Field System TopicsField System Topics

Ed Himwich, John Gipson, Ed Himwich, John Gipson, Jonathan Quick, andJonathan Quick, and

Brian CoreyBrian Corey

Current StatusCurrent Status

FS 9.7.7FS 9.7.7

Some relatively small bugs knownSome relatively small bugs known

Tape labelsTape labels

Ground pick-up table in RXG filesGround pick-up table in RXG files

S2 Help files not selected properlyS2 Help files not selected properly

Station help files not selected properlyStation help files not selected properly

disk2file=;in2net=;disk_record=disk2file=;in2net=;disk_record=

Time tag display information errors in data_check, Time tag display information errors in data_check, scan_checkscan_check

……

FS 9.8.2 (Summer 2006)FS 9.8.2 (Summer 2006)

Many minor bugs fixedMany minor bugs fixedMark IV formatter bit slip detection (1 Ms/s)Mark IV formatter bit slip detection (1 Ms/s)Improved GNPLT version by Andrea OrlatiImproved GNPLT version by Andrea OrlatiNutation offset support in VEX parserNutation offset support in VEX parserMark5 support for “continuous” tape schedulesMark5 support for “continuous” tape schedules

RDV geodetic schedulesRDV geodetic schedulesVLBA correlation of FS recorded Mark5 disksVLBA correlation of FS recorded Mark5 disks

Field labels designed for disk packs Field labels designed for disk packs Automated ftp transferAutomated ftp transferfs_check.tclfs_check.tclOther small items generated by this meetingOther small items generated by this meeting

FS 9.8.3 (Fall 2006)FS 9.8.3 (Fall 2006)

S2 DAS support in DRUDGS2 DAS support in DRUDG

Eliminate use of some mk5=… commands for normal Eliminate use of some mk5=… commands for normal operationsoperations

Phase-cal extraction support for Mark IV decoders?Phase-cal extraction support for Mark IV decoders?

CHEKR monitoring of Mark5CHEKR monitoring of Mark5

Update Mark 5 “Remaining Capacity” display while Update Mark 5 “Remaining Capacity” display while recordingrecording

Automated disk2file ftp transferAutomated disk2file ftp transfer

Two optionsTwo options

Daemon running on Mark5 computer detects new Daemon running on Mark5 computer detects new file and manages transferfile and manages transfer

Detects problems, can manage multiple filesDetects problems, can manage multiple files

May be implemented by message sent after May be implemented by message sent after disk2file=abortdisk2file=abort

FS initiates transfer after disk2file=abortFS initiates transfer after disk2file=abortUse a SNAP script to start a process on the Mark5Use a SNAP script to start a process on the Mark5

Operating System IssuesOperating System Issues

FS Linux 6 DistributionFS Linux 6 Distribution

Based on Debian “Sarge”Based on Debian “Sarge”

Clean Install or Upgrade from FS Linux 5 (woody)Clean Install or Upgrade from FS Linux 5 (woody)

33rdrd Quarter 2006 (Jon) Quarter 2006 (Jon)

FirewallsFirewalls

Inexpensive, <US$100Inexpensive, <US$100

Should be used with older, no longer supported Should be used with older, no longer supported distributionsdistributions

Good idea for current distributionGood idea for current distribution

Longer term development items ILonger term development items I

Documentation UpdateDocumentation UpdateImprove prediction of disk pack change timesImprove prediction of disk pack change timesPointing software clean-upPointing software clean-up

Eliminate redundancies in pointing configuration information Eliminate redundancies in pointing configuration information by introducing a source coordinate database file and by introducing a source coordinate database file and reorganizing point.prc and ctlpo.ctl (aquir control file).reorganizing point.prc and ctlpo.ctl (aquir control file).Documentation clean-up to reflect new procedures and Documentation clean-up to reflect new procedures and utilitiesutilities

Improved TsysImproved TsysMost items completedMost items completedPost processing program to generate AIPS (ANTAB) format Post processing program to generate AIPS (ANTAB) format TSYS files from Cormac ReynoldsTSYS files from Cormac ReynoldsPeriodic firing of calibration diode with flagging neededPeriodic firing of calibration diode with flagging needed

Convert from fort77/f2c to g77Convert from fort77/f2c to g77Will allow use of source level debuggerWill allow use of source level debuggerMust maintain compatibiltiy with f2c for older distributionsMust maintain compatibiltiy with f2c for older distributions

Longer term development items IILonger term development items II

TNX (“Thanks”) command expansionTNX (“Thanks”) command expansionThis command currently provides a syntax to eliminate the display This command currently provides a syntax to eliminate the display of errors that the operator knows can’t be fixed and should be of errors that the operator knows can’t be fixed and should be ignored ignored Will be extended to allow different error messages with the same Will be extended to allow different error messages with the same number and two letter code to be distinguishednumber and two letter code to be distinguishedWill not allow an error that has not occurred to be masked off.Will not allow an error that has not occurred to be masked off.

FSVUEFSVUEIntegrated X client (Tcl/Tk) FS Operator Interface for FSIntegrated X client (Tcl/Tk) FS Operator Interface for FSSecond iteration now, uses client-server modelSecond iteration now, uses client-server modelAllows multiple “Operator Input/Log Display” consoles for remote Allows multiple “Operator Input/Log Display” consoles for remote operationoperationInitially add-on, eventually main interfaceInitially add-on, eventually main interfaceIncludes log display (scrolling doesn’t jump on new input) and Includes log display (scrolling doesn’t jump on new input) and operator input windowsoperator input windowsButtons to allow you to examine logs, help, and run various utilities: Buttons to allow you to examine logs, help, and run various utilities: monit, logpl, msg, and others.monit, logpl, msg, and others.

Longer term development items IIILonger term development items III

Band changesBand changesBand configuration procedures added to set-up by DRUDG.Band configuration procedures added to set-up by DRUDG.

The DRUDG control file will be expanded to include a table of station The DRUDG control file will be expanded to include a table of station defined procedures that can be used to set-up local station equipment defined procedures that can be used to set-up local station equipment for a band. These procedures can also be used manually by the for a band. These procedures can also be used manually by the operator as needed. Note that use of the existing SAVE_FILE operator as needed. Note that use of the existing SAVE_FILE command can be used in these procedures and INITI to recover the command can be used in these procedures and INITI to recover the receiver set-up between FS terminations and restarts.receiver set-up between FS terminations and restarts.

Add a command LOCONFIG.Add a command LOCONFIG.This will be used after the LO= commands in the IFD set-up procedure. This will be used after the LO= commands in the IFD set-up procedure. This can be used as trigger to start configuring the Los, if doing so in This can be used as trigger to start configuring the Los, if doing so in each individual LO= command might cause problems. By default, each individual LO= command might cause problems. By default, LOCONFIG will be a NO-OP, but it can be defined locally and do LOCONFIG will be a NO-OP, but it can be defined locally and do whatever is necessary for LO configuration in one step.whatever is necessary for LO configuration in one step.

CALON and CALOFF SNAP variables.CALON and CALOFF SNAP variables.This intended to deal with stations that have different cal control This intended to deal with stations that have different cal control methods for different bands. The idea is that variables will be methods for different bands. The idea is that variables will be introduced into SNAP, specifically two: CALON and CALOFF. These introduced into SNAP, specifically two: CALON and CALOFF. These can be defined by the band set-up procedures described above and can be defined by the band set-up procedures described above and used as $CALON and $CALOFF in procedures when the noise diode used as $CALON and $CALOFF in procedures when the noise diode needs to be controlled.needs to be controlled.

Additional Future Items IAdditional Future Items I

IF patching automation for Mark IV racksIF patching automation for Mark IV racks

EVN has hardware design, but not implemented in EVN has hardware design, but not implemented in field yet. We will need one relatively simple SNAP field yet. We will need one relatively simple SNAP command to support it:command to support it:

A special version of PATCH and a way to control which A special version of PATCH and a way to control which version is used.version is used.

Mark IV decoder supportMark IV decoder support

This is beyond the phase-cal monitoring This is beyond the phase-cal monitoring mentioned above, mainly a few SNAP commands mentioned above, mainly a few SNAP commands to control the decoder manually. Most of the effort to control the decoder manually. Most of the effort here is actually divining what is needed and here is actually divining what is needed and developing documentationdeveloping documentation

Additional Future Items IIAdditional Future Items II

Phase-cal control monitoring from VEX schedulesPhase-cal control monitoring from VEX schedules

Mark IV decoder support already plannedMark IV decoder support already planned

Mark 5B support expected when device availableMark 5B support expected when device available

AIPS format file generated from post-processingAIPS format file generated from post-processing

Support for VLBA digital switch boardSupport for VLBA digital switch board

Issues with making antenna calibration Issues with making antenna calibration reliablereliable

The biggest single issue is that antcn must be reliable The biggest single issue is that antcn must be reliable about returning the onsource statusabout returning the onsource status

Bad onsource status means that the collected data is Bad onsource status means that the collected data is badbad

Most common issues:Most common issues:

After a new source/offset is commanded, antcn After a new source/offset is commanded, antcn returns the status from before the new commandreturns the status from before the new command

Onsource test does not require close trackingOnsource test does not require close tracking

Antenna hasn’t settled yet when onsource is first Antenna hasn’t settled yet when onsource is first claimedclaimed

Calibration problems with onsourceCalibration problems with onsource

These problems can me ameliorated but not solved These problems can me ameliorated but not solved by:by:

Driving farther than is necessary off-source (won’t Driving farther than is necessary off-source (won’t help problems with onsource points)help problems with onsource points)

Increasing integration timeIncreasing integration time

Correct solution is to make antcn reliable, this can Correct solution is to make antcn reliable, this can usually be done, by coding antcn to “outsmart” usually be done, by coding antcn to “outsmart” antenna control computerantenna control computer

Tracking tolerance must be tight enough, typically Tracking tolerance must be tight enough, typically 0.1*FWHM, first LO frequencies from shared memory 0.1*FWHM, first LO frequencies from shared memory can be used to calculate beamwidth.can be used to calculate beamwidth.

Simple workaroundsSimple workarounds

If control computer returns tracking information from If control computer returns tracking information from old source/offset, add logic to antcn to remember old source/offset, add logic to antcn to remember when the source/offset was changed and the not when the source/offset was changed and the not allow an “onsource” state to be returned until enough allow an “onsource” state to be returned until enough time has passed to be sure information is accurate, time has passed to be sure information is accurate, usually one or more iterations of tracking loop.usually one or more iterations of tracking loop.

If antenna overshoots target or has trouble settling, If antenna overshoots target or has trouble settling, require antenna to report good tracking for two or require antenna to report good tracking for two or more times consecutively (or for some period of time) more times consecutively (or for some period of time) before reporting “onsource”.before reporting “onsource”.

Other methods are possible depending on the details Other methods are possible depending on the details of the antennaof the antenna

Issues with making antenna calibration Issues with making antenna calibration reliable +reliable +

Second biggest issue is that cal noise level must be Second biggest issue is that cal noise level must be stable by the stable by the endend of the calon and caloff procedures of the calon and caloff procedures

The system must be set-up this way for caltsys to The system must be set-up this way for caltsys to workwork

Easy solution is to add extra delay, for example, !+2s Easy solution is to add extra delay, for example, !+2s at end of calon and caloff procedureat end of calon and caloff procedure

Only add extra delay if there is a real problem with Only add extra delay if there is a real problem with cal stabilization, otherwise everything is slowed cal stabilization, otherwise everything is slowed down unnecessarilydown unnecessarily

Diagnostic SoftwareDiagnostic Software

Developed to automate station check-out for Developed to automate station check-out for CONT05, but useful for other stationsCONT05, but useful for other stations

Most tests require a Mark IV decoderMost tests require a Mark IV decoder

Small amount of customization for each stationSmall amount of customization for each station

General scheme for each test:General scheme for each test:

Station set-ups equipment in mode to testStation set-ups equipment in mode to test

Run test SNAP procedureRun test SNAP procedure

Analyze/plot using Perl/Pgperl scriptsAnalyze/plot using Perl/Pgperl scripts

Can easily be adapted for Mark 5BCan easily be adapted for Mark 5B

Expected to greatly improved sensitivityExpected to greatly improved sensitivity

Diagnostics TestsDiagnostics Tests

Baseband Bandpass shapesBaseband Bandpass shapes

Baseband L/USB image rejectionBaseband L/USB image rejection

Phase-cal powerPhase-cal power

Phase-cal spurious signalsPhase-cal spurious signals

Sampler statisticsSampler statistics

Stability testsStability tests

Orientation-dependentOrientation-dependent

DiurnalDiurnal

Short-termShort-term

Need to add Mark5 testsNeed to add Mark5 tests

Test ProceduresTest Procedures

Example test procedureExample test procedure

proc=rd0501gcproc=rd0501gc

setupsxsetupsx Set desired Set desired modemode

proc=systestsproc=systests

log=test01.loglog=test01.log Open a new logOpen a new log

pcalamppcalamp Run testRun test

pcalamp test01.logpcalamp test01.log Outside FS, plot dataOutside FS, plot data

Repeat last three steps for updates and other testsRepeat last three steps for updates and other tests

TestsTests