VEGAS Team Meeting

Attendees: Amanda, Ray, Paul, Jason, Richard, Jack, Anish, Marty, Dan, John.

Agenda:

1. fpga timing parameters / ripples observed in modes 1 - 3
   1. testing plans to be discussed below
2. ADC calibration - overall plans
   1. adc-fpga timing python start up code
3. Plans for testing for this week.(time available Tuesday / Thursday)
   1. two hours for observer training
   2. LO1 blanking times
   3. hpc code which should fix the integat issues
   4. mixed mode operation
   5. retrying "mode 19" test
   6. Jens Kauffman's scripts -- variation on RAMPS configuration -- he's also in GB this week, so we probably want to show him the VEGAS data monitor
   7. mode 1-3 ripple tests -- I'd really like to see if this works.
   8. testing scripts for Dave Hogg and Ron Allen's visit on May 19th. I have drafts that I'm iterating with them. Thursday would probably be best.
   9. testing scripts for Dana Balser / Tom Bania
   10. attempt to produce NaNs in FITS data
   11. update VEGAS Bank Manager
4. Status of shared-risk astronomical observations: https://safe.nrao.edu/wiki/bin/view/CICADA/CICADAGreenBankSpectrometerAstronomicalObservations
5. Status of other “current issues”: https://safe.nrao.edu/wiki/bin/view/CICADA/CICADAGreenBankSpectrometerCurrentIssues
6. DIBAS visitors next week - bof build issues
7. Project Closeout Meeting

Meeting notes:

1. fpga timing parameters / ripples observed in modes 1 - 3
   1. testing plans to be discussed below

Jack described how the ADC timing calibration works, and we discussed this at length. However, if the ramp test works, then there is no need to perform this detailed calibration. Mode 1-3 ripple has not been measured since the ssg_period / acclen fix was released. So, we should check the mode ripple first, and do the ADC ramp test at the same time if ripple is seen. Only then will we need to worry about timing calibration.

Next mode 1 observations are June 6th.

Paul, Jack, Dan, Jason, to finish related discussions offline.

1. ADC calibration - overall plans
   1. adc-fpga timing python start up code

Subsumed into above topic.

1. Plans for testing for this week.(time available Tuesday / Thursday)
   1. two hours for observer training - Thursday 12:00 - 14:00
   2. LO1 blanking times - low priority - not needed for current LO1
   3. hpc code which should fix the integat issues - Tuesday - 9:00 - 16:30 in parallel with Ray
   4. mixed mode operation - later
   5. retrying "mode 19" test - later (needs other fixes)
   6. Jens Kauffman's scripts -- variation on RAMPS configuration -- he's also in GB this week, so we probably want to show him the VEGAS data monitor - Thursday
   7. mode 1-3 ripple tests - 8:00 - 9:00am Amanda, Jason, Paul
   8. testing scripts for Dave Hogg and Ron Allen's visit on May 19th. - Thursday
   9. testing scripts for Dana Balser / Tom Bania -low priority
   10. attempt to produce NaNs in FITS data - low priority
   11. update VEGAS Bank Manager 9:00 - 16:30 in parallel with Joe

1. Status of "missing channels" problem.
   1. Amanda will check old Mode 4 data, and other data acquired will performing Dave and Ron test observations.
   2. Can we look as data before it gets into the HPC - Dan to ask Jayanth to check. RMP to email Dan to remind him.

1. Status of shared-risk astronomical observations: https://safe.nrao.edu/wiki/bin/view/CICADA/CICADAGreenBankSpectrometerAstronomicalObservations
2. Status of other “current issues”: https://safe.nrao.edu/wiki/bin/view/CICADA/CICADAGreenBankSpectrometerCurrentIssues
3. DIBAS visitors next week - bof build issues
4. Project Closeout Meeting
   • Wednesday, May 14 at 10:00am PDT/1:00pm EDT
   • List of questions to be answered circulated with meeting request. Also here.
   • If you have any connect/logistics questions please email mbloss@nrao.edu

Other

1. Please make sure to properly code your timesheets for the current time period and going forward.
   • Software engineers should be using a GBT ops software CM&E account - Account 893252
   • Electronic engineers should be using a GBT ops electronics CM&E account - Account 432510
   • Commissioning activities should be getting charged to hardware support and testing - Account 432510
   • Scientists assisting with shared-risk commissioning should be charging an observer support account
     • 432540 for the most part. Accounts 142020 (GB-based staff) and 142010 (CV-based staff) for when you are helping with overarching observing support (not problem solving, VEGAS specific)

-- MartyBloss - 2014-05-09