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NUM-DAT File Format Specification: Used in M-9 Gun Experiment Data Archiving

The M-9 Shock and Detonation Physics group executes experiments on gun and explosive platforms with large numbers of oscilloscopes used for data acquisition. The data acquisition from these oscilloscopes was automated many years ago using a custom piece of software called RunDig . The default save format from this software is a custom structure referred to as "NUM-DAT" format. This file format includes a text ".DAT" file which is a header file used to interpret the binary ".NUM" file which contains the oscilloscope data. The data save format was originally developed by John Vorthman and has been in use by M-9 personnel for over 20 years. This data format has been used for archiving data from experiments performed by M-9 personnel at TA-40, TA-39, and the TA-55 Impact Test Facility. Numerous custom analysis and visualization programs have also been developed, and continue to be used, that utilize this data format. This document describes the NUM-DAT format and provides code examples for reading the format and converting it to other formats.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

PCF File Format.

PCF files are binary files designed to contain gamma spectra and neutron count rates from radiation sensors. It is the native format for the GAmma Detector Response and Analysis Software (GADRAS) package [1]. It can contain multiple spectra and information about each spectrum such as energy calibration. This document outlines the format of the file that would allow one to write a computer program to parse and write such files.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗

PCF File Format

PCF files are binary files designed to contain gamma spectra and neutron count rates from radiation sensors. It is the native format for the GAmma Detector Response and Analysis Software (GADRAS) package. It can contain multiple spectra and information about each spectrum such as energy calibration. This document outlines the format of the file that would allow one to write a computer program to parse and write such files.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Computer-aided design file format for additive manufacturing and methods of file generation

A tessellated output file format describing a computer-aided design (CAD) model including a plurality of vertices, a plurality of curves, a plurality of surfaces, and at least one volume, the tessellated output file format comprising base polygon data, a vertex metadata container, a curve metadata container, and a surface metadata container. The base polygon data defines the CAD model for additive manufacturing and includes a plurality of connected polygons, each polygon including a plurality of nodes, a plurality of edges, and a face. The vertex metadata container includes a listing of CAD model vertices and one polygon node associated with each CAD model vertex. The curve metadata container includes a listing of CAD model curves and at least one polygon edge associated with each CAD model curve. The surface metadata container includes a listing of CAD model surfaces and at least one polygon face associated with each CAD model surface.

Vernon, Gregory John↗

File format for normalizing radiological concentration exposure rate and dose rate data for the effects of radioactive decay and weathering processes

This report specifies the electronic file format that was agreed upon to be used as the file format for normalized radiological data produced by the software tool developed under this TI project. The NA-84 Technology Integration (TI) Program project (SNL17-CM-635, Normalizing Radiological Data for Analysis and Integration into Models) investigators held a teleconference on December 7, 2017 to discuss the tasks to be completed under the TI program project. During this teleconference, the TI project investigators determined that the comma-separated values (CSV) file format is the most suitable file format for the normalized radiological data that will be outputted from the normalizing tool developed under this TI project. The CSV file format was selected because it provides the requisite flexibility to manage different types of radiological data (i.e., activity concentration, exposure rate, dose rate) from other sources [e.g., Radiological Assessment and Monitoring System (RAMS), Aerial Measuring System (AMS), Monitoring and Sampling). The CSV file format also is suitable for the file format of the normalized radiological data because this normalized data can then be ingested by other software [e.g., RAMS, Visual Sampling Plan (VSP)] used by the NA-84’s Consequence Management Program.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

The MELCOR Plot File Format

This work provides a detailed explanation of the MELCOR Plot File format. MELCOR is a fully integrated, engineering-level computer code that models the progression of severe accidents in light water reactor nuclear power plants, and it primarily exports its simulation data to a binary file in the Plot File format. This work documents the Plot File's overall structure and the data types of exported information. The process of interpreting and associating time series information with MELCOR's Plot Variables for complete time histories is also presented. The format and meaning of time-independent information, called Special information, is also discussed.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Historical NTS digitizer file format

The historical NTS *.dig data formal is not widely known. I document the proper *.dig file format. I include the MATLAB code used to read *.dig files with the historical data analysis software, "eXreme Las Vegas".

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

ICARTT File Format Enhancements: Supporting FAIRness of Airborne and Field Campaign Data

The ICARTT (International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and Transformation) standards were developed to fulfill data management needs for the ICARTT campaign in 2004. The ICARTT file format is text-based and composed of a header with important data description information and the data section. The ICARTT format, built on the NASA Ames and GTE data formats, was created to facilitate data exchange and promote collaborations among the science teams for achieving the ICARTT campaign goals. Due to the success of the ICARTT campaign, the ICARTT file format was exposed to a broad range of airborne researchers and was adopted for use in many other field campaigns sponsored by NASA and other partner agencies. The ICARTT format standards became a NASA standard in 2010 and was amended in January 2017 providing many enhancements, including the requirement for variable standard names. Primarily designed for airborne field studies, ICARTT has been further utilized for ground-based studies. The ICARTT format can host metadata that is critical for proper use of the data, especially for in-situ measurements. However, the information that needs to be included is often in free text, meaning the information are human readable, but not machine interpretable. Furthermore, the amount and type of information provided can vary substantially between principal investigators and campaigns. To support interoperability and FAIR principles, further enhancements to the ICARTT standards are recommended. Possible recommendations include standardizing timestamps for easier data comparisons and analysis; potential use of controlled and consistent vocabulary for variable short name and certain common metadata elements; and providing guidance on variable measurement units and how they are reported.

Megan Buzanowicz↗

ICARTT File Format Enhancements: Supporting FAIRness and Data Discovery of Suborbital Campaign Data

Suborbital campaigns aim to accomplish a wide variety of goals and can include a variety of platforms, instruments, and parameters measured. In 2004, the ICARTT (International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and Transformation) standards were developed to fulfill data management needs for the ICARTT campaign. The ICARTT file format is text-based and composed of a header with important data description information and the data section. Built on the NASA Ames and GTE data formats, the ICARTT format was created to facilitate data exchange and promote collaborations among the science teams for achieving the ICARTT campaign goals. Due to its success and adaptation for use in many other field campaigns, the ICARTT file format became a NASA standard in 2010 and was amended in January 2017. These changes provided many enhancements, including the requirement for variable standard names. Primarily designed for airborne field studies, ICARTT has been further utilized for ground-based studies. NASA has made a commitment to build an inclusive open science community over the next decade. Open-source science strives to make publicly funded scientific research transparent, inclusive, accessible, and reproducible. The ICARTT format can host metadata that is critical for proper use of the data, particularly for in-situ measurements, and can enhance data discovery and accessibility. However, the required fields are often free text, meaning that the information is human readable, but not machine interpretable. Furthermore, the amount and type of information provided can vary significantly between principal investigators and campaigns. To support FAIR principles and interoperability, enhancements to the ICARTT standards are recommended. Possible recommendations include potential use of controlled and consistent vocabulary for variable standard name and certain common metadata elements; standardizing timestamps for easier data comparisons and analysis; and providing guidance on variable measurement units and how they are reported. Enhancing ICARTT metadata can further streamline the process to make suborbital data more readily available to the data user and improve variable-level metadata. Providing more variable-level metadata can enhance data searching and discovery, supporting NASA’s Open-Source Science Initiative (OSSI).

Megan Buzanowicz↗

Computer-aided design file format for additive manufacturing and methods of file generation

A method of generating a tessellated output file comprising receiving a computer-aided design (CAD) model file defining a CAD model including a plurality of vertices, a plurality of curves, a plurality of surfaces, and at least one volume; generating base polygon data defining the CAD model for additive manufacturing, the base polygon data including a plurality of connected polygons, each polygon including a plurality of nodes, a plurality of edges, and a face; generating data for a vertex metadata container including a listing of CAD model vertices and one polygon node associated with each CAD model vertex; generating data for a curve metadata container including a listing of CAD model curves and at least one polygon edge associated with each CAD model curve; and generating data for a surface metadata container including a listing of CAD model surfaces and at least one polygon face associated with each CAD model surface.

Vernon, Gregory John↗

File-Format Program For Transferable Output ASCII Data

TOAD utilities machine-independent and require minimal central memory. Transferable Output ASCII Data (TOAD) file-format computer program facilitates transfer of data files from one computer installation to another. TOAD files preferred type and record length, easy to edit, read, and write on magnetic tape or transfer across communications networks. Applications programs write TOAD files directly and conform to all ANSI FORTRAN 77 standards.

Bingle, Bradford↗

CTN-004: Rubin Observatory Raw Data File Format

At the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory we write data from the LSSTCam and LATISS instruments using FITS format with one file written per detector. Here we discuss the layout of those FITS files and describe the FITS headers.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Radiation portal monitor data file format for comprehensive background radiation monitoring

Radiation portal monitors (RPMs) are widely used at border security checkpoints to detect the presence of radioactive materials in people, vehicles, and cargo. Typically, RPM detection systems consist of two pillars equipped with gamma and neutron detectors. To improve detection efficiency, RPMs employ techniques such as a limited energy window, dynamic alarm thresholds, and lead shielding. However, without continuous monitoring of background radiation, signal interpretation can be compromised, because environmental factors and mechanical failures can cause fluctuations. Here, we introduce a daily file format that logs gamma background and neutron background radiation levels continuously over a 24 h period; this format is different from traditional formats that record data only when the RPM is active or occupied. The approach enables RPM operators and analysts to (1) identify and diagnose malfunctioning components, (2) adjust system settings to account for dynamic environmental factors, and (3) use the recorded data to characterize outer space phenomena. Continuous background reporting is essential for identifying issues such as faulty connections, voltage divider failures, and errors in background updates. Continuous background reporting also enables the detection of external influences, including nearby X-ray scanners, temperature fluctuations, rainfall, cosmic radiation, and lunar phase changes. These data files are designed to be easily evaluated and parsed using common tools, and a quick review by an expert is often sufficient for problem diagnosis. We anticipate that continuous background radiation monitoring and these new strategies will significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of RPM systems, reducing the rate of false alarms and enhancing overall system performance.

Background radiation monitoring↗

Sesame ASCII File Format Version 1.21

The intended audience for this document is a Sesame IO library developer or anyone trying to write or parse Sesame ASCII files with no regards to the meaning of the actual content. LA-UR-92-3407 “SESAME: The Los Alamos National Laboratory Equation Of States Database” is the current document for describing the data contained in Sesame Database. This document describes the physical format in Sesame’s ASCII files. It may have a little information about the data in these files. However, this data is only cursory. Historically Sesame ASCII files are fixed format based on old 80-character punch cards. A stack of punch cards is called a card deck. Card decks were read into a computer using card readers and the first version(s) of FORTRAN had fixed file formats. Sesame ASCII files originate from this. Each ASCII File Format file represents a card deck.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Conversion of ORDEM 3.X & MEM 3 Into STENVI File Format

To perform Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) analyses, NASA describes the orbital debris particle environment using the ORDEM 3 tool and the micrometeoroid environment using the MEM 3 tool. Both output files that detail the flux of particles as a function of several parameters. European MMOD analyses use different tools to perform similar functions, including the Meteoroid And Space debris Terrestrial Environment Reference (MASTER) environment model, which outputs flux data in the Standard Environment Interface (STENVI) format. The NASA Johnson Space Center Hypervelocity Impact Technology Group was asked to create a converter to translate flux data from the output file formats used by ORDEM 3.x and MEM 3 into the STENVI file format. Validation was performed to ensure that the converter was reproducing the input data correctly. The Bumper 3 MMOD risk assessment tool has a capability for reading ORDEM 3.x, MEM 3, and STENVI environment file formats and was used to compare MMOD risk results generated using the converter’s output STENVI files to the risk results generated using the input ORDEM 3.x and MEM 3 igloo files. Specific point comparisons validated that the converter translated the environment data correctly, producing the intended output. However, realistic risk assessments showed that the bin methodology employed by Bumper for determining particle flux as a function of particle size when reading files in STENVI format produces much higher MMOD risk than the point-interpolation methodology used in Bumper risk assessments using ORDEM and MEM. Modifications to how Bumper 3 reads STENVI files during analyses are considered to improve Bumper’s ability to perform useful analyses with environment files in this format.

STENVI↗

Covariance Data File Formats for Whisper-1.0 & Whisper-1.1

Whisper is a statistical analysis package developed in 2014 to support nuclear criticality safety (NCS) validation. It uses the sensitivity profile data for an application as computed by MCNP6 along with covariance files for the nuclear data to determine a baseline upper-subcritical-limit (USL) for the application. Whisper version 1.0 was first developed and used at LANL in 2014. During 2015-2016, Whisper was updated to version 1.1 and is to be included with the upcoming release of MCNP6.2. This report describes the file formats used for the covariance data in both Whisper-1.0 and Whisper-1.1.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

A File Format and API for Dynamic Radar Cross Section Data

Often the Radar Cross-Section (RCS) of a target is incorrectly assumed to be a single number by those unfamiliar with electromagnetic scattering. In actuality, a target's RCS depends on many factors. These factors include radar signal frequency, radar observation angle, as well as target orientation. Another possible parameter (often not considered) is time. The RCS of targets may change over time due to movement, environmental changes, etc. In order to accurately represent the dynamic RCS of a target in a time-stepped analysis, the ability to interface with large RCS datasets efficiently is desired. To this end, a file format and API (written in C++) were developed and are described in this report.

42 ENGINEERING↗