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ITA version 1.10 manual

Exploration Consultants Ltd

ITA™ ManualITA Version 1.10.34

withITZ Version 2.399

ITZwire Version 1.124March 2009

Version for Field QCsITA

Product ofRPS Energy

United Kingdom

www.rpsgroup.com



TABLE OF CONTENTSINTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................ 4

About RPS 4About ITA and ITZ 4Notes on this Manual 4Software Provided 5Hardware Requirements 5Test Data Requirements 6

Software Accessibility................................................................................................................................. 6Path Locations 6Configuring the System to use ITZ in Command Windows 6Setting the Environment Variables 6

Windows 95/98/ME 7Windows NT /2000/XP 7

Text Files from Utility Progress 7ITA Main Interface ...................................................................................................................................... 8

Starting ITA 8Menu Items 10

File Location Selection 11Read data from Tape using SCSI interface 11Find SEGD file(s) from disk file(s), output by FFID 13SEGD to IEEE SEGY transcription 14SEGD Format viewer/checker 16

D_VIEW 17ITZ Instrument Test Data analysis 18

Analysis Entries 19Analysis types 19Fixed System Scripting 20Using TestView to check SEGY Files 21

Method:......................................................................................................................................... 21Altering Parameters 25

Test Parameters (Pass/Fail Limits) ............................................................................................... 25Data File Parameters (Samples, Format, Etc) 26

ITZ Wireline Vibrator Data analysis 27TestView - view SEGY data file(s) 29Reporting from ITZ graphics or text files 32View ITZ Graphic results file(s) 34

ITA graphics viewer 35Extract individual file(s) from composite SEGY 36Make composite SEGY from several SEGY files 37INteger SEGY to IEEE SEGY transcription 39

Licensing ITA and ITZ .............................................................................................................................. 40ITA Licensing 40Using SLSADMIN.EXE 42

Checking Existing Licensing 45Licensing Problems 46

"Invalid Machine Code" 46Troubleshooting SCSI Read Problems ..................................................................................................... 47

RPS ITA SCSI Tape Reader 47PCMCIA (PC) Card Installation Tips for SCSI Tape Drives 47USB Mass Storage Driver Installation Tips for the USB to SCSI product 47

SCSI TAPE DRIVES 48Data Access 48

Procedures to access tape drives 48Data Format ............................................................................................................................................. 51

RPS Software and SEGY File Formats 51



Byte swap and Byte order 51IEEE or IBM Format SEGY 52

RPS ITA/ITZ Utilities 52ITA/ITZ 52TestView 52

Byte swap. .................................................................................................................................... 52Format Type ................................................................................................................................. 56

ITA 60ITA Instrument Test Methods ................................................................................................................... 61

Data Files 61Signal Type 61

Sine wave data (sinusoidal alternating current) 61Square wave data (step alternating current) 61Short period pulse data (single or long-period spike-type pulses) 61Long period pulse data (single-cycle square wave) 61Complex wave data (complex sinusoidal, square wave or pulsed alternating current) 62Very low level noise 62Low level noise 62Mixed traces with sine wave and low level noise 62Triangular wave data (saw-tooth alternating current) 62Decaying sine wave data (sinusoidal alternating current decaying to low level) 62DC (Direct Current) Level or similar offsets 62

Typical Test Data Files 62Common Mode Rejection 62Crossfeed or Crosstalk 63DC Offset 63Distortion / Harmonic Distortion 63Gain Similarity / Gain Accuracy 63Gain and Phase 63Impulse / Pulse 63Noise / Instrument Noise / Equivalent Input Noise 63Pattern 63

Data Analysis Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................. 64Background 64Problem Data Files 64

Typical problems: 64Third-Party SEGY data files .......................................................................................................... 64Examples of wrong format code.................................................................................................... 65

Problems with Harmonic Distortion Analysis 66Preferred Test Methods ................................................................................................................ 66

Other Problems 69SEGY Data Format 70

Notes And Known System Problems ........................................................................................................ 70Multiplexer Skew 70Sercel Systems Crossfeed 70



INTRODUCTION

ABOUT RPSRPS is an international consultancy group providing advice upon:• Development of land, property and infrastructure• Exploration and production of energy and other natural resources• Management of the environment• Health and safety of people.We trade in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Australia and South East Asia and undertakeprojects in many other parts of the world.

ABOUT ITA AND ITZITAThe ITA program provides a fast effective interface to the established RPS utilities including SEGY file handling andthe test data processing software called ITZ.ITA itself does not handle any file processing. It is simply a wizard-style interface that creates the environment andscripting needed to run the stand-alone utilities for file handling and processing. So ITA is designed as a simpleinterface using windows to write scripts driving all the standard ITZ utilities, and all the actual processing is handled byRPS software using scripts. Processing uses well proven algorithms, and tested software, developed since the early1980's. ITA simply makes the data handling easier and faster for those with limited experience of scripted systems.

ITZ and ITZWIREThe instrument test analysis program ITZ and the associated vibrator test analysis program ITZWire have been incontinuous use and improvement since 1982 for fast independent evaluation of the performance of seismic recordinginstruments and sources, by means of numeric analysis of test data files. The majority of the applied mathematicalroutines are those detailed in the SEG guidelines for instrument characteristics (Digital Seismic Recorder specificationstandards by SEG Subcommittee on digital seismic recorder specifications, Geophysics, 53, number 03, 1988),together with additional analysis routines using Fast or Discrete Fourier Transforms. These additional analysiscapabilities have been added to cope with specific test sequences used by equipment manufacturers, and to provideresponse plots from normal field data.ITZ is updated with manufacturer equipment specifications as new equipment comes on the market. All specificationsare held within the program. Test analysis becomes a simple case of "point and shoot", normally with no need for userinput for test specifications. It does mean that the recording system settings MUST be known for any test data! This isa normal requirement.ITZ/ITZWire are designed to run from scripted processing flows, from a command window. This means that withoutexperience, ITZ/ITZWire can be difficult to use, especially for those without DOS or similar scripting experience. Thewizard interface provided by ITA/ITTA takes over all scripting tasks, making ITZ/ITZWire the easiest to use of the RPSsoftware.ITZWire is the vibrator analysis software designed to process hardwire/wireline test data or independentaccelerometer test data from seismic vibrator surveys. The processing algorithms used in ITZWire are derived fromITZ.

BenefitsThe main benefits to the user from ITA/ITZ are ease, speed and accuracy.ITA has been specifically written to handle test processing is an efficient way, using PC's equipped with Windowssoftware. In addition, the continuous development of ITA and the associated utilities since the early 1980's hasallowed RPS to program for difficult test data sets, with minimal user intervention. No knowledge of processingsystems and techniques are required.ITA/ITZ are in constant use by RPS field QC's and by the software writer, for field use on geophysical surveys,Technical Audits, and in-house for small scale processing. This ensures constant improvement and accuracy.

NOTES ON THIS MANUALThe ITA manual provides a step by step guide to the use of ITA for instrument test and vibrator test data analysis, plushow to access the RPS ITZ suite of utilities for data access from tape drives, transcription from SEGD to SEGY, SEGDand SEGY format checking, and SEGY file handling.



The software ITA is in continuous use within RPS field quality assurance supervisors, so is constantly adapted for theusers. As such, the format of the windows, and even the functionality may be changed, normally by increasedcapability. This manual should be used as the basis to understand ITA and the ITZ utilities rather than an exactrepresentation of the way the program appears in use. If any additional functions are included with new ITA versions,then these will follow the same principles, and designed to be as simple as possible.

In case of any problems, always contact RPS.Alec Crawford - Senior Engineer, RPS Energy, 309 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon., RG9 1EL, UnitedKingdomTelephone +44 1491 415 45 Email [email protected]

SOFTWARE PROVIDEDThe main software utilities provided with ITA are detailed below. Each of these utilities can be used alone and run byscripting from a command window. All need a current license available from RPS Energy. Other utilities are added asrequired and as developed.• ITZ the main processing utility for instrument test files. This program reads data as standard SEG SEGY format,

and processes the data for standard analyses, and according to manufacturer or user specifications.• ITZwire the main processing utility for vibroseis test files. This program reads data as standard SEG SEGY format,

and processes the data for standard analyses, and according to manufacturer or user specifications.• ITZTape or WinTape will read any data files from SCSI tape drives to disk. ITZTape requires a PC card or

PCMCIA* card SCSI interface between the computer and the tape drive. WinTape requires a USB or PC cardSCSI interface. Both will require ASPI drivers to have been loaded. Without these SCSI drivers, it will not bepossible to read data from SCSI devices, such as tape drives. Note that for Windows 9x to Windows 2000, theASPI drivers will need to be loaded. For Windows XP, ASPI drivers are already loaded as part of the standardoperating system. *The PCMCIA card is recommended, together with WinTape. Files will be overwritten if the useris not careful!

• R_D2Y will convert demultiplexed SEGD disk files (8xxx) to ITZ standard IEEE 32 bit SEGY files (little-endian) withvalues in millivolts to preserve definition. Files will not be overwritten, but given different identifiers.

• R_D2D will break apart large concatenated "lumps" of SEGD files into individual files. It can also be used to readthe FFID number from any SEGD file regardless of file name, and write a file with the file name based on the FFIDnumber. Files will not be overwritten, but given different identifiers.

• TestView allows the user to view the header and trace data in a IEEE SEGY file. In addition, selected trace datacan be saved in simple numerical format to a CSV type file for independent analysis using spreadsheets. This is apowerful utility on its own.

• D_VIEW. SEGD viewer (from disk file image of a SEGD file). This utility is used to investigate SEGD files andcheck the format and readability of the file. Primary use is during a Technical Audit.

• Segy_Bind. SEGY file binder. Multiple SEGY files can be joined into one output SEGY file. This utility relies on allfiles having the same number of traces and samples. Traces and samples are detected from the first of the SEGYfiles opened.

• Segy_Ffid. SEGY file splitter. Multiple SEGY files can be split into each of the individual FFID's as a separate file.The output SEGY files will be named from the FFID. Repeat FFID's will not be overwritten.

• Segy_Int2ieee. SEGY file converter. Convert integer sample value SEGY (format 2 or 3) to IEEE standard SEGYfiles. Repeat FFID's will not be overwritten.

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTSThe minimum system requirements to run ITA and ITZ are;• Intel 486 CPU• 64 Mb of RAM memory• At least 16 megabytes hard disc space for all the utilities and associated files• Preferred at least 1 gigabyte hard disc space for data (more depending on data requirements)• Windows 32 bit - Windows 95 / NT / 2000 / XP. (Not yet tested with MS Vista, so Vista is not recommended).• Suitable SCSI hardware and ASPI software to allow access to tape or cartridge drive (optional - only needed if the

user requires to access data tape drives).

mailto:[email protected]



TEST DATA REQUIREMENTSNote that the data is checked for unreasonably large values (over 2,000,000,000 millivolts), and unreasonable channelset numbers over 32. If any traces show such high values or incorrect channel set identifiers, then the trace may beflagged as bad. If values are known to be good and are actually over 2000000000 in value, then use the descalermultiplier to reduce the values below this cut-off setting for ITZ Instrument Test Data analysis or ITZ Wireline Dataanalysis (File Settings).Access the data directly as SEGD files from the tape drives or recording system hard drives if at all possible. This waythe data will not have been altered in any way during reading/writing, or transcription to SEGY. Never allow test data tobe resampled or filtered. Data sample values should not be changed from the original values (millivolts) in the originalSEGD data files. Changing sampling or samples defeats the object of analysing test data.For vibrator test data or any source test data (air gun near-field tests, etc) ALWAYS record at 1 millisecond samplingor finer, in order to preserve the high frequencies.

SOFTWARE ACCESSIBILITYFor normal access to the various ITZ utilities through the ITA interface, no special set-up is required.If the user requires to access the RPS ITZ utilities from a command window, for complete control including userscripting, rather than operating the software through the ITA interface, it is vital that the installation location for the ITAsoftware is identified in the operating system path.Normally, software will load all common files to the Windows\System folders. This makes all the installed softwarefunction correctly. ITA does not do this. This is so the Windows folders are not overloaded and there can be nopossibility that vital files are overwritten. Some standard run-time files required for Visual Basic will be installed in theSystem folders, if these are not already present.

PATH LOCATIONSIt is recommended you place data in locations with as short and simple path locations as possible. If the path to thesoftware or data files exceeds 255 characters, then Windows 32 bit systems cannot process the path names, and ITAcannot find the files. Errors will result.ITA will report if the path name exceeds 255 characters, and refuse such long path names. In this case transfer all filesto the C: drive or other location and start again.

CONFIGURING THE SYSTEM TO USE ITZ IN COMMAND WINDOWSBefore ITZ and the related ITZ utilities can be used correctly from command windows (DOS style), it is IMPORTANTthat the system be configured.• If a PCMCIA or PC card SCSI interface card will be used to provide access to tape drives, install the ASPI drivers

needed for the SCSI communications. ASPI drivers provide the software interface between tape drives and theSCSI cards fitted to the PC. ASPI drivers are currently available from web sites such as the Adaptec Company.

• If a USB SCSI interface device is to be used to allow access to tape drives, then ASPI drivers are not needed.• Use a suitable SCSI interface card/USB SCSI interface device to allow access to tape drives. Once the PC card is

installed with the ASPI drivers then connect to the tape drive (powered up). If using a USB SCSI device, ensureseparate power is provided to the USB device, connect to the tape drive (powered up), then finally, connect to thePC. You may need to reboot the PC to recognise the tape drives. In case of problems recognising tape drives, seethe document SCSI_Tape_Drives for further help and troubleshooting.

• The path for the ITA files, including all the ITZ utilities should be set in the system path. This is accomplished bythe process detailed next:

SETTING THE ENVIRONMENT VARIABLESThe directory paths used in the following passages assume that you have installed both the ITA and ITZ utilitiesreleases under /ITA on drive C:/, i.e. all files are in C:\ITA. This is the recommended installation location. You shouldadjust the directory paths to reflect your installation folder.The following sets the search path variables for executable programs. It is required for ease of use of ITZ and ITZwire,etc. by direct scripting.ITA and the utilities will work without the path settings as below, but direct scripting will be difficult.



WINDOWS 95/98/MEOpen your favourite text editor and add the following to your system's AUTOEXEC.BAT file:set ITA_HOME=C:\ITAset CLASSPATH=.;%ITA_HOME%set PATH=%PATH%;%ITA_HOME%

WINDOWS NT /2000/XPDouble-click the System icon inside the Control Panel.When the System Properties dialog box opens, choose the Environment variables under the Advanced tab.Place the following in the list box which is labelled "User Variables":Variable ValueITA_HOME C:\ITAPATH %PATH%;%ITA_HOME%Note: Be careful not to change your system environment variables, which appear in the other list box.

TEXT FILES FROM UTILITY PROGRESSMost of the utilities use script files, and some create temporary text files when run. ITA will, by default, clean up andremove these text files when you exit the program.The text files can be kept for reference if you select so from the menu in the main ITA window.REMOVE ITZ SCRIPT FILESChecking this item will remove all script files written by ITA. This gives a slight saving in disk space.Usually the script files will be deleted. Retaining the files allows you to read these to see what ITA has passed to therelevant utilities. Leaving the script files will also allow the user to combine scripts into one file form repeatedprocessing. A batch file can be written to call ITZ.exe or ITZWire.exe (or other utilities) and pass the script files forprocessing.

Before ITA is shut down, regardless if you have selected to retain or remove the script files, you can navigate to theworking folder and read the script files using a text editor such as Notepad.



ITA MAIN INTERFACE

STARTING ITA(For ITTA) On starting ITA, the main screen will be displayed. This is the interface to allow the user to select eachseparate task, associated with one or more stand-alone ITZ utilities.

The user simply decides what process needs to be accomplished and click the required button. Each button will call anew wizard interface or stand-alone utility, as detailed below:

Tape Read and SEGD File UtilitiesREAD DATA FROM TAPE USING SCSI INTERFACERead data from tape files using SCSI interface devices, either PC card, PCMCIA card or USB device.

FIND SEGD FILE(S) FROM DISK FILE(S), OUTPUT BY FFIDRead SEGD data file(s) from disk and separate any individual SEGD files by FFID. Use to find files from any data fileincorporating one or more SEGD file(s). This is useful to identify the SEGD files from files read from tape asTAPEFILE.XXX using the RPS tape read utilities.

SEGD TO IEEE SEGY TRANSCRIPTIONRead SEGD data file(s) from disk and transcribe to IEEE standard (little-endian) SEGY. Capable of transcribing anyuser selected channel types (identified in the SEGD file).



SEGD FORMAT VIEWER/CHECKERRead a SEGD file and view the header and sample values. Check SEGD format and readability.

SEGY File Data Analysis and ReportingITZ INSTRUMENT TEST DATA ANALYSISWizard scripting interface for the RPS ITZ Instrument Test Analysis ITZ software. This is the main interface allowingInstrument Test analyses on recording system test files. Files must be in SEGY standard format.

ITZ WIRELINE VIBRATOR DATA ANALYSISWizard scripting interface for the RPS ITZWIRE software, for Vibrator Hardwire - Wireline data analysis. This is theinterface allowing vibrator test data analysis. Files must be in SEGY standard format and include a reference trace anda vibrator ground force trace.

TESTVIEW - VIEW SEGY DATA FILE(S)Pass SEGY data files to RPS TestView. TestView will open the files showing wiggle plots from three traces. TestViewprovides SEGY format checker, viewer, and FFT/DFT analysis, plus transcription capability to create Pelton formatSIG data files.

REPORTING FROM ITZ GRAPHICS OR TEXT FILESRapid reporting from the graphical or text results from the Instrument Test Analysis ITZ software. This requires eitherMS Word, or an HTML viewer to be installed on the users PC.

VIEW ITZ GRAPHIC RESULTS FILE(S)Viewer for the graphics results files produced by ITZ analyses.

SEGY File UtilitiesEXTRACT INDIVIDUAL FILE(S) FROM COMPOSITE SEGYAccess a utility to extract individual SEGY data files from any composite SEGY file. Individual SEGY data files can beextracted as stand-alone SEGY files. The general header will be the same as for the composite SEGY file.

MAKE COMPOSITE SEGY FROM SEVERAL SEGY FILESAccess a utility to create one SEGY data files from several individual SEGY files. Individual SEGY data files can beconcatenated to a single SEGY files as long as the number of traces and the number of samples are the same for allfiles. The general header will be the same as for the first SEGY file.

INTEGER SEGY TO IEEE SEGY TRANSCRIPTIONAccess a utility to create IEEE format SEGY data files from Integer (16 and 32 bit) SEGY data files. The values in thegeneral header will remain unchanged apart from the format code.



MENU ITEMSThe menu item Help allows the user to show this ITA manual in PDF format.

The menu item File allows the user to select from the following:REMEMBER INPUT/OUTPUT FOLDERSChecking this item will force ITA to remember the folder locations regardless which utility window is opened. If thisoption is deselected, then every window can have its own working folders.

SET DEFAULT WORK FOLDERSA default folder can be selected. This will override all the remembered folder locations for the different utility sub-windows. This can be used when starting a new project, to help avoid tedious searches for folders.

FILERemove ITZ Script FilesThis item will force ITA to remove old script files when closing each sub-window. Checking this item will remove allscript files written by ITA. This gives a slight saving in disk space.

Remove ITA Configuration FileChecking this item will force ITA to remove old configuration files, where the folder locations are stored. When ITAstarts, it will have lost the previous references to working folders.If deselected, ITA will use the previous working locations to start.Read ITA Configuration FileSelecting this item will call up the current ITAconf.txt file using the users default text file viewer.

DEBUGGINGCheck for Degugging MessagesThis is normally not selected. Selecting will make ITA show continuous messages as processing takes place, soprogram flow and errors can be traced. This will normally be used under the direct guidance of RPS TechnicalDepartment for fault finding.

LICENSE ITAThe menu item License ITA calls the utility ITA_License.exe, which allows entering and registering the licensing codefor the ITA/ITZ utilities.

EXIT ITAIf the user selects Exit ITA, or close the main ITA window, then the main ITA window and all sub-windows will close.

Emergency ExitDouble-clicking the ITA icon on the main interface will show contact details for support from RPS. TAKE CARE not toclick the Cancel button or hit escape, as this will stop ITA and all sub-windows. This functionality is included in case ofsevere problems with ITA, as a way to force ITA to stop.



FILE LOCATION SELECTIONAll the different utility windows use a simple button so the user can select working folders.This has been changed from earlier ITA versions (1.10.12 and earlier) to provide full 32 bit functionality.

READ DATA FROM TAPE USING SCSI INTERFACERead data from tape files using SCSI interface devices, either PC card, PCMCIA card or USB device.

If the Read Data from Tape using SCSI Interface button is clicked, a window will open as shown.

The user should select the folder where the data files are to be stored. Data files can be very large, so plenty of diskspace may be needed!Once a working folder has been selected, where the files to be read from tape will be written, the user must checkwhat tape drives are available and connected to the SCSI interface.For purposes of this example, the input folder will be C:\TEST.

ITA supports both PC card (PCMCIA or full PC card) or USB type SCSI interface devices. These have differentcommand structures so require different software. Depending on the SCSI interface device in use, The user shouldcheck either the PC card SCSI or the USB SCSI check box. Click the Check Pccard SCSI interface or the CheckUSB SCSI interface buttons to ensure the correct communication is established. Clicking either of these will also setthe interface device type.The tape drives (if any) will be interrogated and available drives will be shown in a text box. The user should wait forthe interrogation process to complete.If no tape drives are recognised, and the user has connected the SCSI interface and tape drive, try rebooting the PC.This normally allows the operating system to recognise the tape drives.For possible fixes for other problems, see the section Troubleshooting SCSI Read Problems.



If tape drives are recognised, the parameters need to be set so the data can be read from a particular tape drive.The SCSI ID / tape index number will be shown in the text box. Only ID numbers that are in use should be selected forthe SCSI ID / tape index number.Select the tape index number.Optional - select the buffer size (default will be the interface card default buffer).Optional - select if the tape will first be rewound or not.Optional - select to skip any files before reading data files.Optional - select how many files to read in, if the default of up to 999 is not applicable.Optional - select if the tape will be unloaded.Hit the Read Files from Tape to Disk button to start reading data from tape. The utility WinTape will open, as an itemin the taskbar. The utility will not open in a full window, but as a minimised window. For long processes, clicking on thisitem in the taskbar will show the utility in a full window, and allow monitoring of progress or any problems.

The Problems? button will give hints for common problems encountered using the tape reader software.

It will also open a document SCSI_Tape_Drives with further details about common problems.



FIND SEGD FILE(S) FROM DISK FILE(S), OUTPUT BY FFIDRead SEGD data file(s) from disk and separate any individual SEGD files by FFID. Use to find files from any data fileincorporating one or more SEGD file(s).This is useful to identify the SEGD files from files read from tape as TAPEFILE.XXX using the RPS tape read utilities.It is also useful where third party software has provided SEGD data with multiple SEGD files in one "lump" or wherethe file name makes it difficult to identify the FFID. SEGD files stripped from the input file will be named by the FFIDnumber, and a sequential number in case there is more than one file with the same FFID.

If the Find SEGD file(s) from disk file(s), output by FFID button is clicked, the following window will open.

The file list will show any files that match the file type filter. This defaults to tape*.* to match file names from the use ofthe ITA tape read software.

The user should select the folder where the data files are stored. Use the drop-down list for standard file identifiers(suffixes or extensions). Any available files that correspond to the file identifier type will be shown in a list.Select where to save the output files.Select multiple files by using the mouse and dragging down while holding down the left button, or select individual filesby holding the Ctrl key on the computer keypad, and left clicking files.

The utility will create individual SEGD files split from selected files, and the output files will be named by the FFID. Toavoid overwriting files with the same FFID number the files also have numeric identifiers.

The option is also given to delete selected files. Take care, as deleted files will NOT be recoverable from the Recycledfolder.

The utility R_D2D will open, in a separate window. This allows monitoring of progress or any problems.



SEGD TO IEEE SEGY TRANSCRIPTIONRead SEGD data file(s) from disk and transcribe to IEEE standard (little-endian) SEGY. Capable of transcribing anyuser selected channel types (identified in the SEGD file).

If the SEGD to IEEE SEGY transcription button is clicked, the following window will open.

The user should select the folder where the data files are stored. Use the drop-down list for standard file identifiers(suffixes or extensions). Any available files that correspond to the file identifier type will be shown in a list.Select where to save the output files.Select multiple files by using the mouse and dragging down while holding down the left button, or select individual filesby holding the Ctrl key on the computer keypad, and left clicking files.Note that there is the option to select the channel types to include in the SEGY file. Check those types that needed forinclusion in the SEGY file. For normal test purposes, it is suggested only the standard seismic data channels shouldbe selected, as the auxiliary channels may not have the test signal recorded. For other analyses such as vibratorsimilarity analysis, select all channel types and use the "Select All types" button.For problem SEGD data files (data files with errors in format), where the channel sets in the trace headers and themain headers do not match, the utility to transcribe data can have problems and output a SEGY file where the number



of traces does not match the main header. In this case use the "Select All types" button. This will force the utility todump all data to the SEGY output file regardless of channel set. Note the SEGD file will still be incorrect and should bereported as such. Check the SEGD format using the SEGD format checker.


In the case of problem data files, try using one of the other options from the Version of SEGD to SEGY conversionutility to be used. Each option will use a different version of the transcription utility specifically developed to handleparticular problem files.



SEGD FORMAT VIEWER/CHECKERRead a SEGD file and view the header and sample values. Check SEGD format and readability.

If the SEGD Format viewer/checker button is clicked, the following window will open.

The user should select the folder where the data files are stored. Use the drop-down list for standard file identifiers(suffixes or extensions). Any available files that correspond to the file identifier type will be shown in a list.

Select multiple files by using the mouse and dragging down while holding down the left button, or select individual filesby holding the Ctrl key on the computer keypad, and left clicking files.


The utility D_VIEW will open, consecutively, for as many files as were selected.



D_VIEW

The viewer allows the SEGD file readability to be checked (can D_View read the file and all entries?), and all entries inthe data file and header can be investigated.



ITZ INSTRUMENT TEST DATA ANALYSISWizard scripting interface for the RPS ITZ Instrument Test Analysis ITZ software. This is the main interface allowingInstrument Test analyses on recording system test files. Files must be in SEGY standard format.

If the " ITZInstrument Test Data Analysis " button is clicked, the following window will open.

The user must select a folder where the SEGY data files are located, AND a working folder where the result files canbe stored. It is possible to create folders. Use the "Set Input Folder" and the "Set Output Folder" buttons.

Once the folder has been selected, data file types can be selected from the drop-down bar above " 3) Select a file typefilter." Any files corresponding to the selected type will be shown in the list box.



Select multiple files by using the mouse and dragging down while holding down the left button, or select individual filesby holding the Ctrl key on the computer keypad, and left clicking files. *Take care if you select the trace numbers toanalyse, if the selected files have different numbers of traces, as this can cause problems with analysis.

The name of the first selected file is displayed in the text box labelled "SEGY file"Because a SEGY file may contain multiple FFID's within the same file, the capability is provided to select one FFIDfrom a multiple file. This is entered in the text box labelled "For SEGY files with multiple FFIDs, select the FFIDnumber".If only one FFID is present in the SEGY file, this entry in not necessary. By default, the first FFID found will beprocessed.

ANALYSIS ENTRIESUser parameter entries must follow the sequence given in the following text.1. The user can enter suitable text to be used as a title for all result files.2. Select the recording system from those in the drop-down list box labelled "5) Select the recording SYSTEM (loads

default specifications)". By selecting a recording system the manufacturers specifications will be loaded.3. Select a preamplifier (or K) gain that applies to the data file(s), from the drop-down list box labelled "6) Select the

PREAMPLIFIER (K) gain (alters specifications)". The preamplifier gain also adjusts the manufacturerspecifications for tests.

4. Finally, select a particular analysis routine to be applied to the data file(s) from the drop-down list box labelled "7)Select the ANALYSIS routine to use on the data". The test analysis names are generally recognised standardnames for the analyses relevant to different types of test data. For example Noise/DC Offset expects a file withsystem noise (inputs shorted and only self-generated recording system noise present).

ANALYSIS TYPESAnalyses with a dollar sign $ indicate these are standard types of analysis as defined by the SEG Standardscommittee.Other specialist analysis types are ** for non-standard instrument tests, F for field tests of external equipment, and @for specialist analyses.

Note that if files are deselected or different files are selected, the test parameters should be entered again asnecessary.

Once the test parameters have been selected, clicking the "Run ITZ on the selected files using the parametersselected" will run the test analysis on all the selected files.

Once completed, the ITA Analysis Results window will open to allow the user to check the analysis results.

If extra help is needed, click the "Provide help for analysis routines" box. This will allow messages to be shownproviding some help for analysis and other selections.



FIXED SYSTEM SCRIPTINGITA has certain scripts to enable processing of test data from recording systems that always create a fixed set of data.

To access this capability:1. Set up the input and output folders, as normal2. Enter a suitable title for all the processed results (line 5 on the main ITA Script File Processing window).3. Select the first file from the series of SEGY files for that test set. *All the files associated with that test set MUST

be named or numbered consecutively, as ITA will automatically pick the next files from the list for processing aspart of that test set!)

Processing will then take place.

If insufficient files exist for the expected test set, then ITA will not process the data. Make sure the files arepresent, and consecutive, and you pick the first file from the set for processing.



USING TESTVIEW TO CHECK SEGY FILESTestView can be used to check how many FFID's are within each SEGY file, and examine the raw data.

Method:

Select the SEGY file to open.Once opened, use the Select Traces option.

SEGY files can contain many FFIDs. The SEGY files created through the ITA utilities will only be one FFID per SEGYoutput file. Other SEGY files can contain multiple FFIDs, so it is suggested to use the following method to open theFFID(s)



Enter values of 1 to 9999 to read in all possible FFID's from the SEGY file.

Once open, the user can scan down through the traces and FFID's to see what is available. For large files, loading thetrace and FFID values may take some time!



Select a trace to view it as a time-series plot.

Double-click the trace selected to view as time-series.



If you move the slider bar on the right-hand-side of the time-series window to the mid-position, the time series data ispassed through a Fourier transform procedure and the amplitude by frequency spectrum is shown.

Move the slider bar to the bottom and the phase response from the Fourier transform is shown (wrapped mode).



ALTERING PARAMETERSManufacturer specifications will be set once the recording system and preamplifier gain settings have been selected.All manufacturer specification parameters are stored within the ITZ processing software. These are used for pass/faillimits in analyses.Data parameters are read from the data file header. These are particular to the file only and include sample interval,samples, traces, etc.

If any pass/fail parameters need to be altered for non-standard analyses, the user should the file or files to beanalysed, select the analysis type, then click the "Analysis Parameters" button.

Test Parameters (Pass/Fail Limits)The test parameters for that recording system and preamplifier gain will be displayed in a window.The parameters can be adjusted and the new parameters will be applied to all analyses of the selected files.The example below shows parameters for an impulse analysis.

If the user wishes to cancel any changes, use the "Cancel changes" button.If the user wants to refresh the values, click the "Analysis Parameters" button on the ITA Script File Processingwindow.



DATA FILE PARAMETERS (SAMPLES, FORMAT, ETC)The data read from the header of last test file selected will be shown.

The user can adjust any of these parameters. Typical use would be to limit the samples processed, change theByteswap settings, or limit the traces to be processed. Normally, overriding the format, sample interval and descalemultiplier would only be necessary for non-standard SEGY files.The new settings will be applied to all analyses of the selected files.

GREAT CARE is needed when adjusting any test parameters and a detailed knowledge of the data andrecording system is required!

If the user wishes to cancel any changes, use the "Cancel changes" button.If the user wants to refresh the values, click the "File Settings" button on the ITA Script File Processing window.



ITZ WIRELINE VIBRATOR DATA ANALYSISWizard scripting interface for the RPS ITZWIRE software, for Vibrator Hardwire - Wireline data analysis. This is theinterface allowing vibrator test data analysis. Files must be in SEGY standard format and include a reference trace anda vibrator ground force trace.

If the " ITZ Wireline Vibrator Data analysis " button is clicked, the following window will open.

Select the folder where the SEGY data files are kept (for the reference and ground force trace data), AND the folderwhere the result files can be stored. It is possible to create folders. Use the "Set Input Folder" and the "Set OutputFolder" buttons.

Once the folders have been selected, data file types can be selected from the drop-down bar above " 3) Select a filetype filter." Any files corresponding to the selected type will be shown in the list box.

Select one file for the reference data by using the mouse in the first file list.



Select one file for the ground force data by using the mouse in the second file list.These files can be the same. *Note that the ITZWIRE utility expects both files to have the same number of samples,and the start point (time) for each file must be the same, so the same time sequence for the reference data is selectedas for the force data. This means that if a window is specified from the first millisecond to the 16000th millisecond (16seconds of data) then this window is applicable to both the reference and the force traces.

The name of the selected file for the reference trace is displayed in the text box labelled "Reference trace SEGY fileselected"Because a SEGY file may contain multiple FFID's within the same file, the capability is provided to select one FFIDfrom a multiple file. This is entered in the text box labelled "For SEGY files with multiple FFIDs, select the FFIDnumber". If only one FFID is present in the SEGY file, this entry in not necessary. By default, the first FFID found willbe processed.

Select the file for the ground force trace. The name of the selected file for the ground force trace is displayed in thetext box labelled "Ground Force trace SEGY file selected"

Select the trace number (sequential number not trace ID number) for the reference trace then the ground force trace.

The user can enter suitable text to be used as a title for all result files.

Finally, select the start time in milliseconds, and the end time in milliseconds for the sweep data in the files. ITA willassume the files have the same start time, as the start and end times will be used to extract data from both files.

Note that if files are deselected or different files are selected, the test parameters should be entered again asnecessary.

Click the "Run ITZ wireline analysis" button to process the data.

Once completed, the ITA Analysis Results window will open to allow the user to check the analysis results.

Note that it is permissible to have time offsets between the reference and the ground force traces. Enter suitablevalues if required.



TESTVIEW - VIEW SEGY DATA FILE(S)Pass SEGY data files to RPS TestView. TestView will open the files showing wiggle plots from three traces. TestViewprovides SEGY format checker, viewer, and FFT/DFT analysis, plus transcription capability to create Pelton formatSIG data files.

If the " TestView - View SEGY Data File(s) " button is clicked, the following window will open.

The user should select the folder where the data files are stored. Use the drop-down list for standard file identifiers.Any available files that correspond to the file identifier type will be shown in a list.Select multiple files by using the mouse and dragging down while holding down the left button, or select individual filesby holding the Ctrl key on the computer keypad, and left clicking files.




On selecting a file or files, TestView will open showing a window as below

The first three traces will have been selected, and the trace data displayed, as in the next image:



The TestView utility is a very powerful tool for viewing, checking and investigating SEGY data.



REPORTING FROM ITZ GRAPHICS OR TEXT FILESRapid reporting from the graphical or text results from the Instrument Test Analysis ITZ software. This requires eitherMS Word, or an HTML viewer to be installed on the users PC.

If the " Reporting From ITZ Results Graphics Or Text Files " button is clicked, the following window will open.

The user should select the folder where the data files are stored. Use the drop-down list for standard file identifiers.Any available files that correspond to the file identifier type will be shown in a list.



This utility is to allow the user to quickly load multiple graphics OR text files (do not mix file types) to MS Word, or to aHTML document, for reporting. ITA and ITZ may create tens of results files. If all are required in the final report, it istedious to individually find and load each file. This utility allows rapid loading of files to either MS Word, or to an HTMLdocument.

This utility needs the user to have MS Word installed on the computer if the option to send files to Word is selected!Please note Do NOT close MS Word between consecutive use of this utility, as an error will result. This is a problemwith the way MS Word handles the passing of files. If the system reports an error, close the ITA Reporting windowthen restart again from the main ITA window. This is a known bug in MS Word. If Word is already open, a newinstance of Word may be opened, and do not close this secondary instance of Word before you finish loading files toyour documents.



Select the page layout format for inclusion in Word documents. As stated, do not mix data types, text with graphicsfiles, or the results will be incorrect. Images will be loaded one image to a page. If you need to include two images perpage, then edit the file after you are finished with this utility.

The HTML document creation will ask for a file name. The file will be stored in the current output folder. Once created,the HTML document will be opened in the users default HTML file viewer.



VIEW ITZ GRAPHIC RESULTS FILE(S)Viewer for the graphics results files produced by ITZ analyses.

If the " View ITZ Graphic Results File(s) " button is clicked, the following window will open.

The user should select the folder where the files are stored. Use the drop-down list for standard file identifiers. Anyavailable files that correspond to the file identifier type will be shown in a list (as in the image above).Select multiple files by using the mouse and dragging down while holding down the left button, or select individual filesby holding the Ctrl key on the computer keypad, and left clicking files.


Double-clicking any file name will send the selected file to the users default Windows application. This is useful if theuser has a graphics viewer associated with the selected graphics file type, and would prefer to use this to view theimages.



ITA GRAPHICS VIEWERUsing the "View selected file(s) using ITA viewer" will send the selected files to the ITA graphics viewer. This viewingwindow allows the user to zoom in (left click of mouse button when mouse is over the image) or zoom out (right click ofmouse button). Use the menu selections to view the next image from a selection, or open a new graphics file.

The cursor bars allow normal movement of the viewing pane if the window is smaller than the image.

If the user requires to load a standard image file, the Browse for Files and Folders interface will start, and the user canfind and select (highlight) the image files.



EXTRACT INDIVIDUAL FILE(S) FROM COMPOSITE SEGYAccess a utility to extract individual SEGY data files from any composite SEGY file. Individual SEGY data files can beextracted as stand-alone SEGY files. The general header will be the same as for the composite SEGY file.

If the " Extract individual file(s) from composite SEGY " button is clicked, the following window will open.

The user must select a folder where the SEGY data files are located, and a folder where the output files can be stored.It is possible to create folders. Use the "Set Input Folder" and the "Set Output Folder" buttons.



Select the composite SEGY file, then click the Process Files button.All individual SEGY files will be split from the composite SEGY file, with FFID for each file added to the file name.



MAKE COMPOSITE SEGY FROM SEVERAL SEGY FILESAccess a utility to create one SEGY data files from several individual SEGY files. Individual SEGY data files can beconcatenated to a single SEGY files as long as the number of traces and the number of samples are the same for allfiles. The general header will be the same as for the first SEGY file.

If the " Make composite SEGY from several SEGY files " button is clicked, the following window will open.

This is a stand-alone utility allowing several SEGY files to be added into a single output SEGY file.



Use the File menu item, or the left-hand icon on the toolbar, to select the Input directory where the individual SEGYfiles are located. Note, all the SEGY files in this folder will be added into the output SEGY file, so only havethose SEGY files in the input folder that are required for the final output file!

Select Output SEG-Y file to locate a folder and output file name for the composite SEGY file.

Select Bind SEG-Y files to create the composite SEGY output file.

Note that the header values will come from the first SEGY file found, in the order the files are opened. This orderdepends on your specific folder settings. The utility depends on each file having the same number of traces andsamples per trace. If not, the output file will be corrupted. The utility should ignore files that have too few traces orsamples.



INTEGER SEGY TO IEEE SEGY TRANSCRIPTIONAccess a utility to create IEEE format SEGY data files from Integer (16 and 32 bit) SEGY data files. The values in thegeneral header will remain unchanged apart from the format code.

If the " INteger SEGY to IEEE SEGY transcription " button is clicked, the following window will open.

The user must select a folder where the SEGY data files are located. Use the "Set Input Folder" button.



Select the source SEGY file with integer (16 or 32 bit) values, then click the Transcribe Integer SEGY to IEEE SEGYbutton.An output file will be created from each input file, in the output folder.



LICENSING ITA AND ITZAll the RPS software needs to be licensed before it can be run (apart from Freeware utilities). All RPS products usesspecial licensing software called Sheriff.

Most of the RPS products will prompt for licensing via the Help menu item. Alternatively, each of the RPS products hasa licensing utility associated. These can be provided by RPS by contacting [email protected] if you donot receive the utilities via the installation package.Another means to license, and maintain and monitor licensing is by using the program SLSAdim.exe, provided with thesoftware, or downloaded from the RPS web site http://www.rpsgroup.com/.

The first thing to do is install the RPS software, then organise the license. Software registration numbers can beaccessed from the software menu's or by using the SLSAdmin program found in the software installation folder.

ITA LICENSINGITA can be licensed by the general Sheriff method, using SLSAdmin.exe.However, the easiest way is to start ITA and click "License ITA" from the menu.

http://www.ecqc.com/software/ecl/




This will open the utility ITA_license.exe, with the following window.

The product ID (reference number) can be copied from the window and sent by email to RPS for licensing.Highlight the product ID number and paste this into an email to [email protected] asking for a license.Alternatively telephone RPS in the UK on +44 1491 415 400, or RPS Australia .on +61 8 9322 4333 and requestsoftware licensing, then pass the product ID verbally.

When you receive the license key, paste or enter this into the Set License Key window, and click the Set Licensebutton.




USING SLSADMIN.EXEThe program SLSAdmin.exe is the (general use) Sheriff licensing administration utility. This can be used to monitorand control all Sheriff licensed programs on the computer.Starting SLSAdmin opens the following window.

To license software, click the menu item License, Registry



A dialog window will open

Enter the name for the software you wish to license, or use the pull-down menu for Product Name and select thesoftware name (the product must be installed for this to find software names).

Once the software has been selected, the Product ID number will be shown in the Product ID window. This will be thefolder name for the Sheriff licence data found on your hard drive.



Click on License. A window will open as below:

Highlight the Reference Code and copy then paste this into an email to [email protected] asking for alicense. Alternatively telephone RPS in the UK on +44 1491 415 400, or RPS Australia .on +61 8 9322 4333 andrequest software licensing, then pass the product ID verbally.

Licensing is accomplished by clicking the License button. Paste or enter the license number given to you into thelicense key box.

Click save.




CHECKING EXISTING LICENSINGSLSAdmin can be used to view all existing license details for the products.Click the menu item License, then Monitor. A window will open showing all products installed and/or licensed.

Click Monitor to see the existing license details, as below:



LICENSING PROBLEMSRPS use Sheriff licensing software to protect programs.Certain legitimate activities can invalidate a Sheriff-based license.

The following can invalidate the license for RPS software including ITA utilities:- Changing the system clock backwards between successive calls to Sheriff.- Using partitioning software such as Symantec's Partition Magic (presumable Partition Magic modifies the unique

partition ID when it resizes partitions).- Certain Windows Updates can cause a Sheriff license to become invalid. Major updates can seem like a system

reinstall, not just updated.

In the case of licensing problems, make sure that the existing folder for the licensing data is removed from the harddrive. Using SlsAdmin.exe, as described before, get the Product ID for that software (take care it is the Product ID forthe correct software!) This Product ID is used to create a folder where the licensing data is kept on the hard drive. Formost programs this will be under C:\Program Files\Exploration Consultants. For some installations, this will be underthe install folder for that software.Delete the folder with the Product ID as name.Resume the normal licensing sequence and send the Reference Number to [email protected] asdescribed before.

"INVALID MACHINE CODE"When you get messages like "Register error", "Invalid Machine Code" and "Reference Number Error", the only way outis to delete the corresponding license folder (so that you can get a new Reference Number) and get a new license keyand start again.Here for handy reference are the Sheriff license folders:

• Neptune license folder = C:\Program Files\Exploration Consultants\5355-8651-2729-7641-5708• Sirius license folder = C:\Program Files\Exploration Consultants\5357-8671-2329-7641-5706• Regulus license folder = C:\Program Files\Exploration Consultants\5357-8651-2329-7641-5704• Mira license folder = C:\Windows\Sheriff\5356-8671-2429-7641-5704

or, depending on how you initially generated the Reference Code, it may be found atC:\Program Files\Exploration Consultants\MIRA\v3.5\5356-8671-2429-7641-5704

• Vega license folder = \5356-8621-2429-7641-5709• ITA license folder = C:\Program Files\Exploration Consultants\5365-8751-2229-7642-5713

Delete the folder for the software you are having problems with, and then the Sheriff licensing software no longerknows about the existence of these programs and so will allow the individual programs to create new ReferenceCodes for you to send to Software Support ([email protected])

If further licensing problems occur, please contact RPS for help.





TROUBLESHOOTING SCSI READ PROBLEMS

RPS ITA SCSI TAPE READERThe SCSI tape drive must be accessible to the RPS software.Note that some USB SCSI interfaces (Adaptec USB2Xchange) have a hard-wired maximum read capability of 64000bytes. File with block sizes in excess of this cannot be reliably read. For this reason the PCMCIA SCSI cards arerecommended. The Adaptec 1460 and 1480 SlimSCSI PC cards work well with ITA.

PCMCIA (PC) CARD INSTALLATION TIPS FOR SCSI TAPE DRIVESIf the user has a PCMCIA (PC card) SCSI interface device, such as the Adaptec 1460 or 1480 PC card, or the Ratoc32 card, then ASPI device interface software may need to be loaded first. For Windows XP, no ASPI driver should beneeded as XP has the ASPI commands built-in. It will not hurt to load ASPI device interface software on XP or latermachines if you cannot see the SCSI interface, and this may help fix problems. In the Extras.zip file provided with ITAare current ASPI layers and a small file to check if the ASPI layer is up to date (aspichk.exe).*Note the Adaptec PCMCIA 1480 SCSI interface card is not recommended for use with older PC's or Windows 9x orME versions, as this has been known to cause problems with the PC bus.- Switch on the tape drive.- Connect the PC SCSI card and the tape drive, and plug the PC card into the PC.- A "Found New Hardware" message will be displayed- The "New Hardware" installation wizard will run.- Load the driver for the SCSI interface.- Press "Finish" to complete the installation- You can now access the SCSI device. To check, use the Windows Control Panel, System, Device Manager to see

if Windows correctly identifies the device. If not, try rebooting, or use the Windows trouble-shooter.The RPS software ITZTape is designed for use with PCMCIA to SCSI interface devices. ITA will use WinTape for USBSCSI interface devices.

USB MASS STORAGE DRIVER INSTALLATION TIPS FOR THE USB TO SCSI PRODUCTIf using a USB to SCSI interface device such as the Adaptec USB2XChange, the following is the way to set up thetape drives to function correctly:For Windows 2000 and Windows XP, Installation:-- Change the SCSI ID of the connected SCSI Device to ('0') ZERO.- Usually the SCSI ID switch of the SCSI device will be as a rotary, sliding or a similar movable switch.- Do NOT Daisy chain any other SCSI device. Use only one device.- Plug-in the USB Cable to any available USB port- A "Found New Hardware" message will be displayed- The "New Hardware" installation wizard will run. Load the drivers for the tape unit, normally "4mm DAT" tape

drivers work well.- Press "Finish" to complete the installation- You can now access the USB device. To check, use the Windows Control Panel, System, Device Manager to see

if Windows correctly identifies the device. . If not, try rebooting, or use the Windows trouble shooter.The USB SCSI interface cards have smaller memory capability than the PCMCIA cards so can fail for large files. Forthis reason the PCMCIA cards are preferred, and the Adaptec 1480 then the 1460 cards are the most reliable.



SCSI TAPE DRIVES

DATA ACCESSThe common tape drives that the user will encounter in the field ate 3480, 3490, 3590 and Exabyte tape drives.

The 3590/3592 and newer drives by IBM (Magstar) use high voltage differential SCSI. These drives cannot beaccessed by any PC card or USB SCSI card. Any data to be read from the 3590 IBM drives must be read by theContractor, and the data passed on CD or by network. Other 3590 by Fujitsu have not yet been tested, but are likely tobe high voltage differential SCSI to comply with the Magstar drives.Do NOT try to access the drives using any older style of SCSI interface in case of damage.

Exabyte drives are standard drives and the relevant drivers can normally be found by the operating system, ordownloaded from the web.

Fujitsu M2488 3480/3490 drives do not have drivers for MS Windows. These may or may not be recognised. Onesuitable driver common to Windows is the 4mmDAT tape driver (standard drivers), and this has been found to workwith the M2488 tape drive.

PROCEDURES TO ACCESS TAPE DRIVES1. Ensure the latest ASPI drivers are loaded. These will be provided on CD, or can be accessed from the web by

searching for Adaptec ASPI drivers for your operating system.2. Connect the SCSI interface device (Adaptec PCMCIA cards are preferred). Use a passive SCSI terminator for

SCSI-1 type devices, an active SCSI terminator for SCSI-2 type devices, and a differential SCSI terminator forSCSI-3 type devices.

3. Set the SCSI ID number (on a selector on or in the tape drive) to 0 (zero).4. Only have the required SCSI device connected. Disconnect all other daisy-chained SCSI devices.5. Reboot the computer with the tape drive connected and powered up.6. On rebooting, the system should report the new tape drives found. If the driver for the tape drive is not found, allow

the system to work through the driver search procedure, and close without loading a driver.7. Start the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard.



8. Use the Add/Troubleshoot a device. The system should find the problem tape drive and start the Found NewHardware Wizard.

9. Click Next, then select the problem tape drive from the list if this is shown. The following window will open (ignorethe device name). Click the Display a list of known drivers for this device…



10. If the tape drive does not have a special driver (most Exabyte drives have drivers), it is suggested to use thestandard 4 millimetre DAT drive as the type. This has been proven to work with Fujitsu M2488 tape drives.

For the USB2Xchange USB adapter, if this method still fails to show the tape drive correctly, or only partial success isachieved reading data from the tape drive, then:• Shut down the computer.• Unplug the USB adapter.• Set the SCSI ID number in the drive to 0 (zero)• Unplug any daisy-chained SCSI drives. Only have the SCSI drive connected that is needed to access the data

tape.• Power the USB2Xchange USB adapter with a separate 5 volt power supply (DC, positive centre).• Power up the computer without the USB2Xchange USB adapter plugged in.• Power up the tape drive.• Once the computer and tape drive are ready, plug the USB adapter back into the USB socket. This should make

the computer see the drive.• Load a suitable driver for the tape drive.



DATA FORMATIdeally, all data should be accessed in the original data format, without any third party alteration of format or datasampling. This is (obviously) so that corruption or alteration of the data samples does not take place.

This is especially true for instrument test data in SEGD format.There are often problems associated with accessing SEGD data files, and keeping the data unchanged, if theContractor has to provide the data for analysis.Most access will be through the Seismic Processors. They may provide resampled or reformatted data at first,depending on the requirements for normal processing flows. All data should be a bit to bit transcription without anyresampling or filtering, else the analysis results will not be valid.So the first hurdle is to ensure the contractor understands that the need for raw data is the primary requirement. RawSEGD, read bit to bit from the data tapes and transferred to the medium where it can be passed on for analysis(network, CD or Exabyte). This can be extraordinarily difficult to achieve. A method to read data bit by bit from onemedium to another is not the way the systems are set up.The UNIX command DD can be used, but as each version of UNIX is different, the processors will need to read themanuals, and likely a little trial and error will be needed. The data may be provided as multiple files or in one "lump"with all the SEGD data concatenated. Neither is a problem as long as all the data has been provided.

If all else fails, SEGY transcription by third party software, without any filtering or reformatting, may be the only way toaccess the data. ITA/ITZ can read standard SEGY data in IBM or IEEE format, little-endian or big-endian.Make sure the data is not in any non-standard or processing system internal format (such as ProMax format).

Take note, the SEG standard for SEGY is samples as volts. For SEGD it is samples as millivolts. The SEGY outputfrom the original SEGD data files may or may not be in volts, depending how the reformatting process was set up! Thisis why RPS SEGY data files are millivolts, to preserve the original definition from the SEGD files. You may need toapply a descale multiplier to the sample values!

RPS SOFTWARE AND SEGY FILE FORMATSRPS ITA and ITZ utilities expect a specific format for the SEGY files. This is big-endian IEEE 32 bit format.What does this mean?

BYTE SWAP AND BYTE ORDERThe order that the bytes of data are written to a SEGY file can be:Motorola byte order (big-endian)Intel byte order (little-endian)

Remember Gulliver and Lilliput where two countries were at war because of arguments about which end of an egg tocrack first, the big end or the little end? This is very similar.

Different machine architectures store data using different byte orders. For example, Intel-based machines store data inthe reverse order of Macintosh (Motorola) machines. Intel’s byte order, called “little-Endian,” is also the reverse of thenetwork standard “big-Endian” order. The following table explains these terms.Big- and Little-Endian Byte OrderingByte ordering MeaningBig-Endian The most significant byte is on the left end of a word.Little-Endian The most significant byte is on the right end of a word.



IEEE OR IBM FORMAT SEGYThe original definition for SEGY specified data as belonging to the following formats, written to the reel identificationheader (binary coded) as bytes 3225 to 3226m of the header:1 32 bit floating point demultiplexed. 1 sign, 7 exponent, 24 fraction (IBM).2 32 bit fixed point demultiplexed. 1 sign, 31 units.3 16 bit fixed point demultiplexed. 1 sign, 15 units.4 32 bit fixed point with gain, demultiplexed. 8 zeros (not used), 8 gain, 16

units.Note that SEG-Y is DEMULTIPLEXED ONLY.Format 4 was never (to my knowledge) used.

Users added non-standard SEGY format codes in use. These are the following to general use, though not supportedby the SEG standard:5 32 bit floating point demultiplexed. 1 sign, 8 exponent, 23 fraction (IEEE).6 SUN IEEE 32-bit floating point11 PC or DEC IEEE 32-bit floating point16 64 bit floating point demultiplexed. 1 sign, 11 exponent, 52 fraction (IEEE).

RPS ITA/ITZ UTILITIESTestView and the RPS utilities expect big-endian IEEE 32 bit format SEGY data as standard, and all utilities that writenew SEGY files do so in this format.

ITA/ITZITZ has been designed to expect IEEE format files. It will test for byteswapping and self-set (normally correct). Theuser can always override these with manual switches.

TESTVIEWTestView is specifically designed NOT to self-set automatically. It is test software so will simply report what is sees, inthe way it has been set up. This is important and will not change.What this does mean is that the user must look at the data and make a decision whether to change the basic settingsfor byte swapping and the format type.Default settings are for RPS type SEGY, big-endian and format 5 (IEEE 32 bit) data.

Changing the settings.Byte swap.This is very easy to check. The user will know more or less what the sample interval and number of traces in the fileshould be. If the byte order is set incorrectly, then the header will show wild numbers.Example incorrect byte order set.



The reel sample interval reads at 53255 (53.255 milliseconds).



Using the menu itemsFile, Byte swap ITZ data

Open the Byte-swapping settings and click in the window to turn off byte swapping. The check-box should be empty(un-checked).



The file header will now read correctly.

*Do not use the byte swap samples option. This is for specialist use.



Format TypeChecking if you have the correct file format is not so easy.Third party SEGY files may say they are format 1 (IBM) while they are actually format 5 (IEEE)The easiest way to check is to open a file which should show sine wave data. If the sine wave is distorted or shows"shoulders" at the crossover points round zero volts, then the format is probably set incorrectly.

This is part of the data from a file where there should be sine wave (simple oscillating) signals recorded. The SEGY fileheader showed format 1 (IBM) while it was actually IEEE data and should have been written as format 5.



In TestView, use the menu item File, Format override

Check the box to set TestView to expect IEEE data where the header states format 1. There should be a tick in thecheck box.



Open the SEGY file again and the data should now read correctly.

Data now correctly read with a true sine wave signal shown.



Another example of less obvious problems.The data in this file looks believable.

However, look at the points the waveforms cross through zero. If you look carefully, you will see "shoulders" at thecross-over points.

The same data from the file with the correct format setting in Testview (Format Override check-box checked so format1 is read as IEEE)



ITAITA calls ITZ for instrument test analysis.ITZ should be clever enough to detect the correct byte order setting, but can be manually fixed to override theautomatic detection.ITZ is NOT clever enough to detect incorrect data format settings in the header, and if the header states the data isformat 1 then ITZ expects IBM format data samples.So ITA must be forced to set the correct format for ITZ (or the user must adjust the script file for ITZ if ITZ is run fromthe command line).

In the RPS ITA script file processing for ITZ, once a SEGY file has been selected, and the format is known to beincorrect (use TestView to check), then the user should click on File Settings to read the header values from the file.

In this case the data format is reported as IBM.To change the format, the user must enter IEEE.ITA will then include the correct scripting to force the data format for ITZ analysis.Note that correct entries for the format are IEEE, IBM, INT32, or INT16.

This same entry window is used to force the byte order to little-endian if the Byteswap checkbox is checked.



ITA Instrument Test Methods

DATA FILESInstrument test data is normally recorded in a specific format that allows for analysis by the recording system itself(self-analysis).

Normally, analysis techniques by independent software should follow the same techniques applied to the data by therecording system. This is because the data will be optimised to show one particular aspect of system performance,and the data may not be suitable for other analysis methods.Always use great care interpreting test results, where different aspects of the system performance are beingchecked than were checked by the original system self-analyses.For example, checking a file for harmonic distortion, where the data was recorded for gain similarity. The manufacturermay have set up the system test oscillators for accuracy of level, rather than signal purity.Nevertheless, it may be useful to use other analysis methods to investigate the system performance, as long as it isunderstood that the results may show variation or failures that relate to the data rather than the actual systemperformance.

If no Observer Logs or system details are available to assist with selecting the analysis method, the followingguidelines may help. Use the utility TestView to view the trace values from at least three traces. Determine what typeof data was recorded, and the signal levels.

SIGNAL TYPESuitable analysis routines are shown, with the likeliest first.

SINE WAVE DATA (SINUSOIDAL ALTERNATING CURRENT)Suitable analysis routines:SIMILA Gain SimilarityDISTOR DistortionDISTOH Distortion with Hanning windowingANALOG Analogue waveform amplitude and phaseRMSLEV RMS signal levels

SQUARE WAVE DATA (STEP ALTERNATING CURRENT)Suitable analysis routines:SIMILA Gain Similarity (channel to channel)GAINPH Gain and Phase

SHORT PERIOD PULSE DATA (SINGLE OR LONG-PERIOD SPIKE-TYPE PULSES)Suitable analysis routines:IMPULS Impulse responseGAINPH Gain and PhaseGEOPHO Geophone Pulse, if receivers or cables were connectedHYDROP Hydrophone Pulse, if receivers or cables were connectedVLEVEL Voltage Level at Specified Time, if receivers or cables were connected

LONG PERIOD PULSE DATA (SINGLE-CYCLE SQUARE WAVE)Suitable analysis routines:GAINPH Gain and PhaseGEOPHO Geophone Pulse, if receivers or cables were connectedHYDROP Hydrophone Pulse, if receivers or cables were connectedVLEVEL Voltage Level at Specified Time, if receivers or cables were connected



COMPLEX WAVE DATA (COMPLEX SINUSOIDAL, SQUARE WAVE OR PULSED ALTERNATINGCURRENT)Suitable analysis routines:GAINPH Gain and PhaseGEOPHO Geophone Pulse, if receivers or cables were connectedHYDROP Hydrophone Pulse, if receivers or cables were connectedVLEVEL Voltage Level at Specified Time, if receivers or cables were connected

VERY LOW LEVEL NOISESuitable analysis routines:NOISES NoiseNOISEB Frequency Limited Noise

LOW LEVEL NOISESuitable analysis routines:COMREJ Common Mode RejectionRECEIV Receiver NoiseSTREAM Streamer Noise

MIXED TRACES WITH SINE WAVE AND LOW LEVEL NOISESuitable analysis routines:CROSSF Crossfeed

TRIANGULAR WAVE DATA (SAW-TOOTH ALTERNATING CURRENT)Suitable analysis routines:GAINPH Gain and PhaseSIMILA Gain Similarity (channel to channel)

DECAYING SINE WAVE DATA (SINUSOIDAL ALTERNATING CURRENT DECAYING TO LOW LEVEL)Suitable analysis routines:GAINPH Gain and PhaseVLEVEL Voltage Level at Specified Time

DC (DIRECT CURRENT) LEVEL OR SIMILAR OFFSETSSuitable analysis routines:DCLEVE DC level analysisDCOFFS DC offset analysis

TYPICAL TEST DATA FILESThe following are the typical names for the test data types, and the ITZ/ITA analyses to apply to the data. Only thecommon analyses are suggested.

COMMON MODE REJECTIONTypically used to check for leakage and cross-connection problems.Use Common Mode Rejection analysis COMREJ



CROSSFEED OR CROSSTALKTypically used to check for cross-connection problems.Certain channels are driven, and any pick-up on the non-driven channels indicates a problem.Use Crossfeed analysis CROSSFFor Sercel recording systems, use SCROSS

DC OFFSETUsed to detect the residual DC offset (bias) in the input circuits.Use DC Offset analysis DCOFFS

DISTORTION / HARMONIC DISTORTIONUsed to assess the harmonic distortion introduced into the signal by the preamplifier and the filter circuits. Measuringdistortion requires the injected signal to be ultra-low distortion.Use Distortion analysis DISTOR.In the case of small sample data, or data with a significant noise level, try using the Distortion analysis with Hanningdata windowing, DISTOH

GAIN SIMILARITY / GAIN ACCURACYUsed to check for recorded signal levels on all channels. It is expected that exactly the same signal level is injectedinto each channel input.Use the Gain Similarity analysis, SIMILA

GAIN AND PHASEUsed to provide an analysis of complex test signals, applied to system inputs and/or external receivers and cables plusthe system inputs. Test analysis will give comparison of amplitude and phase.Use Gain and Phase analysis, GAINPH

IMPULSE / PULSEUsed to provide a check of the filter performance and system effective bandwidth. Test analysis will give comparisonof channel amplitude, phase, and filter settings.Use Impulse analysis, IMPULS

NOISE / INSTRUMENT NOISE / EQUIVALENT INPUT NOISEUsed to provide a check of the recording system noise, and dynamic range.Use Noise analysis, NOISES

PATTERNUsed to check data flow through the recording system. A known pattern is written to tape, then read back andcompared. Test analysis will expect each channel to have exactly the same sample values.Use Pattern analysis, PATTER



Data Analysis Troubleshooting

BackgroundThe RPS Energy test data analysis program ITZ has been in use since 1982. From that time till the present, ITZ hasbeen updated, adjusted, and made as foolproof as is possible. Over the years, problem data sets, and minordifficulties have been overcome by intelligent programming in the ITZ program, so that, for most cases, analysis is asimple matter of "point and shoot" at the data file. The analysis algorithms used by ITZ are all based on simple steps,where the trace data is averaged for DC offset, an RMS is calculated, and/or a Fast Fourier Transform is applied toallow spectral amplitudes and phase to be calculated. The algorithms all apply the SEG standard methodsrecommended for test data analysis.In addition data can be windowed, a multiplier may or may not be applied, and the user can override the headersettings for data format, sample interval and traces to process.

ITZ is designed to need as little user intervention as possible. This is to allow rapid analysis of multiple files.This design does mean that ITZ appears as a "black box" to new users, which can reduce trust in the analysis results.This is a natural human response to the "point and shoot" design for ITZ.The way to overcome this feeling, of loss of control, and understanding, is to use the associated utility TestView toview the file and trace data itself.

TestView allows the user to view one or all FFID's within any SEGY file, view individual trace data as a time-serieswiggle trace, FFT amplitude or FFT phase plot. The samples can be windowed, and the FFT plots will show theamplitude and/or phase for the windowed data.TestView will allow the sample values from any trace to be exported in CSV format for separate analysis using aspreadsheet.This method to view and plot and independently analyse the data from any file, and check the results from the ITZanalysis. It will show any problems in the actual data itself, whether there is a real problem with the recorded data(recording system problems) or a problem with the format.

PROBLEM DATA FILESIn case of severe problems with ITZ analysis results, results that need changes to the control file, or are simply notunderstood, users should check the test data as follows:• Check the original SEGY file using TestView. Problems are normally due to incorrect analysis selected for the

data, such as harmonic distortion of impulse data.• If there are multiple FFID files within the SEGY data file, select only the FFID which is giving problems.• View at least three traces from the FFID, to ensure the same data is recorded to each trace.• Is a sine wave form, showing any apparent distortion?• Are the sample values correct?• Does the FFT plot (scroll down in the trace view window) show a reasonable spectrum?

TYPICAL PROBLEMS:Good results will rely on the correct data for the analysis process being passed to ITZ.

One primary source for problems is the SEGY data file itself. How was it prepared?ITZ is provided with utilities to allow the user to read original files from tape and convert to IEEE format SEGY files ondisk. This is the best and RECOMMENDED WAY to obtain the SEGY files, as the process will not reformat orresample, or adjust the sample values in any way. It is a simple bit-to-bit process maintaining the original data integrity,on a single file by single file basis.If this is not an option, then the user may have to rely on third party software to read the test data and convert to SEGYdata files. There are inherent possibilities for errors in this process.Third-Party SEGY data filesWhen the user receives SEGY data files made from test data, the individual files must be checked for validity.• Check the format for the SEGY data is correct, i.e. if it is reported as IBM format, ensure it is not really IEEE

format, and vice-versa. The header will report a format number, 1 should be IBM, 5 should be IEEE.



• Ensure there has been no reformatting or resampling of the data. The data should not be filtered, and must be asthe original sample interval, i.e. 2 millisecond data MUST NOT be resampled to 4 millisecond data. Anyresampling or filtering will INVALIDATE all analysis results.

• The SEGY file may or may not include auxiliary traces. It is recommended that auxiliary traces be included, astests should encompass auxiliary channels to prove these are functional.

• If multiple data files are added into one SEGY output file, this may be a cause for problems. Test data files may beof varied length. Creating a SEGY file which contains all FFID's of varied length will mean some of the files may betruncated, or may have extra samples added.

• Any extra samples added into a SEGY file by the transcription process will have to be REMOVED from analysesor results will be invalid.

NOTE: The user can use TestView to output an individual file, extracted from multiple SEGY data file, in IEEE orinteger SEGY format. This may be of use in analysis of problem data.

Examples of wrong format codeSEGY file provided by third Party software, header format indicated the file was written as IBM format (data should bethe start taper from a vibrator sweep).

The plot is from RPS TestView of one trace from a vibrator test file. Note the distortion in the sine wave data indicatinga problem with the values (seen as "shoulders"in the waveforms).

The same file opened in TestView with Format override flag on, so forcing IEEE data samples.



Similarly. the correct settings for Byteswap and Format override MUST be set correctly if you want to use TestView tooutput any other form of the data file.

PROBLEMS WITH HARMONIC DISTORTION ANALYSISHarmonic distortion analysis uses Fourier transforms in order to define the fundamental frequency and thecorresponding harmonics within the frequency spectrum. This by itself can cause problems.The FFT or Fast Fourier Transform needs a specific number of samples which must be of the order of 2^n where n isan integer number. So it needs 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, etc samples to be able to function. If the signalin the data file is not a whole number of cycles to fit into this window, then there will be artefacts in the frequencyresponse.The DFT or Discrete Fourier Transform does not needs a specific number of samples and is more accurate. It is veryslow because it is a iterative analysis method. This is why it is not the preferred analysis method for ITA/ITZ. It willprovide an accurate frequency spectrum, but cannot correct for instability in the original data.

One way out for problem files is to use the normal FFT analysis, but adjust the data before it is passed to the Fouriertransform. There are several methods, but the one preferred for ITA/ITZ is to use Hanning windowing. The datasamples are adjusted in amplitude so these start and end at zero, and ramp up to the normal amplitude away from theend samples based on a cosine law (in a similar way to vibrator sweep tapers). This avoids "end effects" where thedata samples are not a whole number of cycles. It does introduce inaccuracies in overall amplitude, and a wideningeffect of the peak and harmonics as seen in the spectrum, but is one way to derive a more accurate analysis forproblems files. Combining correct start samples to avoid instability in the original data files plus Hanning windowing willprovide the most accurate results for problem files.

Preferred Test MethodsIf the data file is "clean" and the base frequency has been set so a full number of samples fit into a standard number of2^n samples, simple FFT (or DFT) analysis is the most accurate. If the data shows initial instability, spiking, or zerovalues, then adjust the samples to analyse to avoid the instability portion of the data, and, if necessary, use Hanningwindowing.



An example of a data file with problems. The start is not clean, with initial zero values then a period of instability beforethe signal stabilises.

The simple FFT of the same problem data file, all samples, showing "ringing" effects due to the instability at the start ofthe file.



The same data with the start sample set to 256, so avoiding the initial instability. Still problems apparent with "phasenoise" shown by the rise in amplitudes towards the lower end of the spectrum.

The same data with the start sample set to 1, including the initial instability, but using Blackman windowing. Blackmanwindowing is similar to Hanning windowing, but with amplitude correction.



A final analysis using Blackman windowing and a start sample set to 256, so avoiding the initial instability.

OTHER PROBLEMSWrong type of analysis has been selected:Use TestView to check the data. Check more than one trace, as files such as crossfeed may show the first trace as alarge scale sine wave while the second looks like noise, or vice versa. The Observers Log, if available and detailed,may help.

Bad Information:The Observers Log may be wrong, with different test data recorded to files than is reported by the Observers Log.

Data Format:The recording system may record values in a strange way, such as reporting the file as IEEE format 5 while it isactually IBM format 1. Use TestView to view data from a file with sine wave data. If the sine wave data is distorted, itcould be that the file format is wrongly reported in the header. Manually adjust the data format to suit.

Similarly, Byteswapping (big or little-endian data) may need setting in ITZ if it is incorrectly assessed. Byteswapping isautomatically assessed by ITZ based on the values read. If the values are very large or very small, the automaticselection of Byteswapping may not work correctly. The user can override this in the control file using the BYTESWAPcommand, or in ITA by the Byteswap checkbox.

See the next section on known system problems. Note: there are particular aspects to the way data is recorded bydifferent recording systems that can affect analyses.



SEGY DATA FORMATIdeally, all data should have been transcribed from the original SEGD data format by RPS software, without any thirdparty alteration of format or data sampling. This is (obviously) so that corruption or alteration of the data samples doesnot take place.

There are always problems associated with accessing SEGD data files, and keeping the data unchanged, if theContractor has to provide the data for analysis. Most access will be through the Seismic Processors. They willprobably try to provide resampled reformatted data at first. This is because that is what they are used to.

If the user gets SEGY data files transcribed by third party software, ensure that it is without any filtering or reformattingthat will alter the data. ITA/ITZ can read standard SEGY data in IBM or IEEE format, little-endian or big-endian.

Take note, the SEG standard for SEGY is samples as volts. For SEGD it is samples as millivolts. The SEGY outputfrom the original SEGD data files may or may not be in volts, depending how the reformatting process was set up! Thisis why RPS SEGY data files are millivolts, to preserve the original definition from the SEGD files. You may need toapply a descale multiplier to the sample values!

NOTES AND KNOWN SYSTEM PROBLEMS

MULTIPLEXER SKEWEarly systems used single A to D converters so showed skew between channels. Example Sercel 348, 358, DFS 3, 4.

SERCEL SYSTEMS CROSSFEEDSercel systems record crossfeed in one long file, where either odd or even channels are driven for the first two to fourseconds of the record, then the alternate channels are driven for the remainder of the record.

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