DRAGEN can subsample a random, fractional percentage of reads from an input file using the fractional downsampler. You can use downsampling to subsample data sets in order to simulate different amounts of sequencing. DRAGEN randomly subsamples reads from primary analysis without any modification (e.g. no trimming, no filtering, etc.).

To enable fractional downsampling, set the --enable-fractional-down-sampler command line option to true.

Any valid sequencing data format that is compatible with the DRAGEN Host Software can be used. For more information on compatible input options, see Input Options.

Command Line Options

In addition to enabling the fractional downsampling command line option, you must set the subsample fraction to downsample. To set the subsample fraction, use --down-sampler-normal-subsample and/or --down-sampler-tumor-subsample depending on the input files.

You can also specify a seed using --down-sampler-random-seed to generate different subsamples of the input data set.

DRAGEN can reserve a random subset of fragments that are separate from the normal alignment outputs using downsampling. You can use downsampling to generate data sets for performing comparisons between samples or between replicates. DRAGEN samples fragments after performing any hardware accelerated trimming or filtering functions, which enables DRAGEN to rapidly create analysis-read test data sets.

To enable downsampling, set the --enable-down-sampler command line option to true.

You can use any valid sequencing data format that is compatible with the DRAGEN Host Software. For more information on compatible input options, see .

DRAGEN downsampling outputs the reserved subset of data in FASTQ format. If the input is paired-ended, DRAGEN outputs two FASTQ files that contain subsampled data. If the input is unpaired, DRAGEN outputs two FASTQ files.

Command-line Options

In addition to enabling the downsampling command line option, you must set the quantity of fragments to downsample. To set the quantity of fragments, use either --down-sampler-fragments or --down-sampler-coverage.

If you specified a coverage level, you must also specify a genome using the --ref-dir or manually specify the genome size using --down-sampler-genome-size. If you specify both a read and coverage limit, DRAGEN applies both quantity limits and keeps whichever result is smaller.