Configuration of RTM variables

The RTM default parameters configuration allows users to modify the default values of each atmospheric RTM key input variables. After the selection of a RTM through the Select RTM pop-up menu, the user should select the group of parameters (i.e., Atmospheric, Aerosol, Geometric, Spectral and Advanced) through the Parameters pop-up menu.

Each parameter within these groups is described by the following set of attributes:

  • Name: String with a short name identifying the parameter.*
  • Description: String with a brief description of the parameter.
  • Datatype: String defining the data type (STRING, INTEGER or FLOAT) associated with the parameter.
  • Paramtype: String defining the type of parameter: discrete (parameter can only take values e.g. 1, 2 and 3) or continuous (parameter can take any value between e.g. 1 and 3).*
  • Static: Attribute defining whether the parameter is static (1) or dynamic (0). Static refers to parameters that do not vary within a LUT while dynamic refers to parameters that vary within a LUT.
  • Default: Default value assigned to the parameter.*
  • Values: For discrete parameters, this attribute defines the possible set of values that can be selected. For continuous parameters, values contain the minimum and maximum values that can be assigned.*
  • Options: Set of strings defining the discrete values. Only valid for discrete parameters such as aerosol model or solar irradiance spectra.*
  • Units: String defining the units of the parameter. Empty attribute means dimensionless or not applicable.*
  • Visibility: Attribute defining the access of a given variable for a Basic, Medium or Advance user.

* Do not change these values!

The user can remove one or more of these parameters by activating their tick box and pressing the button at the bottom-right corner. In addition, users can eventually add new key input parameters by pressing the button. This will add an empty row on the table, where the user should then assign the corresponding attributes to the added parameter. However, this functionality does not imply that the new parameter can be used to run the RTM. For users willing to add new parameters on the existing RTMs supported by ALG, please contact us at alg.toolbox@gmail.com.

To apply the changes, click on the Apply or Apply and Close buttons. This will update the RTM configuration file (RTMconf.xml) stored in the ALG Conf subfolder. Notice that these changes (e.g., deleted parameters, change on the default attribute values) cannot be undone.