Content Considerations and Determination of WSR-88D Software Builds

The WSR-88D system is tri-agency owned weather radar system that must satisfy operational requirements for the Department of Commerce (DOC/National Weather Service), Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Transportation (DOT/ Federal Aviation Administration). NEXRAD data and products are now distributed to, and used by, an ever increasing and wide array of users from various communities – including academia, commercial entities, and meteorological and scientific researchers. Periodic software builds must be accomplished to meet evolving requirements, to incorporate new scientific applications, and to generally improve the system. Content modifications to the WSR-88D software baseline typically include the implementation of over three-hundred software changes of all sizes, types, and levels of complexity. Proposed software changes may be typed or characterized as (1) new/improved science, (2) an enhancement - to system capability, performance, operations, etc., (3) an adaptive or externally driven change, and, (4) defect repair. The process for addressing a lengthy list of potential changes and arriving at a software build determination has been defined and executed. This process consists of a defined sequence of activities and involves a variety of players to accomplish the necessary evaluation, communication, negotiation, and prioritization. This paper will address both the considerations and processes involved in arriving at a WSR-88D software build definition.