logo : check the execution on the monitor

Start the observations¶

$ : commands to insert in a shell

> : commands to insert in the operatorInput panel

Insert your project number

> project=[projectID] Fig.21
Initial setup

> antennaReset Fig.37

> setupKKG Fig.20 Fig.30
Select the active surface shape (Shaped configuration for K-band observations)

> asSetup=S Fig.4
Insert the Local Oscillator value in MHz

> setLO=[freq] Fig.20
Follow the link below to perform the pointing and focus optimization (if not already included in your schedule) :

Pointing and Focus optimization
Select and configure the SARDARA backend in K-band
> chooseBackend=Sardara Fig.21

$ genericBackendTui BACKENDS/Sardara

> initialize=[code]
with :

[code] = SK00S : central feed only and full Stokes observations ;

[code] = SK00 : central feed only and total intensity observations ;

[code] = SK77S : 7 feeds and full Stokes observations ;

[code] = SK77 : 7 feeds and total intensity observations ;

[code] = SK03S : feeds 0 and 3 only and full Stokes observations ;

[code] = SK03 : feeds 0 and 3 only and total intensity observations ;

[code] = SK06S : feeds 0 and 6 only and full Stokes observations ;

[code] = SK06 : feeds 0 and 6 only and total intensity observations.

Important note: the initialize command requires a few more seconds comapared to the other command in order to operate.

Set the different parameters of the backend:

> setSection=[sect],*,[bw],*,*,[sampleRate],[bin] Fig.14
with :
[sect] = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 in full Stokes observations ;

[sect] = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13 in total intensity observations ;

[bw] the bandwidth in MHz (420 or 1500) ;

[sampleRate] in MHz (840 for 420 MKz of bw or 3000 for 1500 MHz of bw) ;

[bin] the frequency channels (1024 or 16384).
Choose the integration time in ms (e.g. n=10 corresponds to 100 spectra/sec)

> integration=[n]
If you want to use the multi-feed derotator to prevent field rotation during long acquisition, select the derotator configuration :
> derotatorSetConfiguration=[config] with [config] = BSC, CUSTOM or FIXED.
BSC is for Best Coverage Space (automatic rotation of the dewar in order to best cover the scanned area).

CUSTOM : the user has to choose the angle of the dewar axis with the y-axis of the scanning frame that will be kept during the whole duration of the acquisition : > derotatorSetPosition=[ang]d with [ang] the dewar angle in degrees.

FIXED : the dewar keeps a fixed postion w.r.t the horizon, no rotation is applied. To specify a static angle : > derotatorSetPosition=[ang]d with [ang] the dewar angle in degrees.
Put the antenna at 45 deg of elevation before checking that the signal is in the linear range of the backend:

> goTo=*,45d Fig.15
Check that the getTpi command is working correctly before proceeding:

> getTpi

If getTpi=0,0 then there is a problem, you need to ask for help. If getTpi=(a few millions) then proceed.
Attenuate the signal based on the rms range [20;22] and check the value on the interface.

> getRms

> setAttenuation=[sect],[att] with [att] the attenuation from 0 to 15 dB. Fig.14

Important note 1: For the sections 0, 1, 2 and 3 (feeds 0 and 1), you have to set the attenuation accordingly to the values obtained with getRms. For the other sections the attenuation has to be set at 0 since the rms does not reach 22.

Important note 2: The feed 10 does not work, do not consider the related getRms and tsys values.
Check the tsys (typical values up to 100 K)

> tsys Fig.14
Report the ground temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, and wind speed :

> wx
Begin the schedule by indicating the start scan [N] or subscan [N_n] in the SCD file :

> startSchedule=[schedulename].scd,[N] Fig.21