1. Operations Software
Bryan Butler

2. EVLA M&C Transition Software CDR
Introduction
There are many diverse pieces of software needed for everyday operations that don’t quite fit in to the overall architecture diagram - the things that the operators do on a day-to-day basis.
We know about these software items because of their need in operating the VLA.
I’ll discuss some of these briefly now.
2006Dec05/06
EVLA M&C Transition Software CDR

3. EVLA M&C Transition Software CDR
Main Categories
The software that operators generally run can be broken down into a few main categories:
Submitting jobs, including normal science observing, and a number of “standard” tests
Monitoring the array
Managing observing logs
Keeping track of maintenance issues
Tracking what gets observed
Periodic checkups (shift, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly)
Asynchronous checkups (antenna acceptance, etc.)
2006Dec05/06
EVLA M&C Transition Software CDR

4. Example - Antenna Acceptance
Before antennas can be used in regular operations, they must be demonstrated to actually be able to be used properly.
A checklist has been developed for this.
Operators are using it regularly.
It is command line currently, morphing to be part of the Operator’s Interface in the near-term (months).
Will have to be extended as needed, but sufficient for now
2006Dec05/06
EVLA M&C Transition Software CDR

5. Pointing, Baselines, etc.
Operators need to be able to do all of these normal tasks:
Pointing (global antenna pointing model)
Baselines (antenna location)
Focus
Delays
Software exists to do this now, but it is only usable by experts - we need a conversion to more simple interfaces.
2006Dec05/06
EVLA M&C Transition Software CDR

6. Example - global & reference pointing model
Modcomp only
2006Dec05/06
EVLA M&C Transition Software CDR

7. Example - global & reference pointing model
Modcomp & EVLA
2006Dec05/06
EVLA M&C Transition Software CDR

8. Example - global & reference pointing model
EVLA, pre-WIDAR
2006Dec05/06
EVLA M&C Transition Software CDR

9. Example - global & reference pointing model
EVLA, w/ WIDAR
2006Dec05/06
EVLA M&C Transition Software CDR

10. EVLA M&C Transition Software CDR
Standard Scripts
There are a number of other pieces of the VLA operations software that are currently implemented as programs or special OBSERVE files that can be implemented as new jython scripts. This includes:
SYSTIP
SYSSTART
SYSFLUX
SYSCORR
SYSTEST
MODCAL
SNOW
SYSMELT
Etc…
We are in the process of converting these as needed.
2006Dec05/06
EVLA M&C Transition Software CDR