Import Picodas Data

Use the Database > Import > Picodas PDAS > Import Data menu option (PICODAS GX) to import binary Picodas data from the PDAS acquisition system.

Picodas PDAS is an airborne instrument data acquisition system that records multi-parameter airborne survey data. The system produces a set of files for each survey flight. The files include an ASCII header file and a number of binary data files that contain the data for each survey flight. The ASCII header file fully documents the contents of the binary data files and includes a list of the binary files for that flight.

In order to import PDAS data, you must create an import template file with extension .I1. This is an ASCII file that specifies the channels of data that you would like to import and the database channel in which you would like to place the data. The Scan Picodas Data (SCANPICO GX) can be used to scan a given Picodas header file and create a default import template that will import all data contained in the Picodas.

Import Picodas Data dialog options

Picodas Data File

Input data file name (PDAS header file). If not specified, the file indicated by the FILE parameter in the template is used.

Script Parameter: PICODAS.DATA

Picodas Template

Import template file name (.I1assumed)

Script Parameter: PICODAS.TEMPLATE

Application Notes

Picodas PDAS is an airborne instrument data acquisition system that records multi-parameter airborne survey data. The system produces a set of files for each survey flight. The files include an ASCII header file and a number of binary data files that contain the data for each survey flight. The ASCII header file fully documents the contents of the binary data files and includes a list of the binary files for that flight.

In order to import PDAS data, you must create an import template file with extension .I1. This is an ASCII file that specifies the channels of data that you would like to import and the database channel in which you would like to place the data. The SCANPIC GX can be used to scan a given Picodas header file and create a default import template that will import all data contained in the Picodas

If the "Specify coordinate system on import" setting is set to "Yes" in the General Settings, and if no coordinate system is defined in the current X and Y channels, the "Georeference Database Channels" dialog is called so that the projection can be set on the X and Y.

Picodas Import Template File Format (*.i1)

The PICODAS import program looks for the line that contains [IMPORT PICODAS], then reads the instruction lines that follow to determine which Picodas data channels to import and the names and characteristics of the Oasis channels in which to place the data. Instruction lines can be FILE, IMPORT, FIDUCIAL or ALIAS.

A default template can be created using the program SCANPICO.GX.

 

FILE

file_name

file_name

the name of the PDAS header file to import.

IMPORT

Picodas_name,Oasis_name,type,format,width,decimals

Picodas_name

is the channel name in the Picodas header file. Spaces in Picodas names must be replaced with an underscore in the IMPORT line. For example, Picodas name "Ch 2" must be specified as "Ch_2".

Oasis_name

is the channel name in the Oasis database.

Type

is one of byte, short, long, float or double.

Format

is one of normal, exponent, time or date

Width

is the default screen formats

Decimals

is the default screen formats

FIDUCIAL

FIDUCIAL Picodas_name

This line identifies the channel to be used as the fiducial. Dummy data will be entered into the data channels for any missing fiducials. Duplicate fiducials will be ignored. The FIDUCIAL line is optional and may only appear once.

ALIAS

ALIAS Picodas_line,Oasis_line

Picodas_line

This line enables you to rename Picodas lines to unique line names in the database. It may be necessary to force a particular line name, especially if the same line name is repeated in the PDAS file. If the PDAS file contains duplicate lines, only the last line will be imported unless the lines are re-named to unique names by ALIAS.

Oasis_line

If the 'Oasis_line' is left blank, the line will be skipped.

Note that ALL lines in a Picodas file must be identified by an ALIAS line, or NO lines should be identified. This is because Picodas files may contain a number of lines with the same name and the import program uses the order of ALIAS lines to determine the new names. If any lines are not defined, or if the defined lines do not match the names of the lines in the PDAS files, the import will stop with an error.

For example, if a PDAS file contains lines 100, 100 and 200 (line 100 is repeated), and the file is imported without ALIAS lines, the resulting database will contain only the second line 100 and line 200. It is most convenient to use the SCANPICO GX to create a default template when using the ALIAS command.

Importing many channels of data requires considerable memory resources. It is possible to run out of memory when importing more than 10 channels under OE. We recommend that you use the OS script processor to import larger datasets.

Import template:

[IMPORT PICODAS]

FILE s221103.t15

FIDUCIAL FID

IMPORT F1IP,F1IP,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT F1QD,F1QD,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT F2IP,F2IP,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT F2QD,F2QD,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT F3IP,F3IP,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT F3QD,F3QD,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT F4IP,F4IP,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT F4QD,F4QD,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT F5IP,F5IP,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT F5QD,F5QD,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT LTOT,LTOT,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT LQAD,LQAD,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT OTOT,OTOT,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT OQAD,OQAD,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT LTOT,LTOT,FLOAT,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT MAG1,MAG1,DOUBLE,NORMAL,10,1

IMPORT LAT,RAWLAT,DOUBLE,NORMAL,14,2

IMPORT LON,RAWLON,DOUBLE,NORMAL,14,2

IMPORT GALT,RAWALT,DOUBLE,NORMAL,14,2

IMPORT GTIME,GPSTIME,FLOAT,TIME,10,2

ALIAS L100,L100

ALIAS L100,L100.1

ALIAS L100,L100.2

ALIAS L200

ALIAS L200,L200

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