Station Software Terminology
In order to understand the tracking station
software guide, a few terms must be defined.
Terms
- Realtime
- Software running during tracking pass, controlling antenna
and hardware configuration. Main realtime computer is "phobos",
which queries all hardware on MCB, plus GPS, UPS, Maser transmitter,
and decoder.
- Offline
- Software which runs before and after a tracking pass, filtering
station inputs and outputs.
- Schedule
- Description of required times for tracking satellites.
- Commands
- Specific commands to station hardware in order to meet external schedule.
- VLBA Code
- Station operator interface code and low level software for control
of VLBA compatible hardware devices.
- MCB
- Monitor and Control Bus, which is the methode by which most
of the station hardware modules are commanded and monitored. (VLBA
and GBT use same type of bus).
- Firmware
- Almost every station hardware module contains one or more embeded
processors. The firmware for these modules is described elsewhere.
Return to the station software guide.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory
(NRAO)
is a facillity of the
National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by
Associated Universities, Inc.
glangsto@nrao.edu Last update: 97 June 26