13.2 Schedule (source list)

For a list of sources we suggest to compile a schedule that will be processed by the Field System.

A) DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE

We suggest to use the editable template prepared by the Observatory staff : ctlpo.ctl   .The software executes all the procedures listed in the schedule. All the sources listed should be observed at the same frequency and with the same observing setup (videoconverter, local oscillator frequency, etc...). These parameters are defined during the preliminary operations (see Chap. 11)

B) RENAME THE DOWNLOADED FILE

Rename the file before editing it  (the directory must remain /usr2/control) :

cp ctlpo.ctl <filename>

C) COMPILE THE SCHEDULE

Two data streams and the source list are required. In Table 13.1 one can find an example for each element.

Tab. 13.1 : First data stream

- SETUP/TERMINATE : inital setting procedure (hereafter considered "as default") and final setting procedure (usually not implemented)

- Wait : time required by the procedure (default -1 for Setup and -2 for Terminate), can be :

    -2 : the procedure must not be executed

    -1 : once completed the procedure automatically calls the ACQUIRE program

     0  : the procedure must not be executed (as  -2, but used only for the FIVPT, PEAKF and ONOFF procedures)

     0< N<32767 : procedure length (minutes)

- Upper elevation limit : maximum elevation (degrees)

- Onsource wait : time required to reach the source, over which the program stops the observation (default 450)

- Compensation time : additional time to consider the source visible, it takes into account the antenna slewing time (default 450)

Tab. 13.2 : Second data stream

- Az/El : coordinates (degrees) related to the horizon line (must be a polygonal : minimum three values)

Tab. 13.3 : Source list

- NAME : pointing procedure. Standard sources are already listed in the Observatory catalogue and the name is sufficient. Otherwise it is necessay to edit an ad hoc procedure named as the source (10 characters maximum)

- R.A./Dec./Epoch : source coordinates, format : hhmmss.s/ddmmss.s/yyyy.y

- PREOB : setting procedure (necessary to change the default parameters)

- PREOB Wait : time required by the PREOB procedure (see tab. 13.1), default  -1. If the -2 value is setted the parameters related to the last procedure will be maintained.

-  FIVPT/PEAKF Wait : time required (minutes) by the pointing and focus checking procedures (these are usually conducted only by the Observatory staff)

- ONOFF Wait : time required for the observation (minutes)

- POSTOB : procedure to be executed at the end of the observation (usually implemented only by the Observatory staff) 

- POSTOB Wait : time required by the POSTOB procedure, default -2.

D) LAUNCH THE SCHEDULE

To launch the schedule :

acquire=<nomefile.ctl>