Quality control

For the purpose of maintenance of better data quality, a quality control procedure was developed and was applied to TRITON data. We have two kind of data; one is real-time data collected via ARGOS system and the other is delayed mode data obtained from internal memory of recovered sensor.
The quality control procedure and quality indices basically follow those performed by PMEL to keep homogeneity as TAO/TRITON data.

Real-time TRITON data
A quality control of real-time TRITON data is routinely performed basically on a daily procedure.
At first, automatic flagging for data that belong to the outside of broad error specifications is performed.
Second, remaining data are examined using narrower range of error specification.
Finally, leftover suspect data are checked by visual inspection refering other comparable data (other parameter, neighboring site, climatology and so on).

Delayed mode TRITON data
Raw data obtained from internal memory of sensor are basically 10-min data. Because we performed pre- and post- calibrations of sensors, we can evaluate property change of sensors for data correction.
For the delayed mode data, we check the mechanical trouble of the sensor at first. Next, almost same procedure for real-time data is performed for recovered the 10-min data.

Quality indices

Quality index definitions for meteorological data:

0 = datum missing.

1 = highest quality; Pre/post-deployment calibrations agree to within
sensor specifications. In most cases only pre-deployment calibrations have
been applied.

2 = default quality; Pre-deployment calibrations were applied. Default value
for sensors presently deployed at the ocean and for sensors which were either
not recovered or not calibratable when recovered.

3 = adjusted data; Pre/post calibrations differ, or original data do
not agree with other data sources (e.g., other in situ data or climatology),
or original data are noisy. Data have been adjusted to correct for error.

4 = lower quality; Pre/post calibrations differ, or data do not agree
with other data sources (e.g., other in situ data or climatology), or data
are noisy. Data could not be confidently adjusted to correct for error.

5 = sensor or communication device failed.

Quality index definitions for CT/CTD data:

0 = datum missing.

1 = highest quality; Pre/post-deployment calibrations agree to within
sensor specifications. In most cases only pre-deployment calibrations have
been applied.

2 = default quality; Pre-deployment calibrations were applied. Default value
for sensors presently deployed at the ocean and for sensors which were either
not recovered or not calibratable when recovered.

3 = adjusted data; Pre/post calibrations differ, or original data do
not agree with other data sources (e.g., other in situ data or climatology),
or original data are noisy. Data have been adjusted to correct for error.

4 = lower quality; Pre/post calibrations differ, or data do not agree
with other data sources (e.g., other in situ data or climatology), or data
are noisy. Data could not be confidently adjusted to correct for error.

5 = sensor or communication device failed.

Quality index definitions for current data:

0 = datum missing.

1 = highest quality; Current direction correction has been applied,
using recovery data of pitch and roll.

2 = default quality; Pre-deployment calibrations were applied. Default value
for sensors presently deployed at the ocean and for sensors which were either
not recovered or not calibratable when recovered.

3 = adjusted data; Pre/post calibrations differ, or original data do
not agree with other data sources (e.g., other in situ data or climatology),
or original data are noisy. Data have been adjusted to correct for error.

4 = lower quality; Pre/post calibrations differ, or data do not agree
with other data sources (e.g., other in situ data or climatology), or data
are noisy. Data could not be confidently adjusted to correct for error.

5 = sensor or communication device failed.

Quality index definitions for position data:

0 = datum missing.

2 = default quality.

5 = buoy was largely moved from deployment position (over 6 nautical miles).