How to use the MP-Web Translation Grids
Introduction
Translation Grids can be accessed from Control Panel\Calculations\Translation Grids.
Translation Grids allow users to convert data from one format to another. This might be in the form of translating a number to text (or text to a number), such as Compass Points to Decimal Degrees, or converting data based on more complex logic such as a calculation.
If you open an existing Translation Grid, users can see the basic concepts where there will be an applicable location, and then an input and output value.
Setup
Clicking on the Add New Translation Grid will open up a dialog to be completed.
Name - Provide a suitable name
Source Variable - This is the Variable where the data is coming from
Destination Variable - This is the Variable where the data will go
Result Data Source - Users can set the Data Source of the outgoing data, either to a specific Data Source or leave the data to the Source of the incoming data.
Sample Type Filter - Users can set the Sample Type of the outgoing data, either to a specific Sample Type or leave the data to the Sample Type of the incoming data.
Modes
4 modes can be applied to the Translation Grids
Exact text matches - Here inbound data will be converted to the set translation, where that data's text exactly matches the inbound requirements. The use case for this for example would be converting Compass Points to Decimal Degrees, 'S' = 180 degrees.
Linear Interpolation - With this mode, numeric input values are matched to the output values using linear interpolation. An example of this would be for calculating Stream Gauge flows using suitable rating curve data, input into the Translation Grid. Other use cases would be pond volumes derived from staff gauge readings.
Range Matching - In this mode, a numeric input value will produce either a numeric or text value where the value is equal to or less than the matching output. An example of this would be a Water Quality Index or any translation where you needed to create some text output from a value. An example would be a value of 3 - 3.9 producing an output of 'Average'. You can equally use a numeric output for example converting a range of values to a differing scale of values. 0-10 = 1, 10-20 = 2 etc.
Cubic Spline Interpolation - This mode is very similar to the linear interpolation method but uses spline or cubic interpolation to match input to the output values. This is typical for ponds or water bodies with curved sides where interpolation between two references cannot simply be linear.
Location/Data Type
The user has options as to how to apply the logic described above.
All Locations - This option will apply the Translation Grid to any location in MonitorPro where data for the chosen input Variable is located. This can be useful for generic translations applicable to several locations.
Per Location/Site/Data Type - This option will apply the Translation Grid to a specific location in MonitorPro where data for the chosen input Variable is located. This can be useful for generic translations applicable to several Sample Points.
Per Sample Point Group - This option will apply the Translation Grid to a specific set of Sample Points located in a Sample Point Group, where data for the chosen input Variable is located. This can be useful for generic translations applicable to several Sample Points.
Individual Sample Points - This option will require a Translation Grid to be created for each Sample Point. This is the most common option when using Spline or Linear interpolation as each Sample Point will likely have a unique profile and rating curve.
Based on the option chosen the prompt will update providing either Locations, Sample Point Groups, or Sample Points as applicable. Choose the relevant objects by moving them from the left (unselected) to the right (selected).
Data Sources
Users can set the Data Sources applicable from where the data will be drawn. This enables the filtering of specific data streams where required.
Sample Types
Users can set the Sample Types applicable from where the data will be drawn. This enables the filtering of specific data streams where required and exclude QA/QC data for example.
Meta Data
Users have the option of what Metadata they want to copy with the converted data. Choose the options of what Metadata from the incoming data you'd like to be copied to the output data.
Grid
Once saved the Grid can be populated as required. MonitorPro cannot create a rating curve for you, and this needs to be known to the user first. The more detailed the Grid the more accurate the results will be. For the two interpolation modes, MonitorPro will interpolate between the values based on one of the two methods selected. For the text matching the input data has to match exactly the text provided in the Grid for the translation to work.