installation of the
software at FAA-staffed sites. Although training is not required for the
NWS observers at Anchorage, training will be required for the FAA tower
staff. When V2.79C is installed at Anchorage (PANC), it must also be
installed at Lake Hood (PALH) to ensure consistency in the Anchorage
tower OIDs.

For sites with FAA, FAA contract, or NWS contract staff, the NWS site
Focal Point will monitor ASOS performance and review observations,
reporting any ASOS problems to the OAT Coordinator. Responsibility for
the evaluation may be assigned to the on-site FAA or contract staff (at
the discretion of the NWS Region and with the agreement of the FAA) but
the NWS site Focal Point remains responsible for reporting problems to
the OAT Coordinator:

> Bryan Moore -- Test and Evaluation Branch (OPS24)
>
> 301-713-0326 x176
>
> Bryan.Moore@noaa.gov

For NWS-staffed sites, the test site Focal Point (or on-site staff,
under the direction of the test site Focal Point) will monitor ASOS
performance and review observations, reporting any ASOS problems to the
OAT Coordinator.

For unstaffed sites, the NWS site Focal point will monitor ASOS
performance and review observations remotely, reporting any problems to
the OAT Coordinator.

The AOMC will report, to the OAT Coordinator, any cases when test site
ASOS observations/products are not received at the NWS Telecommunication
Gateway as expected.

At any time during the OAT, if the test site Focal Point judges ASOS
performance to be unacceptable, he/she is authorized to have the ET
re-install the previous software version to ensure continued
satisfactory support of NWS and FAA operations.

The OAT Coordinator will conduct weekly conference calls with
participation by Regional Focal Points and a Test Review Group made up
of NWS and FAA national and regional representatives (Site Focal Points
may participate at the invitation of the Regional Focal Points). Times
and specific details will be provided (by e-mail) to the conference call
participants.

At the conclusion of the evaluation, the OAT Coordinator will provide
test results and an implementation recommendation to the ASOS
Configuration Control Board Chair.

**[OAT Sites and Site Focal Points]{.underline}**

The OAT sites were selected from those experiencing the IFWS erroneous
path error \$ problem. The OAT sites and Site Focal Points are:

KDDH Bennington, VT John Durant (at ALY) 518-435-9571

KPWM Portland, ME Jim Mansfield (at GYX) 207-688-3223 x225

KGFK Grand Forks, ND Mike Lukasz 701-795-5198 x372

KHYR Hayward, WI Donald Price (at DLH) 218-729-0645

KITR Burlington, CO Grady Bonsall (at GLD) 785-899-2360 x381

KLHX La Junta, CO Chris Price (at PUB) 719-948-9429

KLND Lander, WY Rob McFall (at RIW) 307-857-3898 x372

KMFI Marshfield, WI Rob Hoag (at GRB) 920-494-5845 x372

KMHE Mitchell, SD Don Beck (at FSD) 605-330-4244 x372

KOFK Norfolk, NE Larry Howard (at OAX) 402-359-2394 x381

KVPZ Valparaiso, IN Walter Cowan (at LOT) 815-834-0600 x372

KDHT Dalhart, TX Ken Hunter (at AMA) 806-335-1835 x260

KGUY Guymon, OK Ken Hunter (at AMA) 806-335-1835 x260

KBKE Baker, OR Michael Pereira (at BOI) 208-334-9865

KCEC Crescent City, CA Donald Dodd (at EKA) 707-443-5610

KDLS The Dalles, OR Johnny Blagg (at PDT) 541-276-7832

KINW Winslow, AZ Steven Kusyj (at FGZ) 928-556-9161 x260

KMYV Marysville, CA Douglas Swann (at STO) 916-979-3051

KOKB Oceanside, CA Michael Lauderdale (at SGX) 858-675-8700 x260

KRNM Ramona, CA Michael Lauderdale (at SGX) 858-675-8700 x260

KSFO San Francisco, CA Wayne Bailey (at MTR) 831-656-1710

KSHN Shelton, WA Kris Johnson (at SEA) 206-526-6090 x260

KSJN St. Johns, AZ Steven Kusyj (at FGZ) 928-556-9161 x260

PALH Lake Hood, AK Jim Hunter 907-271-5124

PANC Anchorage, AK Jim Hunter 907-271-5124

Specific site characteristics and interfaces are listed in the table
below.

.

**ASOS V2.79C OAT Site Characteristics and Interfaces**

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 12%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td>SID</td>
<td>Name</td>
<td><p>FAA</p>
<p>Service</p>
<p>Level</p></td>
<td>Staffing</td>
<td>DCPs</td>
<td><p>Multiple</p>
<p>Sensors</p></td>
<td>Comms</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td><p>TSTM/</p>
<p>ALDARS</p></td>
<td><p>GTA/</p>
<p>ATIS</p></td>
<td>ACE</td>
<td>RVR</td>
<td>WSP</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>AWPAG</td>
<td><p>Current</p>
<p>Software</p>
<p>Version</p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>KDDH</td>
<td>Bennington, VT</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>KPWM</td>
<td>Portland, ME</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>PT</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>M/B</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>AWPAG</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>KGFK</td>
<td>Grand Forks, ND</td>
<td>B</td>
<td>FT</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>AWPAG</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>KHYR</td>
<td>Hayward, WI</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>KITR</td>
<td>Burlington, CO</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>KLHX</td>
<td>La Junta, CO</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>KLND</td>
<td>Lander, WY</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>DIAL</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>TS</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>AWPAG</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>KMFI</td>
<td>Marshfield, WI</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>KMHE</td>
<td>Mitchell, SD</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79A</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>KOFK</td>
<td>Norfolk, NE</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>AWPAG</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>KVPZ</td>
<td>Valparaiso, IN</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>DIAL</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

> **ASOS V2.79C OAT Site Characteristics and Interfaces**

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 12%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td>SID</td>
<td>Name</td>
<td><p>FAA</p>
<p>Service</p>
<p>Level</p></td>
<td>Staffing</td>
<td>DCPs</td>
<td><p>Multiple</p>
<p>Sensors</p></td>
<td>Comms</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td><p>TSTM/</p>
<p>ALDARS</p></td>
<td><p>GTA/</p>
<p>ATIS</p></td>
<td>ACE</td>
<td>RVR</td>
<td>WSP</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>AWPAG</td>
<td><p>Current</p>
<p>Software</p>
<p>Version</p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>KDHT</td>
<td>Dalhart, TX</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>KGUY</td>
<td>Guymon, OK</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>SCA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>AWPAG</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>KBKE</td>
<td>Baker, OR</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>KCEC</td>
<td>Crescent City, CA</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>KDLS</td>
<td>The Dalles, OR</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>KINW</td>
<td>Winslow, AZ</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>DIAL</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>AWPAG</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>KMYV</td>
<td>Marysville, CA</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>KOKB</td>
<td>Oceanside, CA</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>KRMN</td>
<td>Ramona, CA</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>PT</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>AWPAG</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>KSFO</td>
<td>Sam Francisco, CA</td>
<td>A</td>
<td>FT</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>M/B</td>
<td>DIAL</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ACE</td>
<td>RVR</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>AWPAG</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>KSHN</td>
<td>Shelton, WA</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>AWPAG</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>KSJN</td>
<td>St. Johns, AZ</td>
<td>D</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>ALDARS</td>
<td>GTA</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.79B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>PALH</td>
<td>Lake Hood, AK</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2</td>
<td><p>Remote</p>
<p>wind</p></td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>2.7B</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>PANC</td>
<td>Anchorage, AK</td>
<td>A</td>
<td>FT</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>M</td>
<td>ADAS</td>
<td>ZR</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>RVR</td>
<td>---</td>
<td>IFW</td>
<td>AWPAG</td>
<td>2.7B</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>