Unisys announces pcPUP low-cost, direct connect weather display workstation.

BLUE BELL, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 18, 1995--Unisys Corp. Wednesday announced the pcPUP (Principal User Processor) workstation, a weather information solution that provides a low-cost method of collecting and displaying information directly from WSR-88D (NEXRAD) weather radars and other weather data sources.

Based on the Unisys SkyVision software, pcPUP allows NEXRAD users to collect, display, loop, manipulate and print weather data. It improves the productivity of NEXRAD users by increasing the number of displays of NEXRAD weather products via local-area networks, dial-in remote access or local cable TV systems.

The pcPUP solution has been tested by the United States National Weather Service, resulting in a certification that pcPUP can be added to NEXRAD systems with no degradation in NEXRAD performance.

"No longer are NEXRAD forecasters limited to viewing products on a single PUP. With the pcPUP, users can add as many NEXRAD displays as are required," said Tony Lombardi, program manager, Unisys Weather Information Services.

"Now NEXRAD products can be displayed by users on a network, or across a base or campus to a briefing room or to a ground operations dispatch office. This yields substantial improvements in the responsiveness of each forecast office."

The pcPUP runs on UNIX servers and features an X-Windows graphical user interface, making the software easy to learn by non-technical end users. A typical configuration includes a Unisys PW2 90-megahertz Pentium personal computer with a 14-inch EVGA monitor, 1 gigabyte hard disk, a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, 32 megabytes of memory and a NEXRAD-compatible Codex modem and cabling.

The pcPUP is compatible with both X.25 and non-X.25 WSR-88D interfaces. Options include larger monitors, additional disk and tape drives, local-area network card, NTSC (TV) output, installation and training and a dial-in distribution box for remote access of weather data products.

Unlike other direct-connect systems, the pcPUP is upgradable to collect data from the Unisys satellite-delivered worldwide weather database to display satellite imagery, lightning strike data, alphanumerics, DIFAX and other weather data.

Price and availability

The typical Unisys pcPUP configuration sells for $18,525 and includes all the hardware and software needed to connect to a NEXRAD and to display weather products. The pcPUP comes with a one-year warranty. It is available immediately.

Located in Kennett Square, Unisys Weather Information Services is a division of the Unisys Transportation Line of Business. Its products address the needs of weather forecasting offices, integrated weather and airline flight operations and integrated weather data collection services for airports.

It offers weather display products and data to users and value-added resellers from a network of Doppler radars, satellite and other weather sources.

Solutions include SkyVision, a UNIX X-Windows software application that collects and displays weather information; SkyView, a DOS/Windows solution for collection and display of radar data and radar mosaics; and pcPUP. Unisys Weather Information Services also offers airport weather solutions comprising weather sensors and communications networks for small- to medium-sized airport installations. -0- Unisys is a registered trademark, and SkyVision, SkyView and pcPUP are trademarks, of Unisys Corp. All other brand names are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Unisys Corp., Blue Bell

Steve Holzman, 215/986-5098

Internet: [e-mail]