]> git.mxchange.org Git - flightgear.git/blobdiff - src/Environment/environment_ctrl.cxx
Merge branch 'next' of gitorious.org:fg/flightgear into next
[flightgear.git] / src / Environment / environment_ctrl.cxx
index 0d57267f6afa6046489c69dfc1477e2ff7ad3cca..6efcbde3ee747f3eb69bc90e32afcbfb4339fa56 100644 (file)
 //
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
-// Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
+// Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, USA.
 //
 // $Id$
 
+#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
+#  include "config.h"
+#endif
+
+#include <algorithm>
+
 #include <simgear/debug/logstream.hxx>
+#include <simgear/structure/commands.hxx>
+#include <simgear/structure/exception.hxx>
 
-#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <Airports/simple.hxx>
 #include <Main/fg_props.hxx>
+#include <Main/util.hxx>
 
+#include "atmosphere.hxx"
+#include "fgmetar.hxx"
 #include "environment_ctrl.hxx"
 
+using std::sort;
+
+class AirportWithMetar : public FGAirport::AirportFilter {
+public:
+       virtual bool passAirport(FGAirport* aApt) const {
+               return aApt->getMetar();
+       }
+  
+  // permit heliports and seaports too
+  virtual FGPositioned::Type maxType() const
+  { return FGPositioned::SEAPORT; }
+};
 
+static AirportWithMetar airportWithMetarFilter;
 \f
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 // Implementation of FGEnvironmentCtrl abstract base class.
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 FGEnvironmentCtrl::FGEnvironmentCtrl ()
-  : _environment(0),
-    _lon_deg(0),
-    _lat_deg(0),
-    _elev_ft(0)
+       : _environment(0),
+       _lon_deg(0),
+       _lat_deg(0),
+       _elev_ft(0)
 {
 }
 
@@ -48,107 +72,993 @@ FGEnvironmentCtrl::~FGEnvironmentCtrl ()
 void
 FGEnvironmentCtrl::setEnvironment (FGEnvironment * environment)
 {
-  _environment = environment;
+       _environment = environment;
 }
 
 void
 FGEnvironmentCtrl::setLongitudeDeg (double lon_deg)
 {
-  _lon_deg = lon_deg;
+       _lon_deg = lon_deg;
 }
 
 void
 FGEnvironmentCtrl::setLatitudeDeg (double lat_deg)
 {
-  _lat_deg = lat_deg;
+       _lat_deg = lat_deg;
 }
 
 void
 FGEnvironmentCtrl::setElevationFt (double elev_ft)
 {
-  _elev_ft = elev_ft;
+       _elev_ft = elev_ft;
 }
 
 void
 FGEnvironmentCtrl::setPosition (double lon_deg, double lat_deg, double elev_ft)
 {
-  _lon_deg = lon_deg;
-  _lat_deg = lat_deg;
-  _elev_ft = elev_ft;
+       _lon_deg = lon_deg;
+       _lat_deg = lat_deg;
+       _elev_ft = elev_ft;
 }
 
 
 \f
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-// Implementation of FGUserDefEnvironmentCtrl.
+// Implementation of FGInterpolateEnvironmentCtrl.
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-FGUserDefEnvironmentCtrl::FGUserDefEnvironmentCtrl ()
-  : _base_wind_speed_node(0),
-    _gust_wind_speed_node(0),
-    _current_wind_speed_kt(0),
-    _delta_wind_speed_kt(0)
+
+FGInterpolateEnvironmentCtrl::FGInterpolateEnvironmentCtrl ()
+{
+       altitude_n = fgGetNode("/position/altitude-ft", true);
+       altitude_agl_n = fgGetNode("/position/altitude-agl-ft", true);
+       boundary_transition_n = fgGetNode("/environment/config/boundary-transition-ft", false );
+       boundary_n = fgGetNode("/environment/config/boundary", true );
+       aloft_n = fgGetNode("/environment/config/aloft", true );
+}
+
+FGInterpolateEnvironmentCtrl::~FGInterpolateEnvironmentCtrl ()
 {
+       unsigned int i;
+       for (i = 0; i < _boundary_table.size(); i++)
+               delete _boundary_table[i];
+       for (i = 0; i < _aloft_table.size(); i++)
+               delete _aloft_table[i];
 }
 
-FGUserDefEnvironmentCtrl::~FGUserDefEnvironmentCtrl ()
+
+
+void
+FGInterpolateEnvironmentCtrl::init ()
 {
+       read_table( boundary_n, _boundary_table);
+       read_table( aloft_n, _aloft_table);
 }
 
 void
-FGUserDefEnvironmentCtrl::init ()
+FGInterpolateEnvironmentCtrl::reinit ()
 {
-                               // Fill in some defaults.
-  if (!fgHasNode("/environment/params/base-wind-speed-kt"))
-    fgSetDouble("/environment/params/base-wind-speed-kt",
-               fgGetDouble("/environment/wind-speed-kt"));
-  if (!fgHasNode("/environment/params/gust-wind-speed-kt"))
-    fgSetDouble("/environment/params/gust-wind-speed-kt",
-               fgGetDouble("/environment/params/base-wind-speed-kt"));
+       init();
+}
 
-  _base_wind_speed_node =
-    fgGetNode("/environment/params/base-wind-speed-kt", true);
-  _gust_wind_speed_node =
-    fgGetNode("/environment/params/gust-wind-speed-kt", true);
+void
+FGInterpolateEnvironmentCtrl::read_table (const SGPropertyNode * node, vector<bucket *> &table)
+{
+       double last_altitude_ft = 0.0;
+       double sort_required = false;
+       size_t i;
 
-  _current_wind_speed_kt = _base_wind_speed_node->getDoubleValue();
-  _delta_wind_speed_kt = 0.1;
+       for (i = 0; i < (size_t)node->nChildren(); i++) {
+               const SGPropertyNode * child = node->getChild(i);
+               if ( strcmp(child->getName(), "entry") == 0
+                && child->getStringValue("elevation-ft", "")[0] != '\0'
+                && ( child->getDoubleValue("elevation-ft") > 0.1 || i == 0 ) )
+       {
+                       bucket * b;
+                       if( i < table.size() ) {
+                               // recycle existing bucket
+                               b = table[i];
+                       } else {
+                               // more nodes than buckets in table, add a new one
+                               b = new bucket;
+                               table.push_back(b);
+                       }
+                       if (i > 0)
+                               b->environment.copy(table[i-1]->environment);
+                       b->environment.read(child);
+                       b->altitude_ft = b->environment.get_elevation_ft();
+
+                       // check, if altitudes are in ascending order
+                       if( b->altitude_ft < last_altitude_ft )
+                               sort_required = true;
+                       last_altitude_ft = b->altitude_ft;
+               }
+       }
+       // remove leftover buckets
+       while( table.size() > i ) {
+               bucket * b = *(table.end() - 1);
+               delete b;
+               table.pop_back();
+       }
+
+       if( sort_required )
+               sort(table.begin(), table.end(), bucket::lessThan);
 }
 
 void
-FGUserDefEnvironmentCtrl::update (int dt)
-{
-  double base_wind_speed = _base_wind_speed_node->getDoubleValue();
-  double gust_wind_speed = _gust_wind_speed_node->getDoubleValue();
-
-  if (base_wind_speed == gust_wind_speed) {
-    _current_wind_speed_kt = base_wind_speed;
-  } else {
-    int rn = rand() % 128;
-    int sign = (_delta_wind_speed_kt < 0 ? -1 : 1);
-    double gust = _current_wind_speed_kt - base_wind_speed;
-    double incr = gust / 50;
-
-    if (rn == 0)
-      _delta_wind_speed_kt = - _delta_wind_speed_kt;
-    else if (rn < 4)
-      _delta_wind_speed_kt -= incr * sign;
-    else if (rn < 16)
-      _delta_wind_speed_kt += incr * sign;
-
-    _current_wind_speed_kt += _delta_wind_speed_kt;
-
-    if (_current_wind_speed_kt < base_wind_speed) {
-      _current_wind_speed_kt = base_wind_speed;
-      _delta_wind_speed_kt = 0.01;
-    } else if (_current_wind_speed_kt > gust_wind_speed) {
-      _current_wind_speed_kt = gust_wind_speed;
-      _delta_wind_speed_kt = -0.01;
-    }
-  }
-  
-  if (_environment != 0)
-    _environment->set_wind_speed_kt(_current_wind_speed_kt);
+FGInterpolateEnvironmentCtrl::update (double delta_time_sec)
+{
+       double altitude_ft = altitude_n->getDoubleValue();
+       double altitude_agl_ft = altitude_agl_n->getDoubleValue();
+       double boundary_transition = 
+               boundary_transition_n == NULL ? 500 : boundary_transition_n->getDoubleValue();
+
+       int length = _boundary_table.size();
+
+       if (length > 0) {
+                                                               // boundary table
+               double boundary_limit = _boundary_table[length-1]->altitude_ft;
+               if (boundary_limit >= altitude_agl_ft) {
+                       do_interpolate(_boundary_table, altitude_agl_ft, _environment);
+                       return;
+               } else if ((boundary_limit + boundary_transition) >= altitude_agl_ft) {
+                       //TODO: this is 500ft above the top altitude of boundary layer
+                       //shouldn't this be +/-250 ft off of the top altitude?
+                                                               // both tables
+                       do_interpolate(_boundary_table, altitude_agl_ft, &env1);
+                       do_interpolate(_aloft_table, altitude_ft, &env2);
+                       double fraction =
+                               (altitude_agl_ft - boundary_limit) / boundary_transition;
+                       interpolate(&env1, &env2, fraction, _environment);
+                       return;
+               }
+       }
+                                                               // aloft table
+       do_interpolate(_aloft_table, altitude_ft, _environment);
+}
+
+void
+FGInterpolateEnvironmentCtrl::do_interpolate (vector<bucket *> &table, double altitude_ft, FGEnvironment * environment)
+{
+       int length = table.size();
+       if (length == 0)
+               return;
+
+                                                               // Boundary conditions
+       if ((length == 1) || (table[0]->altitude_ft >= altitude_ft)) {
+               environment->copy(table[0]->environment);
+               return;
+       } else if (table[length-1]->altitude_ft <= altitude_ft) {
+               environment->copy(table[length-1]->environment);
+               return;
+       }
+                                                               // Search the interpolation table
+       for (int i = 0; i < length - 1; i++) {
+               if ((i == length - 1) || (table[i]->altitude_ft <= altitude_ft)) {
+                               FGEnvironment * env1 = &(table[i]->environment);
+                               FGEnvironment * env2 = &(table[i+1]->environment);
+                               double fraction;
+                               if (table[i]->altitude_ft == table[i+1]->altitude_ft)
+                                       fraction = 1.0;
+                               else 
+                                       fraction =
+                                               ((altitude_ft - table[i]->altitude_ft) /
+                                                (table[i+1]->altitude_ft - table[i]->altitude_ft));
+                               interpolate(env1, env2, fraction, environment);
+
+                               return;
+               }
+       }
+}
+
+bool
+FGInterpolateEnvironmentCtrl::bucket::operator< (const bucket &b) const
+{
+       return (altitude_ft < b.altitude_ft);
+}
+
+bool
+FGInterpolateEnvironmentCtrl::bucket::lessThan(bucket *a, bucket *b)
+{
+       return (a->altitude_ft) < (b->altitude_ft);
+}
+
+\f
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+// Implementation of FGMetarCtrl.
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+FGMetarCtrl::FGMetarCtrl( SGSubsystem * environmentCtrl )
+       :
+       metar_valid(false),
+       setup_winds_aloft(true),
+       wind_interpolation_required(true),
+       metar_sealevel_temperature(15.0),
+       metar_sealevel_dewpoint(5.0),
+       // Interpolation constant definitions.
+       MaxWindChangeKtsSec( 0.2 ),
+       MaxVisChangePercentSec( 0.05 ),
+       MaxPressureChangeInHgSec( 0.0005 ), // approx 1hpa/min
+       MaxTemperatureChangeDegcSec(10.0/60.0), // approx 10degc/min
+       MaxCloudAltitudeChangeFtSec( 20.0 ),
+       MaxCloudThicknessChangeFtSec( 50.0 ),
+       MaxCloudInterpolationHeightFt( 5000.0 ),
+       MaxCloudInterpolationDeltaFt( 4000.0 ),
+       _environmentCtrl(environmentCtrl)
+{
+       windModulator = new FGBasicWindModulator();
+
+       metar_base_n = fgGetNode( "/environment/metar", true );
+       station_id_n = metar_base_n->getNode("station-id", true );
+       station_elevation_n = metar_base_n->getNode("station-elevation-ft", true );
+       min_visibility_n = metar_base_n->getNode("min-visibility-m", true );
+       max_visibility_n = metar_base_n->getNode("max-visibility-m", true );
+       base_wind_range_from_n = metar_base_n->getNode("base-wind-range-from", true );
+       base_wind_range_to_n = metar_base_n->getNode("base-wind-range-to", true );
+       base_wind_speed_n = metar_base_n->getNode("base-wind-speed-kt", true );
+       base_wind_dir_n = metar_base_n->getNode("base-wind-dir-deg", true );
+       gust_wind_speed_n = metar_base_n->getNode("gust-wind-speed-kt", true );
+       temperature_n = metar_base_n->getNode("temperature-degc", true );
+       dewpoint_n = metar_base_n->getNode("dewpoint-degc", true );
+       humidity_n = metar_base_n->getNode("rel-humidity-norm", true );
+       pressure_n = metar_base_n->getNode("pressure-inhg", true );
+       clouds_n = metar_base_n->getNode("clouds", true );
+       rain_n = metar_base_n->getNode("rain-norm", true );
+       hail_n = metar_base_n->getNode("hail-norm", true );
+       snow_n = metar_base_n->getNode("snow-norm", true );
+       snow_cover_n = metar_base_n->getNode("snow-cover", true );
+       magnetic_variation_n = fgGetNode( "/environment/magnetic-variation-deg", true );
+       ground_elevation_n = fgGetNode( "/position/ground-elev-m", true );
+       longitude_n = fgGetNode( "/position/longitude-deg", true );
+       latitude_n = fgGetNode( "/position/latitude-deg", true );
+       environment_clouds_n = fgGetNode("/environment/clouds");
+
+       boundary_wind_speed_n = fgGetNode("/environment/config/boundary/entry/wind-speed-kt", true );
+       boundary_wind_from_heading_n = fgGetNode("/environment/config/boundary/entry/wind-from-heading-deg", true );
+       boundary_visibility_n = fgGetNode("/environment/config/boundary/entry/visibility-m", true );
+       boundary_sea_level_pressure_n = fgGetNode("/environment/config/boundary/entry/pressure-sea-level-inhg", true );
+       boundary_sea_level_temperature_n = fgGetNode("/environment/config/boundary/entry/temperature-sea-level-degc", true );
+       boundary_sea_level_dewpoint_n = fgGetNode("/environment/config/boundary/entry/dewpoint-sea-level-degc", true );
+}
+
+FGMetarCtrl::~FGMetarCtrl ()
+{
+}
+
+void FGMetarCtrl::bind ()
+{
+       fgTie("/environment/metar/valid", this, &FGMetarCtrl::get_valid );
+       fgTie("/environment/params/metar-updates-environment", this, &FGMetarCtrl::get_enabled, &FGMetarCtrl::set_enabled );
+       fgTie("/environment/params/metar-updates-winds-aloft", this, &FGMetarCtrl::get_setup_winds_aloft, &FGMetarCtrl::set_setup_winds_aloft );
+}
+
+void FGMetarCtrl::unbind ()
+{
+       fgUntie("/environment/metar/valid");
+       fgUntie("/environment/params/metar-updates-environment");
+       fgUntie("/environment/params/metar-updates-winds-aloft");
+}
+
+// use a "command" to set station temp at station elevation
+static void set_temp_at_altitude( double temp_degc, double altitude_ft ) {
+       SGPropertyNode args;
+       SGPropertyNode *node = args.getNode("temp-degc", 0, true);
+       node->setDoubleValue( temp_degc );
+       node = args.getNode("altitude-ft", 0, true);
+       node->setDoubleValue( altitude_ft );
+       globals->get_commands()->execute( altitude_ft == 0.0 ? 
+               "set-sea-level-air-temp-degc" : 
+               "set-outside-air-temp-degc", &args);
+}
+
+static void set_dewpoint_at_altitude( double dewpoint_degc, double altitude_ft ) {
+       SGPropertyNode args;
+       SGPropertyNode *node = args.getNode("dewpoint-degc", 0, true);
+       node->setDoubleValue( dewpoint_degc );
+       node = args.getNode("altitude-ft", 0, true);
+       node->setDoubleValue( altitude_ft );
+       globals->get_commands()->execute( altitude_ft == 0.0 ?
+               "set-dewpoint-sea-level-air-temp-degc" :
+               "set-dewpoint-temp-degc", &args);
+}
+
+/*
+ Setup the wind nodes for a branch in the /environment/config/<branchName>/entry nodes
+
+ Output properties:
+ wind-from-heading-deg
+ wind-speed-kt
+ turbulence/magnitude-norm
+
+ Input properties:
+ wind-heading-change-deg       how many degrees does the wind direction change at this level
+ wind-speed-change-rel         relative change of wind speed at this level 
+ turbulence/factor             factor for the calculated turbulence magnitude at this level
+ */
+static void setupWindBranch( string branchName, double dir, double speed, double gust )
+{
+       SGPropertyNode_ptr branch = fgGetNode("/environment/config", true)->getNode(branchName,true);
+       vector<SGPropertyNode_ptr> entries = branch->getChildren("entry");
+       for ( vector<SGPropertyNode_ptr>::iterator it = entries.begin(); it != entries.end(); it++) {
+
+               // change wind direction as configured
+               double layer_dir = dir + (*it)->getDoubleValue("wind-heading-change-deg", 0.0 );
+               if( layer_dir >= 360.0 ) layer_dir -= 360.0;
+               if( layer_dir < 0.0 ) layer_dir += 360.0;
+               (*it)->setDoubleValue("wind-from-heading-deg", layer_dir);
+
+               double layer_speed = speed*(1 + (*it)->getDoubleValue("wind-speed-change-rel", 0.0 ));
+               (*it)->setDoubleValue("wind-speed-kt", layer_speed );
+
+               // add some turbulence
+               SGPropertyNode_ptr turbulence = (*it)->getNode("turbulence",true);
+
+               double turbulence_norm = speed/50;
+               if( gust > speed ) {
+                       turbulence_norm += (gust-speed)/25;
+               }
+               if( turbulence_norm > 1.0 ) turbulence_norm = 1.0;
+
+               turbulence_norm *= turbulence->getDoubleValue("factor", 0.0 );
+               turbulence->setDoubleValue( "magnitude-norm", turbulence_norm );
+       }
+}
+
+static void setupWind( bool setup_aloft, double dir, double speed, double gust )
+{
+       setupWindBranch( "boundary", dir, speed, gust );
+       if( setup_aloft )
+               setupWindBranch( "aloft", dir, speed, gust );
+}
+
+double FGMetarCtrl::interpolate_val(double currentval, double requiredval, double dval )
+{
+       if (fabs(currentval - requiredval) < dval) return requiredval;
+       if (currentval < requiredval) return (currentval + dval);
+       if (currentval > requiredval) return (currentval - dval);
+       return requiredval;
+}
+
+void
+FGMetarCtrl::init ()
+{
+       first_update = true;
+       wind_interpolation_required = true;
+}
+
+void
+FGMetarCtrl::reinit ()
+{
+       init();
+}
+
+static inline double convert_to_360( double d )
+{
+       if( d < 0.0 ) return d + 360.0;
+       if( d >= 360.0 ) return d - 360.0;
+       return d;
+}
+
+static inline double convert_to_180( double d )
+{
+       return d > 180.0 ? d - 360.0 : d;
+}
+
+// Return the sea level pressure for a metar observation, in inHg.
+// This is different from QNH because it accounts for the current
+// temperature at the observation point.
+// metarPressure in inHg
+// fieldHt in ft
+// fieldTemp in C
+
+static double reducePressureSl(double metarPressure, double fieldHt,
+                               double fieldTemp)
+{
+       double elev = fieldHt * SG_FEET_TO_METER;
+       double fieldPressure
+               = FGAtmo::fieldPressure(elev, metarPressure * atmodel::inHg);
+       double slPressure = P_layer(0, elev, fieldPressure,
+               fieldTemp + atmodel::freezing, atmodel::ISA::lam0);
+       return slPressure / atmodel::inHg;
+}
+
+void
+FGMetarCtrl::update(double dt)
+{
+       if( dt <= 0 || !metar_valid ||!enabled)
+               return;
+
+       windModulator->update(dt);
+       // Interpolate the current configuration closer to the actual METAR
+
+       bool reinit_required = false;
+       bool layer_rebuild_required = false;
+       double station_elevation_ft = station_elevation_n->getDoubleValue();
+
+       if (first_update) {
+               double dir = base_wind_dir_n->getDoubleValue()+magnetic_variation_n->getDoubleValue();
+               double speed = base_wind_speed_n->getDoubleValue();
+               double gust = gust_wind_speed_n->getDoubleValue();
+               setupWind(setup_winds_aloft, dir, speed, gust);
+
+               double metarvis = min_visibility_n->getDoubleValue();
+               fgDefaultWeatherValue("visibility-m", metarvis);
+
+               set_temp_at_altitude(temperature_n->getDoubleValue(), station_elevation_ft);
+               set_dewpoint_at_altitude(dewpoint_n->getDoubleValue(), station_elevation_ft);
+
+               double metarpressure = pressure_n->getDoubleValue();
+               fgDefaultWeatherValue("pressure-sea-level-inhg",
+                       reducePressureSl(metarpressure,
+                       station_elevation_ft,
+                       temperature_n->getDoubleValue()));
+
+               // We haven't already loaded a METAR, so apply it immediately.
+               vector<SGPropertyNode_ptr> layers = clouds_n->getChildren("layer");
+               vector<SGPropertyNode_ptr>::const_iterator layer;
+               vector<SGPropertyNode_ptr>::const_iterator layers_end = layers.end();
+
+               int i;
+               for (i = 0, layer = layers.begin(); layer != layers_end; ++layer, i++) {
+                       SGPropertyNode *target = environment_clouds_n->getChild("layer", i, true);
+
+                       target->setStringValue("coverage",
+                                       (*layer)->getStringValue("coverage", "clear"));
+                       target->setDoubleValue("elevation-ft",
+                                       (*layer)->getDoubleValue("elevation-ft"));
+                       target->setDoubleValue("thickness-ft",
+                                       (*layer)->getDoubleValue("thickness-ft"));
+                       target->setDoubleValue("span-m", 40000.0);
+               }
+
+               first_update = false;
+               reinit_required = true;
+               layer_rebuild_required = true;
+
+       } else {
+               if( wind_interpolation_required ) {
+                       // Generate interpolated values between the METAR and the current
+                       // configuration.
+
+                       // Pick up the METAR wind values and convert them into a vector.
+                       double metar[2];
+                       double metar_speed = base_wind_speed_n->getDoubleValue();
+                       double metar_heading = base_wind_dir_n->getDoubleValue()+magnetic_variation_n->getDoubleValue();
+
+                       metar[0] = metar_speed * sin(metar_heading * SG_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS );
+                       metar[1] = metar_speed * cos(metar_heading * SG_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS);
+
+                       // Convert the current wind values and convert them into a vector
+                       double current[2];
+                       double speed = boundary_wind_speed_n->getDoubleValue();
+                       double dir_from = boundary_wind_from_heading_n->getDoubleValue();;
+
+                       current[0] = speed * sin(dir_from * SG_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS );
+                       current[1] = speed * cos(dir_from * SG_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS );
+
+                       // Determine the maximum component-wise value that the wind can change.
+                       // First we determine the fraction in the X and Y component, then
+                       // factor by the maximum wind change.
+                       double x = fabs(current[0] - metar[0]);
+                       double y = fabs(current[1] - metar[1]);
+
+                       // only interpolate if we have a difference
+                       if (x + y > 0.01 ) {
+                               double dx = x / (x + y);
+                               double dy = 1 - dx;
+
+                               double maxdx = dx * MaxWindChangeKtsSec;
+                               double maxdy = dy * MaxWindChangeKtsSec;
+
+                               // Interpolate each component separately.
+                               current[0] = interpolate_val(current[0], metar[0], maxdx*dt);
+                               current[1] = interpolate_val(current[1], metar[1], maxdy*dt);
+
+                               // Now convert back to polar coordinates.
+                               if ((fabs(current[0]) > 0.1) || (fabs(current[1]) > 0.1)) {
+                                       // Some real wind to convert back from. Work out the speed
+                                       // and direction value in degrees.
+                                       speed = sqrt((current[0] * current[0]) + (current[1] * current[1]));
+                                       dir_from = (atan2(current[0], current[1]) * SG_RADIANS_TO_DEGREES );
+
+                                       // Normalize the direction.
+                                       if (dir_from < 0.0)
+                                               dir_from += 360.0;
+
+                                       SG_LOG( SG_GENERAL, SG_DEBUG, "Wind : " << dir_from << "@" << speed);
+                               } else {
+                                       // Special case where there is no wind (otherwise atan2 barfs)
+                                       speed = 0.0;
+                               }
+                               double gust = gust_wind_speed_n->getDoubleValue();
+                               setupWind(setup_winds_aloft, dir_from, speed, gust);
+                               reinit_required = true;
+                       } else { 
+                               wind_interpolation_required = false;
+                       }
+               } else { // if(wind_interpolation_required)
+                       // interpolation of wind vector is finished, apply wind
+                       // variations and gusts for the boundary layer only
+
+
+                       bool wind_modulated = false;
+
+                       // start with the main wind direction
+                       double wind_dir = base_wind_dir_n->getDoubleValue()+magnetic_variation_n->getDoubleValue();
+                       double min = convert_to_180(base_wind_range_from_n->getDoubleValue()+magnetic_variation_n->getDoubleValue());
+                       double max = convert_to_180(base_wind_range_to_n->getDoubleValue()+magnetic_variation_n->getDoubleValue());
+                       if( max > min ) {
+                               // if variable winds configured, modulate the wind direction
+                               double f = windModulator->get_direction_offset_norm();
+                               wind_dir = min+(max-min)*f;
+                               double old = convert_to_180(boundary_wind_from_heading_n->getDoubleValue());
+                               wind_dir = convert_to_360(fgGetLowPass(old, wind_dir, dt ));
+                               wind_modulated = true;
+                       }
+                       
+                       // start with main wind speed
+                       double wind_speed = base_wind_speed_n->getDoubleValue();
+                       max = gust_wind_speed_n->getDoubleValue();
+                       if( max > wind_speed ) {
+                               // if gusts are configured, modulate wind magnitude
+                               double f = windModulator->get_magnitude_factor_norm();
+                               wind_speed = wind_speed+(max-wind_speed)*f;
+                               wind_speed = fgGetLowPass(boundary_wind_speed_n->getDoubleValue(), wind_speed, dt );
+                               wind_modulated = true;
+                       }
+                       if( wind_modulated ) {
+                               setupWind(false, wind_dir, wind_speed, max);
+                               reinit_required = true;
+                       }
+               }
+
+               // Now handle the visibility. We convert both visibility values
+               // to X-values, then interpolate from there, then back to real values.
+               // The length_scale is fixed to 1000m, so the visibility changes by
+               // by MaxVisChangePercentSec or 1000m X MaxVisChangePercentSec,
+               // whichever is more.
+               double vis = boundary_visibility_n->getDoubleValue();;
+               double metarvis = min_visibility_n->getDoubleValue();
+               if( vis != metarvis ) {
+                       double currentxval = log(1000.0 + vis);
+                       double metarxval = log(1000.0 + metarvis);
+
+                       currentxval = interpolate_val(currentxval, metarxval, MaxVisChangePercentSec*dt);
+
+                       // Now convert back from an X-value to a straightforward visibility.
+                       vis = exp(currentxval) - 1000.0;
+                       fgDefaultWeatherValue("visibility-m", vis);
+                       reinit_required = true;
+               }
+
+               double pressure = boundary_sea_level_pressure_n->getDoubleValue();
+               double metarpressure = pressure_n->getDoubleValue();
+               double newpressure = reducePressureSl(metarpressure,
+                       station_elevation_ft,
+                       temperature_n->getDoubleValue());
+               if( pressure != newpressure ) {
+                       pressure = interpolate_val( pressure, newpressure, MaxPressureChangeInHgSec*dt );
+                       fgDefaultWeatherValue("pressure-sea-level-inhg", pressure);
+                       reinit_required = true;
+               }
+
+               {
+                       double temperature = boundary_sea_level_temperature_n->getDoubleValue();
+                       double dewpoint = boundary_sea_level_dewpoint_n->getDoubleValue();
+                       if( metar_sealevel_temperature != temperature ) {
+                               temperature = interpolate_val( temperature, metar_sealevel_temperature, MaxTemperatureChangeDegcSec*dt );
+                               set_temp_at_altitude( temperature, 0.0 );
+                       }
+                       if( metar_sealevel_dewpoint != dewpoint ) {
+                               dewpoint = interpolate_val( dewpoint, metar_sealevel_dewpoint, MaxTemperatureChangeDegcSec*dt );
+                               set_dewpoint_at_altitude( dewpoint, 0.0 );
+                       }
+               }
+
+               // Set the cloud layers by interpolating over the METAR versions.
+               vector<SGPropertyNode_ptr> layers = clouds_n->getChildren("layer");
+               vector<SGPropertyNode_ptr>::const_iterator layer;
+               vector<SGPropertyNode_ptr>::const_iterator layers_end = layers.end();
+
+               double aircraft_alt = fgGetDouble("/position/altitude-ft");
+               int i;
+
+               for (i = 0, layer = layers.begin(); layer != layers_end; ++layer, i++) {
+                       SGPropertyNode *target = environment_clouds_n->getChild("layer", i, true);
+
+                       // In the case of clouds, we want to avoid writing if nothing has
+                       // changed, as these properties are tied to the renderer and will
+                       // cause the clouds to be updated, reseting the texture locations.
+
+                       // We don't interpolate the coverage values as no-matter how we
+                       // do it, it will be quite a sudden change of texture. Better to
+                       // have a single change than four or five.
+                       const char *coverage = (*layer)->getStringValue("coverage", "clear");
+                       SGPropertyNode *cov = target->getNode("coverage", true);
+                       if (strcmp(cov->getStringValue(), coverage) != 0) {
+                               cov->setStringValue(coverage);
+                               layer_rebuild_required = true;
+                       }
+
+                       double required_alt = (*layer)->getDoubleValue("elevation-ft");
+                       double current_alt = target->getDoubleValue("elevation-ft");
+                       double required_thickness = (*layer)->getDoubleValue("thickness-ft");
+                       SGPropertyNode *thickness = target->getNode("thickness-ft", true);
+
+                       if (current_alt < -9000 || required_alt < -9000 ||
+                               fabs(aircraft_alt - required_alt) > MaxCloudInterpolationHeightFt ||
+                               fabs(current_alt - required_alt) > MaxCloudInterpolationDeltaFt) {
+                               // We don't interpolate any layers that are
+                               //  - too far above us to be visible
+                               //  - too far below us to be visible
+                               //  - with too large a difference to make interpolation sensible
+                               //  - to or from -9999 (used as a placeholder)
+                               //  - any values that are too high above us,
+                               if (current_alt != required_alt)
+                                       target->setDoubleValue("elevation-ft", required_alt);
+
+                               if (thickness->getDoubleValue() != required_thickness)
+                                       thickness->setDoubleValue(required_thickness);
+
+                       } else {
+                               // Interpolate the other values in the usual way
+                               if (current_alt != required_alt) {
+                                       current_alt = interpolate_val(current_alt, required_alt, MaxCloudAltitudeChangeFtSec*dt);
+                                       target->setDoubleValue("elevation-ft", current_alt);
+                               }
+
+                               double current_thickness = thickness->getDoubleValue();
+
+                               if (current_thickness != required_thickness) {
+                                       current_thickness = interpolate_val(current_thickness,
+                                                                                                required_thickness,
+                                                                                                MaxCloudThicknessChangeFtSec*dt);
+                                       thickness->setDoubleValue(current_thickness);
+                               }
+                       }
+               }
+       }
+
+       // Force an update of the 3D clouds
+       if( layer_rebuild_required )
+               fgSetInt("/environment/rebuild-layers", 1 );
+
+       // Reinitializing of the environment controller required
+       if( reinit_required )
+               _environmentCtrl->reinit();
+}
+
+const char * FGMetarCtrl::get_metar(void) const
+{
+       return metar.c_str();
+}
+
+static const char *coverage_string[] = { "clear", "few", "scattered", "broken", "overcast" };
+static const double thickness_value[] = { 0, 65, 600, 750, 1000 };
+
+void FGMetarCtrl::set_metar( const char * metar_string )
+{
+       int i;
+
+       metar = metar_string;
+
+       SGSharedPtr<FGMetar> m;
+       try {
+               m = new FGMetar( metar_string );
+       }
+       catch( sg_io_exception ) {
+               fprintf( stderr, "can't get metar: %s\n", metar_string );
+               metar_valid = false;
+               return;
+       }
+
+       wind_interpolation_required = true;
+
+       min_visibility_n->setDoubleValue( m->getMinVisibility().getVisibility_m() );
+       max_visibility_n->setDoubleValue( m->getMaxVisibility().getVisibility_m() );
+
+       const SGMetarVisibility *dirvis = m->getDirVisibility();
+       for (i = 0; i < 8; i++, dirvis++) {
+               SGPropertyNode *vis = metar_base_n->getChild("visibility", i, true);
+               double v = dirvis->getVisibility_m();
+
+               vis->setDoubleValue("min-m", v);
+               vis->setDoubleValue("max-m", v);
+       }
+
+       base_wind_dir_n->setIntValue( m->getWindDir() );
+       base_wind_range_from_n->setIntValue( m->getWindRangeFrom() );
+       base_wind_range_to_n->setIntValue( m->getWindRangeTo() );
+       base_wind_speed_n->setDoubleValue( m->getWindSpeed_kt() );
+       gust_wind_speed_n->setDoubleValue( m->getGustSpeed_kt() );
+       temperature_n->setDoubleValue( m->getTemperature_C() );
+       dewpoint_n->setDoubleValue( m->getDewpoint_C() );
+       humidity_n->setDoubleValue( m->getRelHumidity() );
+       pressure_n->setDoubleValue( m->getPressure_inHg() );
+
+
+       // get station elevation to compute cloud base
+       double station_elevation_ft = 0;
+       {
+               // 1. check the id given in the metar
+               FGAirport* a = FGAirport::findByIdent(m->getId());
+
+               // 2. if unknown, find closest airport with metar to current position
+               if( a == NULL ) {
+                       SGGeod pos = SGGeod::fromDeg(longitude_n->getDoubleValue(), latitude_n->getDoubleValue());
+                       a = FGAirport::findClosest(pos, 10000.0, &airportWithMetarFilter);
+               }
+
+               // 3. otherwise use ground elevation
+               if( a != NULL ) {
+                       station_elevation_ft = a->getElevation();
+                       station_id_n->setStringValue( a->ident());
+               } else {
+                       station_elevation_ft = ground_elevation_n->getDoubleValue() * SG_METER_TO_FEET;
+                       station_id_n->setStringValue( m->getId());
+               }
+       }
+
+       station_elevation_n->setDoubleValue( station_elevation_ft );
+
+       {       // calculate sea level temperature and dewpoint
+               FGEnvironment dummy; // instantiate a dummy so we can leech a method
+               dummy.set_elevation_ft( station_elevation_ft );
+               dummy.set_temperature_degc( temperature_n->getDoubleValue() );
+               dummy.set_dewpoint_degc( dewpoint_n->getDoubleValue() );
+               metar_sealevel_temperature = dummy.get_temperature_sea_level_degc();
+               metar_sealevel_dewpoint = dummy.get_dewpoint_sea_level_degc();
+       }
+
+       vector<SGMetarCloud> cv = m->getClouds();
+       vector<SGMetarCloud>::const_iterator cloud, cloud_end = cv.end();
+
+       int layer_cnt = environment_clouds_n->getChildren("layer").size();
+       for (i = 0, cloud = cv.begin(); i < layer_cnt; i++) {
+
+
+               const char *coverage = "clear";
+               double elevation = -9999.0;
+               double thickness = 0.0;
+               const double span = 40000.0;
+
+               if (cloud != cloud_end) {
+                       int c = cloud->getCoverage();
+                       coverage = coverage_string[c];
+                       elevation = cloud->getAltitude_ft() + station_elevation_ft;
+                       thickness = thickness_value[c];
+                       ++cloud;
+               }
+
+               SGPropertyNode *layer = clouds_n->getChild("layer", i, true );
+
+               // if the coverage has changed, a rebuild of the layer is needed
+               if( strcmp(layer->getStringValue("coverage"), coverage ) ) {
+                       layer->setStringValue("coverage", coverage);
+               }
+               layer->setDoubleValue("elevation-ft", elevation);
+               layer->setDoubleValue("thickness-ft", thickness);
+               layer->setDoubleValue("span-m", span);
+       }
+
+       rain_n->setDoubleValue(m->getRain());
+       hail_n->setDoubleValue(m->getHail());
+       snow_n->setDoubleValue(m->getSnow());
+       snow_cover_n->setBoolValue(m->getSnowCover());
+       metar_valid = true;
+}
+
+#if defined(ENABLE_THREADS)
+/**
+ * This class represents the thread of execution responsible for
+ * fetching the metar data.
+ */
+class MetarThread : public OpenThreads::Thread {
+public:
+       MetarThread( FGMetarFetcher * f ) : metar_fetcher(f) {}
+       ~MetarThread() {}
+
+       /**
+        * Fetche the metar data from the NOAA.
+        */
+       void run();
+
+private:
+       FGMetarFetcher * metar_fetcher;
+};
+
+void MetarThread::run()
+{
+       for( ;; ) {
+               string airport_id = metar_fetcher->request_queue.pop();
+
+               if( airport_id.size() == 0 )
+                       break;
+
+               if( metar_fetcher->_error_count > 3 ) {
+                       SG_LOG( SG_GENERAL, SG_WARN, "Too many erros fetching METAR, thread stopped permanently.");
+                       break;
+               }
+
+               metar_fetcher->fetch( airport_id );
+       }
+}
+#endif
+
+FGMetarFetcher::FGMetarFetcher() : 
+#if defined(ENABLE_THREADS)
+       metar_thread(NULL),
+#endif
+       fetch_timer(0.0),
+       search_timer(0.0),
+       error_timer(0.0),
+       _stale_count(0),
+       _error_count(0),
+       enabled(false)
+{
+       longitude_n = fgGetNode( "/position/longitude-deg", true );
+       latitude_n  = fgGetNode( "/position/latitude-deg", true );
+       enable_n    = fgGetNode( "/environment/params/real-world-weather-fetch", true );
+
+       proxy_host_n = fgGetNode("/sim/presets/proxy/host", true);
+       proxy_port_n = fgGetNode("/sim/presets/proxy/port", true);
+       proxy_auth_n = fgGetNode("/sim/presets/proxy/authentication", true);
+       max_age_n    = fgGetNode("/environment/params/metar-max-age-min", true);
+
+       output_n         = fgGetNode("/environment/metar/data", true );
+#if defined(ENABLE_THREADS)
+       metar_thread = new MetarThread(this);
+// FIXME: do we really need setProcessorAffinity()?
+//     metar_thread->setProcessorAffinity(1);
+       metar_thread->start();
+#endif // ENABLE_THREADS
+}
+
+
+FGMetarFetcher::~FGMetarFetcher()
+{
+#if defined(ENABLE_THREADS)
+       request_queue.push("");
+       metar_thread->join();
+       delete metar_thread;
+#endif // ENABLE_THREADS
+}
+
+void FGMetarFetcher::init ()
+{
+       fetch_timer = 0.0;
+       search_timer = 0.0;
+       error_timer = 0.0;
+       _stale_count = 0;
+       _error_count = 0;
+       current_airport_id.clear();
+       /* Torsten Dreyer:
+          hack to stop startup.nas complaining if metar arrives after nasal-dir-initialized
+          is fired. Immediately fetch and wait for the METAR before continuing. This gets the
+          /environment/metar/xxx properties filled before nasal-dir is initialized.
+          Maybe the runway selection should happen here to make startup.nas obsolete?
+       */
+       const char * startup_airport = fgGetString("/sim/startup/options/airport");
+       if( *startup_airport ) {
+               FGAirport * a = FGAirport::getByIdent( startup_airport );
+               if( a ) {
+                       SGGeod pos = SGGeod::fromDeg(a->getLongitude(), a->getLatitude());
+                       a = FGAirport::findClosest(pos, 10000.0, &airportWithMetarFilter);
+                       current_airport_id = a->getId();
+                       fetch( current_airport_id );
+               }
+       }
+}
+
+void FGMetarFetcher::reinit ()
+{
+       init();
+}
+
+/* search for closest airport with metar every xx seconds */
+static const int search_interval_sec = 60;
+
+/* fetch metar for airport, even if airport has not changed every xx seconds */
+static const int fetch_interval_sec = 900;
+
+/* reset error counter after xxx seconds */
+static const int error_timer_sec = 3;
+
+void FGMetarFetcher::update (double delta_time_sec)
+{
+       fetch_timer -= delta_time_sec;
+       search_timer -= delta_time_sec;
+       error_timer -= delta_time_sec;
+
+       if( error_timer <= 0.0 ) {
+               error_timer = error_timer_sec;
+               _error_count = 0;
+       }
+
+       if( enable_n->getBoolValue() == false ) {
+               enabled = false;
+               return;
+       }
+
+       // we were just enabled, reset all timers to 
+       // trigger immediate metar fetch
+       if( !enabled ) {
+               search_timer = 0.0;
+               fetch_timer = 0.0;
+               error_timer = error_timer_sec;
+               enabled = true;
+       }
+
+       FGAirport * a = NULL;
+
+       if( search_timer <= 0.0 ) {
+               // search timer expired, search closest airport with metar
+               SGGeod pos = SGGeod::fromDeg(longitude_n->getDoubleValue(), latitude_n->getDoubleValue());
+               a = FGAirport::findClosest(pos, 10000.0, &airportWithMetarFilter);
+               search_timer = search_interval_sec;
+       }
+
+       if( a == NULL )
+               return;
+
+
+       if( a->ident() != current_airport_id || fetch_timer <= 0 ) {
+               // fetch timer expired or airport has changed, schedule a fetch
+               current_airport_id = a->ident();
+               fetch_timer = fetch_interval_sec;
+#if defined(ENABLE_THREADS)
+               // push this airport id into the queue for the worker thread
+               request_queue.push( current_airport_id );
+#else
+               // if there is no worker thread, immediately fetch the data
+               fetch( current_airport_id );
+#endif
+       }
+}
+
+void FGMetarFetcher::fetch( const string & id )
+{
+       if( enable_n->getBoolValue() == false ) 
+               return;
+
+       SGSharedPtr<FGMetar> result = NULL;
+
+       // fetch current metar data
+       try {
+               string host = proxy_host_n->getStringValue();
+               string auth = proxy_auth_n->getStringValue();
+               string port = proxy_port_n->getStringValue();
+
+               result = new FGMetar( id, host, port, auth);
+
+               long max_age = max_age_n->getLongValue();
+               long age = result->getAge_min();
+
+               if (max_age && age > max_age) {
+                       SG_LOG( SG_GENERAL, SG_WARN, "METAR data too old (" << age << " min).");
+                       if (++_stale_count > 10) {
+                               _error_count = 1000;
+                               throw sg_io_exception("More than 10 stale METAR messages in a row." " Check your system time!");
+                       }
+               } else {
+                       _stale_count = 0;
+               }
+
+       } catch (const sg_io_exception& e) {
+               SG_LOG( SG_GENERAL, SG_WARN, "Error fetching live weather data: " << e.getFormattedMessage().c_str() );
+               result = NULL;
+               // remove METAR flag from the airport
+               FGAirport * a = FGAirport::findByIdent( id );
+               if( a ) a->setMetar( false );
+               // immediately schedule a new search
+               search_timer = 0.0;
+       }
+
+       // write the metar to the property node, the rest is done by the methods tied to this property
+       // don't write the metar data, if real-weather-fetch has been disabled in the meantime
+       if( result != NULL && enable_n->getBoolValue() == true ) 
+               output_n->setStringValue( result->getData() );
 }
 
 // end of environment_ctrl.cxx
+