Products Availability Monitoring System (PAMS) An Indispensable Test and Evaluation Tool for AWIPS

With the introduction of the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), and its numerous associated data streams, a test and evaluation tool to verify data availability and timeliness for AWIPS users is necessary. In response to this need, the Office of Systems Operations of the National Weather Service Headquarters has developed a powerful and indispensable tool to quantify the effectiveness of the AWIPS communications networks in delivering weather-related products from data sources to field sites, and from field sites to field sites. Development of this new capability has begun at the NWSHQ since 1997, using in-house resource and expertise. PAMS has shown great benefits in a number of applications and promises more utilities for new AWIPS testing and monitoring applications for a multitude of AWIPS users and administrators. Key features of PAMS include: Completeness, flexibility, modularity, and ease of use. This paper describes the architecture and design of PAMS, data collection strategy and manipulation, data analysis methodology and representation, and supporting test data.