CCDS and TIFKAM Data Taking Startup Procedure

2005 August 17

Important Change - Read This First!

In August 2005, we removed the WC computer from the OSU data-taking system, and brought MDM up to OSU's current standard Linux system. This involves only one old DOS computer (the IC), which should eliminate most of the startup synchronization problems of the past. It does, however, require new startup procedures, so read the following carefully.

Note

The startup procedures are identical for the 1.3m and 2.4m telescopes. At the 2.4m, the Linux workstation is named "hiltner", while at the 1.3m it is "mcgraw". We will generically refer to either as the "Linux Workstation" below.

Cabling

Before starting up the data taking software for TIFKAM or CCDS, be certain that the SCSI disk enclosure is connected to both the IC and the Linux workstation is connected, and the disk enclosure powered on. In general, the SCSI disk enclosure should always be connected and powered on.

System Power-Up

  1. Make sure the SCSI disk enclosure is connected to both the Linux Workstation and the IC and powered on.

  2. Make sure that the instrument is powered on and connected to the IC via the fiber optic cables.

  3. Power up the IC, and allow it to boot to the instrument selection prompt (CCDS or TIFKAM). Please wait to make your selection.

  4. After the IC boots, reboot the Linux workstation.

Starting the software

The IC will prompt you for the instrument you want to use. At the prompt "Select TIFKAM or CCDS (T/C):" on the VGA screen, go to the IC keyboard in the computer room and press T for Tifkam or C for CCDS.

At this point the software will try to initialize all the instrument components. The monochrome screen of the IC has a line of status "lights" to indicate the status of each piece of the acquisition system. Make sure it can see the HE (Head Electronics), Sequencer, and IE (Instrument Electronics) systems. If there are problems with the optical fiber connections between the IC and the Head Electronics, the sequencer start will fail, and the IC monitor screen will show -SEQUENCER and -HE flags. Correct this before proceeding (check lights on fibers, look for dirt or lint, proper seating of the connectors, etc.).

On the Linux workstation, login as "obs24m", and once the IC is up and running (above), start the following programs in order from the main desktop (left-hand mouse button click on the desktop), "Telescope Control" menu:

  1. xtcs program
  2. xmis program
Initialize both, and wait until both are ready before proceeding.

Then start the OSU data-taking system programs using the main desktop "Data Acquisition" menu, in this order.

Wait for each program to full start before starting the next in the sequence!
  1. ISIS Server - watch for the IC and IE to acknowledge pings.
  2. MDMTCS Agent - type "tcinit" then "tcstatus" and verify that it is communicating with the xtcs and xmis, and reporting correct data.
  3. Caliban - watch for disk synchronization with the IC.
  4. Prospero
In the Prospero window, type "STARTUP" and verify that the instrument is connected and operating.
Updated: 2005 August 17 [rwp/osu]