March 20, 2005

                        Readme for ERBE_S8 Data

Note to user:

Questions concerning these data or read software should contact the 
following:

     EOSDIS Langley DAAC
     Science, Users and Data Services Office
     NASA Langley Research Center
     Mail Stop 157D
     2 South Wright Street
     Hampton, Virginia 23681-2199
     U.S.A.

     Email:    support-asdc@earthdata.nasa.gov
     Phone:    (757)864-8656
     FAX:      (757)864-8807
     URL:      http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov


The sample read software has been provided by the ERBE Data Management Team in
1994.  To maintain all of the information for this sample read software package,
all files have bin "zipped" together using the Info-Zip software.  
To read the files, first unzip them with Info-Zip software.  Information about 
downloading and using this freeware is available at the following URL:
             http://www.cdrom.com/pub/infozip/


Once you have "unzipped" the sample read software file package, you will
find the following files:

makefile.s8   : makefile to create sids8.exe (to use type: make )
patrcfm       : File containing data labels
readerbe_s8   : C-shell script to execute sids8.exe
sids8.f       : S-8 read program Fortran source file


-------------------  Original Document (README.S8read)  ------------------------


		      READING THE ERBE S8 DATA PRODUCT

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This file contains instructions on how to read the ERBE S8 product as prepared
on a UNIX platform. It also contains a description of files needed to read the
S8 product and a sample session.


				Disclaimers:

Please be aware that this software, which can be considered to be "work in
progress", is only intended as a "beginning" program and has no capabilities 
other than to read the data files.  Also, this software may need to be modified
to run on certain computer systems since it has not been tested on all of the 
more popular workstations available.  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	The files needed to create and run the read software are:

sids8.f       - S-8 read program Fortran source file

makefile.s8   - makefile to create sids8.exe (to use type: make )

readerbe_s8   - C-shell script to execute sids8.exe

patrcfm       - File containing data labels

***************************************************************************

	Each S8 granule on the tape has been recorded as one long file and
	contains four parts as follows:

		1. ERBE header file 
		2. Test PAT record
		3. Scale factors and offsets
		4. data file


	In order to read the four files off the tape and create a single 
	file that the S8 read software can work with, use the following dd
	command:

	dd if="tape device name" of="output file name" bs=10240 

	This command may vary from workstation to workstation and you may 
	need to review the specific parameters for your particular
	machine or get assistance from your systems administrator.

	Once you have this file created, you can go ahead and use the S8
	read software provided.  Note that this software should be viewed
	as a good starting point for creating your own customized software
	that will meet your specific processing needs.

	In order to compile the read software, simply enter the command:

		> make

	The makefile will compile the software and create the executable
	sids8.exe.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
	In order to actually run the software, enter the command:

	> readerbe_s8

	The following is a printout of a request to read records, 1 through 5,
	of from an S-8 for April 4,1985  NOAA-9 named s8_850404_1 ( the user's 
	responses are underlined ) :


	Enter file name for S-8 => s8_850404_1
       		                    -----------

	 Choose from the following valid entries:

	 (NOAA9=1)  (ERBS=2)  (NOAA10=3)

	Enter spacecraft code =>1
                                -

	Enter (last 2 digits of) year of data =>85
                                                --

	Enter month of data (integer)=>4
                                       -

	Enter day of month =>4
                             -

	Enter dump range:

	Initial =>1
                  -
	Final =>5
                -

************************************************************

S-8 Dump Request:

S-8 file name is :  s8_850404_1


 Date of data: 850404


 Dump range: 

 Initial :  1
 Final   :  5
************************************************************


 Do you wish to continue with execution 
 of this job?(enter y/n)=>y
                          -

(  The S-8 dump will be contained in file S-8dump.s8_850404_1 )
---------------------------------------------------------------