WinPlot
The Data Analyst’s Tool of Choice
Roger Moody
Computer Sciences Corporation
Marshall Space Flight Center
1
Agenda
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Objectives
Significance
Developmental Status
Assessment of Use
Innovation and Creativity
Awards
Closing Remarks
2
WinPlot
Objectives
• A desktop data analysis tool was needed to allow a user to
conduct detailed analysis of unrestrictive amounts of
propulsion test or flight data
• Needed powerful tool to evaluate the large quantities of data in a
very efficient and thorough manner
• High sample-rate test/flight data analysis software did not exist
which could handle the amount of data involved in analysis of
space vehicle propulsion systems.
• Commercially available tools did not … (get info here from J.
Herndon)
• The intent was to develop a tool that the engineer could easily
use to perform post-test/flight data analysis
• Ease in portability to data analyst’s desktops was key
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WinPlot
Background
• WinPlot and the read/write access libraries were developed solely
by Roger Moody, CSC, for NASA/MSFC
• WinPlot’s architecture is object oriented providing efficient code
development and maintainability for Windows-based software
• Access to various test data is achieved through the use of a
generic data access interface DLL (Dynamic Link Library)
• New data formats can be easily incorporated by simply adding the
format specific access functions to the generic data interface DLL
• Data from different acquisition and recording systems easily
aligned regardless of the sample rate
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WinPlot
Code Structure
Input
Data Sources
Application
generated
real-time files
Imported
Tabular Data
Data Files
Server/Local
Real-time
Network
Stream
Data Interfaces
Calculations
Data Filtering
View Selection
Function Selection
Data
Manipulation
SunAcc
(standard format)
xxxAcc
(foreign format)
yyyAcc
(foreign format)
DataAcc
Data Access
Manager
WinPlot
PCGAcc
(real-time)
Output
Control
User
Mouse/Keyboard
Control
WinPlot
Scripting
Files
External
Program
Control
Plots
Analysis
Hardcopy
Commands
EMF files
Presentations
Office Applications
Electronic transfers
Commands
Tabular
Commands
Other
Applications
(exported)
View of data
values
Direct export to
external programs,
spreadsheets etc.
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WinPlot
Highlights of Capabilities
• Runs on Windows 98, NT, XP, and 2000 Operating Systems
• C++ Object-oriented Software
• WinPlot data files are easily created by using supplied write
libraries and documentation
• Executable and associated files size is 15.5 Mb (including
large help file) and performs best on processors running >
200MHz and with RAM > 256Mb
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WinPlot
Background
• WinPlot uses highly compressed data files (>10:1),
decompresses them as required, enabling quick access of very
large files
• WinPlot’s native file format is structured such that complete
decompression is not required to access specific data
• Decompression is done within WinPlot, which greatly reduces
network bandwidth required for data servers
• This file structure and compression algorithm allows WinPlot to
quickly access and display large amounts of data
• WinPlot can open up to 1000 files and display up to 1000 curves
• Display still maintains individual data points for each curve to
ensure proper evaluation of data
• Amount of data is limited only by the memory and storage of
desktop computer
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WinPlot
File Structure
Basic Sun File Structure
Header
File Map
Comment Block
Parameter Data
Parm1 compressed
Parm2 compressed
….
Parmn compressed
- File ID
- Content Information
Typical Parameter Retrieval
1) User opens file
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File map retrieved and maintained
by WinPlot
Directory of Parameters
Parameter Information
Links to data positions
2) User defines time slice of interest
Optional Text block to
contain various notations
on file content, history
etc.
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Parameter is located in file map
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Begin and End locations of data
determined based on map pointers
and time offsets
Compressed blocks of
parameter data. Each
parameter individually
compressed using LZH
compression.
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File data is uncompressed and
discarded until begin position
reached
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Following data placed into data
buffer until end location reached
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Only selected parameter data must
be uncompressed for retrieval
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Not required (defaults may be used)
3) User selects parameter of interest
4) Parameter data displayed
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Data is now plotted or tabulated
and/or further manipulated
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WinPlot
Data Compression
Typical comparisons over non-compressed data formats.
Flight data example
Chill file:
~8 hours of data at 1 sample/second
Full file size:
79.3 Meg
Compressed file size: 2.6 Meg
Compression ratio:
>30:1
Ground test example
Engine file:
Full file size:
Compressed file size:
Compression ratio:
< 4 hours at 50 samples/second
31.2 Meg
2.3 Meg
> 13:1
Test facility example
Facility file:
< 4 hours @ 250 samples/second
Full file size:
489.5 Meg
Compressed file size: 66.5 Meg
Compression ratio:
>7:1
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WinPlot
Developmental Status
• WinPlot is fully operational and has been implemented in
flight and test data facilities across the country
• During the development phase, WinPlot went through
extensive testing by both the government and industry to
ensure it’s credibility
• Each new release of WinPlot goes through an extensive
beta test period, with a 35 person beta test group, and
verification process prior to formal release.
• Boeing Rocketdyne conducts a formal Software
Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP) prior to formal
software release and use.
• Updated versions of WinPlot are never released with any
known issues of system stability or reliability.
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WinPlot
Highlights of Capabilities
• WinPlot has standard Windows format and is controlled by pulldown menus or icons on the tool bar
• Certain functions can also be controlled by keypad strokes or
right mouse click
• Key Features:
• Point and click zooming
• Selectable user default settings
• Scripts for pre-established analysis
• One-step export to office products
• Calculations/mathematical expressions
• Data query tool
• Markers and Text added to graphs
• Trending
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WinPlot
Significant Features
• Scripting
• All interactive functionality is supported in WinPlot script language.
• The comprehensive functional support of scripting allows a user to do everything
from basic default setup to complete data analysis packages.
• Expressions
• Capability to perform a wide range of mathematical expressions, including standard
math functions.
• Allows users to make complex calculations by combining parameter data from
various sources/files, constants and math functions all within the same expression
with data automatically calculated for each point within a specified time period.
• Real-time
• Capability to display real-time data without limiting any functionality
• All interactive and scripting capability is available for real-time data analysis
• Real-time data can be intermixed with posttest data/flight data for comparative
analysis without performing any special setups
• Zoom and Pan –
• Data views can be easily manipulated via mouse or keyboard to achieve desired plot
• Scaling may be zoomed in/out or panned up/down/left/right to reach desired level of
detail
• Axes may be set specifically to a desired precision
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WinPlot
Developmental Status
• WinPlot has an extensive on-line help with examples for
each of its menu items
• Icons have pop-up descriptions
• Printed users guide is available
• WinPlot is very user-friendly and it’s basic features are
frequently self-taught
• Detailed classroom training is available
• Training package developed by Boeing, Rocketdyne
• Classes have been conducted by at several NASA
centers and throughout the Boeing Company
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WinPlot
Publications and Awards
• NASA On-line Software Catalog
• Soon-to-be-released NASA Tech Brief Article
• Computer Sciences Corporation’s prestigious Civil
Group President’s Excellence Award- September 2002
• NASA Space Act Award- Certificate of Recognition in
October 2002
• NASA Space Transportation Director Ingenuity AwardApril 2002
• NASA Software Award-NASA Inventions and
Contributions Board- January 02
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WinPlot
Major Programs/Projects Supported
• NASA Programs
• Human Exploration of Space (Code M) and Aerospace Technologies (Code R)
• WinPlot is currently used on NASA’s Next Generation Launch Technologies (NGLT) and
Space Shuttle programs.
• Future use of WinPlot will include the Operational Space Plane (OSP) and Expendable
Launch Vehicle (ELV) Programs
• Examples of Specific Projects:
Space Shuttle Main Engine ground test and flights
Space Shuttle Main Propulsion Systems tests and flights
X-33 Engine Component, Engine Systems, and Propulsion System Tests
X-34 Engine Component, Engine Systems, and Propulsion System Tests
X-37 Propulsion Systems Test
ASTP/NGLT RBCC engine tests
RS-27 Engine Tests and flights
RS-68 Engine Development and 1st flight
Delta IV propulsion system static test and flights
Atlas V RD-180 Engine Tests
Integrated Powerhead Demo- Joint Air Force/NASA project
Space Launch Initiative/NGLT- RS-83, RS84, TR-107, and Cobra Engine Component Tests
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WinPlot
Current Government and Non-Government Users
• Current Government Use
• Current Non-Government Use (10-50 Users)
• NASA, MSFC ( 400+ Users)
• Alliant Tech (Thiokol)
• NASA, SSC ( 50-250 Users)
• GASL
• Current Government Use (10-50 Users)
• Boeing, Huntington Beach
• NASA, GRC
• Florida Turbine Technologies
• NASA, LaRC
• Boeing Aircraft
• NASA, White Sands
• Det8, SMC/MVC (CCTF)
• U.S. Army AMCOM
• Boeing, WSTF
• U.S. Army Thaad Project
• Boeing, Wichita Kansas
• Current Non-Government Use
• Penn State Applied Research Lab
• Boeing, Rocketdyne, Canoga Park
( 400+ Users)
• Health Tactics
• Boeing, Rocketdyne, KSC ( 50-250
Users)
• Sverdrup Naval Systems Group
• Johnson Controls, Inc
• Plumbrook Operations Support Group
• Stone Engineering Company
• Aerojet
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WinPlot
Significance/Tangible Value
• Data analyses more thorough, easier, faster, and ultimately
cheaper than the methods previously used by NASA and the
aerospace industry.
• Reduced the average time of a propulsion test/flight data
analysis process from ~24 hours to 4 hours
• Allows more accurate and faster problem resolution.
• Reduced I.T. and support personnel cost by 75% @ MSFC
by allowing the test/flight data to be made available directly
at the engineer’s desktop.
• Similar impacts at other government and non-
government facilities.
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WinPlot
Benefits
• Allows researchers and engineers to examine data with
precision not previously or currently competitively available.
• Additional Benefits
• Efficient performance reduces the time spent in
research/test facilities.
• Reduced man-hours, facility power consumption, and
streamlined testing schedules
• Helps eliminates redundant testing, fuel and manpower
costs are lowered, and the risks of hazardous testing can
be minimized.
NASA/MSFC COST SAVINGS (to date)
• Conservatively estimated at greater than $5M (since 1998)
• Based on increased analysis efficiency and decreased data
processing/infrastructure
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WinPlot
Projected Future Use
• NASA’s/Air Force ELV/EELV Program
• Lockheed Martin- Atlas
• Boeing- Delta
• OSC- Pegasus
• NASA’s OSP Program
• DOD Military Aircraft Industry
• DOD Air Force Research Lab- Edwards AFB
• Expanded use at DOD- Army
• Expanded use at DOD- NAVY
• Expanded use at other NASA Centers- Ames, GRC,
LaRC, JSC, JPL
• Expanded use at University Research Laboratories
Letters of Endorsement- Please See Attached
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WinPlot
Features to be Demonstrated
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Pull down menus
Help file
Parameter filtering
Zoom
Min / max / avg
Delta values
Script recording
Favorites
Symbolic names
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Query Tool
Script file
Tiling plots
Filter helper
Export
Script execution
Power Point presentation
Integration with WinDisplay
tool
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WinPlot
Testimonials
• Special investigations … can be run in a
few hours. The compressed file format
takes only minutes to transfer and
standardized processing programs run
in a tenth of the time of the old
programs.
• I know of many instances where the
speed, the versatility, and the ability to
handle huge amounts of data have
made Winplot the fastest, if not the only,
tool available to rapidly assess historical
data during flight anomaly
investigations.
• I have been extolling the virtues of
Winplot to people within our
organization as well as to the customers
that come to our facilities to conduct test
programs. Every test engineer at GASL
now uses Winplot as do most of the
customers that have been introduced to
it. I have yet to hear a truly negative
comment about the software package in
all of the years of use at our facility.
• Winplot has become such a standard
tool for us that we often take for granted
how truly amazing this code really is. It
is our primary tool to plot and analyze
the wide array of data that forms the
backbone of our work. Winplot is as
much a part of our daily activities as a
word processor or a spreadsheet.
• Winplot is used not only to examine
collected test data, but also in
coordination with our own analytical
modeling tools. We use it to
simultaneously plot test data and
analytical model results.
• Through all of this, Roger has continued
with his unfailing customer focus, his
inventive genius, and his willingness to
listen to new ideas and try new things.
His attention to detail, meticulous
documentation, and thorough testing
reveals itself in nearly bug-free software
21
releases.