##############################################################################
#                                                                            #
#                      SSMIS PREPROCESSOR (SSMIS_PP)                         #
#                           NWPSAF-MO-UD-013                                 #
#                        Version 1.1 Release Note                            #
#                           26th July 2006                                   #
#                                                                            #
##############################################################################

1. Package contents
-------------------

SSMIS_PP_RELEASE1_NOTE.TXT   This release note
SSMIS_PP.tar                tar file containing source code, test data
                            and documentation
			    
SSMIS_PP_NWPSAF_SCIENTIFIC_DOC.pdf/.ps  scientific documentation
SSMIS_PP_NWPSAF_TECHNICAL.pdf           technical documentation

2. License
----------

SSMIS_PP v1.0 is the first full release of the SSMIS preprocesssing package
and users should agree to the terms and conditions of the license agreement
linked from the SSMIS_PP request form on the NWP SAF web site :

ADD LINK ADDRESS.


3. Delivery Mechanism
---------------------

The SSMIS preprocessor can be delivered by ftp push, or on CD-ROM by surface
mail.  Users can specify which route they would prefer via the SSMIS_PP 
request form.
 
 
4. Unpacking the files
----------------------

The complete SSMIS preprocessor package, including source code, build scripts,
test data and test programs has been archived as a tar file.  To unpack, bring 
up a linux terminal window, copy the SSMIS_PP.tar file to a suitable location 
and enter the command :

tar -xvf SSMIS_PP.tar


5. Documentation
----------------

The following documents are included with the SSMIS preprocessor package :

SSMIS_PP_NWPSAF_SCIENTIFIC_DOC.ps (also available in pdf format) :
The scientific description of the SSMIS preprocessor.

SSMIS_PP_technical_document.pdf
The technical description of the SSMIS preprocessor.


6. Data quality issues
----------------------

As described more fully in the Scientific Description, F-16 SSMIS suffers 
from a number of significant systematic biases.  A number of groups are 
currently engaged in developing strategies to deal with these biases.  
In the longer term it is anticipated that corrections will be applied at 
source (Fleet Numerical Meteorological Operations Centre, Monterey) but it 
is likely that several iterations of  research and development work will be
required to achieve an optimal solution.

The SSMIS preprocessor package described and included here is, therefore, a 
particular implementation of the correction strategies developed at the
Met Office to date within the context of the NWP SAF program, in collaboration
with the SSMIS Cal/Val team based at Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), 
Monterey. The corrections are appropriate for the F16 SSMIS data stream as 
it currently stands. 

Although the NRL Cal/Val team have cooperated fully in developing these 
corrections, they are not responsible for any deficiencies in the data 
produced by the preprocessor.
 
As described in the Scientific Description these corrections have 
been shown to produce radiances,for temperature sounding channels, of 
sufficient quality to deliver measurable positive impact on forecast field 
accuracy, however, it is likely that the form of these corrections will be 
further refined in future.  Where possible, and where it is deemed 
worthwhile, these refinements will be included in future releases of the
preprocessor.
  
7. Version Control Information
-------------------------------

The SSMIS_PP package corresponds to Subversion Revision 1 in the SSMIS_PP 
repository  held by the SSMIS_PP manager at the Met Office.


8. Test Cases
-------------
To run a test case see the instructions in the Technical guide.


9. Known Bugs and Future Improvements
-------------------------------------

A list of known bugs and planned improvements is given in the Technical 
Description at page 20.  


10. SSMIS_PP Web Site
---------------------

For further information on the SSMIS Preprocessor, please visit the 
SSMIS_PP web site,accessed for the NWPSAF website: 

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/interproj/nwpsaf/index.html

For bug reports, suggestions for improvement, etc, please use the 
NWP SAF feedback form, linked from the SSMIS_PP web site.