IMACS Software Documentation - Release Notes

Location of this document: http://instrumentation.obs.carnegiescience.edu/Software/IMACS/notes.html

v3.18 , v3.17 , v3.16 , v3.15 , v3.14 , v3.13 , v3.12 , v3.11 , v3.10 , v3.9 , v3.8 , v3.7 , v3.6 , v3.5 , v3.4 , v3.3 , v3.2 , v3.1 , v3.0
v2.8 , v2.7 , v2.6 , v2.5 , v2.4 , v2.3 , v2.2 , v2.1 , v2.0
v1.14 , v1.13 , v1.12

MechGUI
Allow initialization of the PR- and SH-guiders while ROSIE is installed.

CamGUI
Write a temporary copy of the FITS data to /tmp/imacs_cX.fits.: These files allow to recover lost files in the event of a disk disconnect, but will be over-written by the next exposure.

CamGUI
Optionally send the CCD temperature setpoints at startup (or Reset/DSP) to the 'imacserver/DSP'.: The GUI looks for the file '$IMACSINI/setpointsX.ini' , where 'X' is either '4' (f/4) or '2' (f/2).; The file should contain 8 lines, one for each setpoint.

MechGUI
Allow any IP number to connect to MechGUI via the TCP/IP interface.: GMAP is running on a different subnet than the IMACS software.

MechGUI
Display a warning dialog when a filter change is requested while an exposure is beeing read out.

CamGUI
Display a warning dialog when an exposure is started within 20 seconds of the last filter change.

SetupTool
Added the mask-type=ROSIE that may only be selected in position-5. It disables all other mask slots (similar to GISMO).: The effects on the GUI (restrictions) are the same as before (see v3.15).

Updated the restrictions when ROSIE is installed:: Disable the "MaskLoad" button.; Disable the CF-guider selector menu.
Fixed the "Reload" menu (Options) to properly update the SH-Guider radius forward limit (-8000).: This allows for a simpler ROSIE installation procedure (no GUI restart required):

CamGUI, TeleGUI
Added the dither command to the scripting language.: Moves the PR-guider box only; drags the telescope to follow the box.
MechGUI
When the "Rosie-IFU" is installed:: Disable the Mask selection menu. This is the visual hint that ROSIE is installed.; Disable the initialization of the mask mechanism and the PR-, SH- and CF-guiders.; Please note that while the guider and mask buttons are enabled (due to a limitation of my GUI toolkit), the guiders will not be initialized, even if they are selected.; Reduce the SH-radius software limit (forward) by 8000 counts.
SetupTool
Select the mask-type IFU (position 6) and add the word "ROSIE" (any capitalization) to the mask name.: This will trigger certain safety restrictions on the "MechGUI".; Please note that the type/name of any other position is irrelevant and will be ignored.; Warning: The restrictions triggered by ROSIE apply to the "MechGUI" only. "EngGUI" and the "XXtest" GUIs ignore ROSIE.

CamGUI
Fixed the exposure time (was changing to '1') when selecting subraster mode while in BIAS readout mode.

CamGUI
Added the "exptime" command to the scripting feature.
MechGUI
Open a warning dialog box when the piezo control appears to be stuck.
Reduced the size of the 'piezoF_YYYY_WW.log' files.
Other
Send additional emails to 'maginst' when the setuptool finds an inconsistency, eg.: the filter type (or focus offset) is different in the .set file (eg. sfilters.set) and the .ini file (eg. sfmaster.ini).; These emails were previously only sent to the email address defined by the environment variable IMACSGURU (default: birk@carnegiescience.edu).
Stop emailing the weekly logfile to IMACSGURU.

CamGUI
Introduced the experimental MultiShuffle exposure type.

CamGUI
Fixed opening a dialog only when the guider does not lock onto the guide star after a dither step.

CamGUI
Open a dialog when the guider does not lock onto the guide star after a dither step.: The user may then re-acquire the guide star manually and continue or abort the script.
Added case in-sensitive comparison with "pinholes" as the mask name for the pinhole analysis.
Updated the DATE-OBS record in the FITS header: eg.: DATE-OBS= '2021-09-24T22:36:24'

MechGUI
Preset the I-term of the piezo servo loop to the current voltage at startup.

MechGUI
Raised the PI control gain of the f/4 piezo back to where it was before 2019-12-04.

MechGUI
Automatically close/re-open the connection to the piezo controller when there is a timeout.

MechGUI
Reduced the PI control gain of the f/4 piezo servo loop.
Added more logging when there are communication issues with the piezo controller.

MechGUI

Added "Piezo" to the "Initialize" dialog box.

v3.11.2When selected, this item does:

Stop the piezo servo loop
Close the connection to the piezo controller (serial/Lantronix)
Open the connection to the piezo controller
Start the piezo servo loop

Note: The "Piezo" does not need to be initialized when the IMACS GUI is started.

Disabled the "L05" controls on the hardhat window.

MechGUI
KB and TH swapped the Lemo cables between the f/2 and f/4 piezo controllers (inside the "Black ABS Box").: This required the following changes in the piezo control software:; swapped Lantronix ports (3004<-->3005) for the f/2 and f/4 code.; swapped PI-controller models and protocols (E515/XON<-->E516/CTS); updated the center position: f/4: {50,70}, f/2: {190,150}
Added logging of the piezo positions and voltages to the piezo control loop.

MechGUI
f/4: Set piezo center to 35,65 (was 50,50).

MechGUI
Flexure control Off at startup as default.: The status LED is gray (instead of yellow) when the flexure control is OFF.
Read the piezo position every minute; update the hardhat and write it to the logfile.
CamGUI
Changed to case in-sensitive comparison of the mask name (eg. PHs or PHS) for the pinhole analysis.

QlTool
Fixed a bug in the scaling routine when all pixel values are '0'.

MechGUI
Reduce the time that a single device may block the serial port to the MC-PC from 10 to 4 seconds. Oscillations on the theta axis of the guiders occasionally block the filter focus control.
: Oscillations on the theta axis of the guiders occasionally block the filter focus control.

CamGUI
Analyze pinhole images:: Any full-frame, 1x1 binned exposure that is taken while the "PHs" (pinholes) mask is inserted, will be automatically analyzed.; The result will be appended to the logfile an printed onto the Messages window:; "focus inside outside LL UL UR LR"
Example: ("grep pinholes imacsYYYY_WW.log")
pinholes tool for "offline" analysis of older pinhole files.: The pinholes tool does the same calculations as the CamGUI.; For regular focus sequences, please use the built-in "CamGUI" version.

MechGUI (v3.9b)
Additional logging of the focus control loop.: It appears that the focus control loop is sometimes started multiple times ... no evidence found.

QlTool
Prevent loading a FITS file (from disk) during exposure readout.: The simultaneous writing to the QlTool image buffer from two processes causes the QlTool to crash.

CamGUI
Removed the Slow readout speed and renamed the Snail speed to Slow.
Modified the SUBRASTER keyword in the FITS heater to indicate the actual subraster geometry even if the full ('0' padded) frame is saved.: SUBRASTR='[x1:x2,y1:y2]'
MechGUI
Fixed the flexure control routine if the flex*.tab file is empty.
TeleGUI
Added access to the Gaia catalog.

CamGUI
Allow to change the observer name from the Options menu.

CamGUI / imacserver:
Allow dewar swap (Mosaic3 --> f/2): Use the setuptool to assign the Mosaic3 dewar to the f/2 focus (keep the CCD host assignments as they were).
CamGUI / MechGUI:
Use UT in logfiles (was local time).

MechGUI: GISMO
Fixed a bug in the GISMO initialization routine.: The first initialization fails at the start (when the brake opens), the second initialization works.

MechGUI: GISMO
Changed the initialization routine for GISMO. ... failed: Thanks to Pato J. and Mauricio M. for investigating a procedure that prevents GISMO from dropping during initialization when operated against gravity
CamGUI:
Raised the temperature warning level to -155 for T1 (CryoT) for both (Mosaic2/3) dewars to avoid CCD temperature warnings by the GUI.

MechGUI: GISMO
"Freeze" the Linmot controller while the brake is on.
Sample the GISMO position before the brake is turned on (was after).
CamGUI:
Updated the CCD temperature warning levels to correspond to the setpoints installed by the .s files on July/7th.

Installed (by Konstantina B.) updated (by Jorge E.) imacs2.s file with new temperature setpoints:: CryoT -166
Platen -108
Chip-3 -100
Platen -108
Platen -108
CryoT -166
Platen -109
Chip-8 -100
Installed (by Konstantina B.) updated (by Jorge E.) imacs3.s file with new temperature setpoints:: CryoT -170
Platen -116
Chip-3 -100
Platen -113
Platen -118
CryoT -174
Platen -112
Chip-8 -100

TeleGUI: Added an object list window to the TeleGUI: The file format is identical to the FourStar object list; The name will be sent to the CamGUI (Object edit field) when the Send button is pressed on the TeleGUI.
MechGUI: GISMO
5 second delay between turning ON the current and opening the brake (was 0.2)
5 second delay between closing the brake and turning OFF the current (was 1.0)

Installed an updated imacs3.s file with new temperature setpoints:: CryoT -170
Platen -115
Chip-3 -97
Platen -112
Platen -115
CryoT -165
Platen -112
Chip-8 -97

CamGUI:
Added controls to edit the DSP temperature setpoints to the Dewar Status window.: Please note that the setpoint edits are only enabled when the TC-Loop is off.; To activate the new setpoints please turn-ON the TC-Loop.

CamGUI:
Added a control to switch the DSP temperature control loop to the Dewar Status window.

CamGUI:
Added the readout times to the Speed popup button and updated the readnoise values.
Disabled the "Turbo" speed (except for Snap exposures).
Removed the RunScript entry from the Modules drop-down menu.
Removed the (unused/disabled) Focus entry from the CreateScript pop-up menu.
MechGUI:
Disabled the warning when the DSP voltage is low.: IMACS currently does not use the internal DSP power supplies.
Scripting is enabled by default. It is not necessary to 'touch .imacs_use_script' anymore.
SetupTool:

Verify that the $IMACSINI path is writable.

This is necessary once the IMACS-GUIs are run from an obsX accounts instead of the imacs account.

TeleGUI:

Fixed the Guider Probe selector menu update in MacOS-X.
SetupTool:
Verify that the $IMACSINI path is writable.: This is necessary once the IMACS-GUIs are run from an obsX accounts instead of the imacs account.
TeleGUI:
Fixed the Guider Probe selector menu update in MacOS-X.

MechGUI:
Added the menu entry Options-Reload.: It reloads the filters, dispersers and masks after the setuptool has been run and removes the necessity to restart the entire IMACS software suite after a setup change.
Other:
Open the Messages window at startup.

MechGUI:: Fixed some 64-bit issues by changing all encoder and motor-pulse counters from type (long) to (int).; Added more logging to the mask-server control software.

CamGUI:
Fixed the Guider and N (# dither steps) menu updates in MacOS-X.
TeleGUI:
Wait for the PR-guider to lock onto the guide star ("gdrlockw") after each dither move.

Dither scripts: Running dither scripts requires that the TeleGUI is running (green check mark on AutoStart button).; Note: If used, place the PR-guide star in the center of the PR-guider FOV.; Note: If used, place the SH-guide star close to the centerline of the SH-guider accessible range ("banana").; Scripting is enabled by default (CamGUI). It is not necessary to 'touch .imacs_use_script' anymore.
Intercept Window Close events from the Window Manager (CXTLib-v4.070).
Updated the link to the Software Documentation ("Help" menu).
64-bit executables.

MechGUI:: Require 3 out of 4 disperser clamps.; This requirement had been relaxed (2/4) since 2014-04-11 due to a shortage spare of sensors.

CamGUI:
Auto-Load the subraster definition after using the Load button (removed the File button).: The file-selector box will open the directory of the previously loaded subraster file.
Display a warning if the GUI is started with the telescope offline.

CamGUI:
Added the FITS keyword TIME-OBS (HH:MM:SS.s)

MechGUI:
Added extended logging to the detector focus motor control.

MechGUI:
Send the "gpceds" command directly to the TCSIS (do not use the 'gpceds.csh' script).

CamGUI:
Added the warning "Long exposure without disperser" to the CamGUI if: the mask is neither "Imaging" nor "SlitView" and; the disperser name is "Imaging" and; the exposure time is more than 5 minutes.; Changed text, font size and window geometry of the Exposure Progress window.

CamGUI:
Added G-SEEING record to the FITS header. It is the average guider camera seeing during the exposure.

CamGUI:
Require only 1 cryo-head temperature sensor for the ion-pump Auto mode.

TeleGUI

CamGUI
Readnoise estimator:: The CamGUI automatically estimates the readnoise by analyzing the overscan and biasline regions.; The results are written to the logfile (grep for 'readnoise').
Snail readout speed (CDST=400).

CamGUI-f/2 and -f/4: adjusted CCD-temperature limits.

CamGUI-f/2 and -f/4: raised the expected temperature for sensor #6 to -155 (was -165).

CamGUI-f/4 (Mosaic-3 dewar) ignores CCD temperature sensor #8.

Fixed MMTF {remote,local} menu update in the hardhat window (MacOS-X).

Changed the communication port with the TCS. This allows the TCS software to distinguish requests from each rotator port.

Mosaic/3 dewar
ccd07,ccd08 Computers (new DSP files): imacs1.s: Mosaic/1 (SITe arrays, was imacs_site.s) imacs2.s: Mosaic/2 (E2V arrays, was imacs_e2v.s) imacs3.s: Mosaic/3 (E2V arrays): imacs1.s: Mosaic/1 (SITe arrays, was imacs_site.s); imacs2.s: Mosaic/2 (E2V arrays, was imacs_e2v.s); imacs3.s: Mosaic/3 (E2V arrays)
Absolute Focus Encoder (f/4-LVDT: imacsets16r:3002): updated df1_select.int and new df3_encoder.ini (./ini/)
Ion-Pump: Omega controller programming (f/4: imacsets16r:3006) [CN7500 manual]; Chapter 3: 0-10 V analog input range (Omega-A and Omega-B); Chapter 8: alarm output (Omega-A), mode=5 (lo=1.5 V, hi=9.5 V)
updated ets_setup.txt
MechGUI:
Manual release/acquire the CS100 etalon controller from the HardHat window.
MechGUI & GamGUI:
New 'Menu:Options-Sounds' feature:: Spoken text: enter a phrase enclosed in quotes, eg. "shutter closed"; Sound file: enter a sound file from the ~IMACS/Sounds directory
Replaced 'PlayAudioFileLite' by 'afplay' on MacOS-X.

v2.8.2 (2011-02-11)

dcheck: (dewar status check tool)

The tool can be run by typing 'imacs dcheck' in an xterm. It allows checking the dewar status without starting the 'CamGUI's. The output should look like this:

              f/4-Dewar             f/2-Dewar
    Chip-1:    -115.0      CryoT:    -152.9
    Chip-2:    -110.0     Platen:    -105.0
    Chip-3:    -109.1     Chip-3:     -95.4
    Chip-4:    -107.6     Platen:    -103.0
    Chip-5:    -109.7     Platen:    -104.9
    Chip-6:    -115.0      CryoT:    -158.1
    Chip-7:    -108.3     Platen:    -102.8
    Chip-8:    -110.8     Chip-8:     -97.5
 VacSensor:   0.00e+00             0.00e+00
 IonSensor:      n/a               6.53e-07
   IonPump:      n/a                  Auto

Note: An exclamation mark (!) behind a values indicates beeing out of the recommended range.

v2.8.1 (2010-08-25 .. not installed)

v2.8 (2010-06-24)

MechGUI:
The piezo control loop was implemented in the IMACS software, avoiding oscillation problems with the internal control loop of the PI stage.

v2.7.2 (2010-08-09)

CamGUI:
Scripting bugfix: disappearing #loops in etalon-scripts caused by scan-mode interaction.
MechGUI:
Added 'OK' message when the flexure control recovers.

v2.7.1 (2010-06-10)

CamGUI:
Subraster bugfix caused by scan-mode interaction.

v2.7 (2010-05-17)

CamGUI:
Scan readout mode allows to take a (large) number of data lines with very short exposure times.
MechGUI:
The 'MechGUI' allows to set a focus offset from the Options menu. This value is added to the current focus control loop target.

SetupTool:
The 'setuptool' now ckecks for duplicates and inconsistent filter types when the filter-setup is updated.
MechGUI:
The flexure control is turned on at startup.
The disperser-server automatically moves the grating to the maximum tilt angle when a grating is moved to the service position.
Black ABS-Box (for details please check with Alan Bagish):
GP-375 (vacuum gauges) replaced with RS232 models.
RS422/RS232 converters removed.
+-15V power supply exchanged.
various adapters (eg. RJ45/DB9) removed/replaced.
Here is the new Lantronix layout.

v2.5 (2009-06-25)

SetupTool:
The temporary workaround for the missing SlitView mask has been removed, ie. the SlitView mask is available again.
CamGUI:
Two new FITS header keywords (hour-angle) were added:: This required the extension of the FITS header from 3 blocks to 4 blocks (108 to 144 lines).
I fixed bug than can cause a 'file open failed' error (eg. Magellan1 Telescope Report, 2009-Jun-21) when the comment line in the CamGUI becomes too long.

v2.4 (2009-05-05)

SetupTool:
The temporary workaround for the missing SlitView mask has been re-instated.
The new design of the filter setup GUI uses filter master files (lfmaster.ini, sfmaster.ini) that allow the instrument specialist to select existing filters from a menu instead of editing the names and offset values by hand. This should reduce the likelyhood of human error when adding known filters to the IMACS setup and discourages re-measuring of these (known) filters.: Adding a new filter to the filter master file requires a 3 step process that is explained here.

v2.3 (2009-03-24)

SetupTool:
The temporary workaround for the missing SlitView mask has been removed. The setuptool program again includes both mask slot-7 (SlitView) and slot-8 (f/4-Imaging) into the ./ini/masks.set file.: Note: re-instated in v2.4.
MechGUI:
Write a message to the Message-Window when certain hardware (eg. inside the Black-ABS-Box) does not communicate at startup, before the GUI terminates. These messages were previously only sent to the xterm.
Increase the number of hunting moves (from 5 to 9) for the disperser server in an attempt to reduce the number of "position not reached" errors.
More detailed logfile output for the mask-server.
Other:
Added the year to the logfile name, eg. imacs2009_13.log for week #13 of the year 2009.

v2.2 (2008-12-02)

Imacserver:
Check the silicon serial number (DS2401) to verify the dewar/ccdXX computer assignment. This should avoid the accidental upload of the wrong DSP code (the voltages supplied to the SITE- and E2V-chip are different).
CamGUI:
IMACS now allows for binning-numbers of 1 through 8. Note that QlTool cannot display images with binnings that are not a power-of-2.
MechGUI:
The software counts the number of in-tray sensors plus the in-focus sensor and compares it to the number of mask installed as defined by the Setuptool (masks.set).

v2.1.1 (2008-10-17)

MechGUI / Setuptool:
Temporarily remove the center field guider mask and move the f/4 imaging mask to slot-7.

v2.1 (2008-09-09)

CamGUI:
Add dewar number to logfile for temperatures and heaters, eg:
MechGUI/Hardhat:
Fix MMTF (etalon CS100 controller) release/init button
Use mask-clamp for all masks.

v2.0 (2008-03-31) [updated 2008-06-24]

Note: Please be extra vigilant while the Mosaic2 dewar is new. In particular check the DewarStatus window (CamGUI) at least daily to ensure the ion pump is running. If you find the ion pump off please contact Ian Thompson (ian AT obs DOT carnegiescience DOT edu) immediately.
Always use the Auto setting to turn-on the ion pump after you verified the proper conditions:

CryoT < -145

VacSensor < 1.2e-04

The Auto mode turns off the ion pump if either is true:

CryoT > -140

VacSensor > 1.8e-4

Instrument software

SetupTool has a new layout reflecting the fact that there are two dewars mounted simultaneously.
It is very important to assign the proper 'ccdXX' computer to each dewar because the CCD-arrays use different voltages, that may damage the other arrays. Each focus positions (f/4, f/2) has a fiber-optic cable connected to a ccdXX computer. Currently f/4 is connected to ccd07 and f/2 is connected to ccd08.
Startup Window has a new layout. The imacs startup-script has been updated.
MechGUI handles 2 dewars (focus/flexure) now.
The focus control and flexure controls are switched automatically to the current dewar as determined by the disperser.
The Hardhat window shows 2 flexure (piezo) controllers.
New Initialize Components window.
dftest has been updated (2 dewars, Mosaic2 dewar has an absolute encoder).
pztest has been updated (2 dewars).
omtest is a new test-GUI for the Omaga-controller (ion pump).
CamGUI has Mosaic1/2 (f/4=blue, f/2=red) versions.
New dewar status window and custom sounds.
QlTool (overview) window changes its background color to reflect the current dewar / focus / camera.
New .ini files dfX_select.ini and dfX_encoder.ini reflecting the new dewar focus mechanism and absolute encoder in the Mosaic2 dewar.

Hardware

A Lantronix TCP/IP-to-serial converter has been added to the black-ABS-box. ETS-16p & ETS-16r explains the setup and channel lists for both Lantronix converters.
The new dewar is equipped with an ion-pump (Varian 2/l ion-pump and MicroVac controller). The system uses two Omega controllers (CN7500) to automatically enable/disable the ion-pump depending on the output of the vacuum gauge (GP-375) and the feedback (pressure) from the ion-pump gauge.
There is a new E-516 piezo controller for the Mosiac/2 flexure control
Note: There were problems with oscillations by the (PI-internal) control loop that could not be fixed during the installation of Mosaic/2. It was decided that due to the small flexure of the f/2 system not to use this controller (internal servo-ON on at 100,100).
The piezo controller/1 (old) for the f/4 position requires to have the 'servo' switches in the OFF position.
The Mosaic-2 dewar has absolute focus encoding. It uses a LVDT and controller unit (EL-35). Therefore the home sensors and limit switches have been removed.
The mask-clamp limits the PR-guider max.theta to +18.6 deg.

ccdXX-Computers

update ccd06-09 to CXT-4.066
new ccdservd-1.07 (imacs_long,imacs_short) on ccd06,07,08,09
install IMACS-v2 at ccd06-09 (imacs_site.s, imacs_ev2.s)
new imacserver switches (-d/t)
warning about .s files (imacs_site.s, imacs_e2v.s) + dewar-names

v1.14 (2008-01-17)

Mask-Clamp:: A mask-clamp has been added to the slit-mask server. Once the mask is moved to the in-focus position the clamp closes and holds the mask in place (necessary for GISMO and the IFU). While the clamp is open it creates an interference with the principal guider (guider-1) when PG-theta is larger than 18.5 deg. The mask clamping is transparent to the user (unless the clamp fails, or there is a conflict with the PG-probe).; When a mask-insertion is attempted while the PG-probe in the way, the user will be prompted by a dialog-box asking to allow moving the PG-probe to a safe position.; Note: Since the mask-clamp (hardware) has been removed, the software does currently not recognize or use it. Once all mask-wings have holes cut (necessary for the clamp) the IMACS-software will have to be recompiled (#define USE_MC in mech.h).
Setuptool:: new filter-focus definition window (Setuptool)
L05 scale control:: The L05-scale control motors have been disabled; ie. the controller (top of the right-hand side electronics rack) turned off and a label "NOT IN USE" placed on the controller. This function had never been used and a failure to initialize these motors poses a significant risk to observations. The change is transparent to the user (astronomer).; When the IMACS-MechGUI starts, it brings up the L05 control in simulation mode. This way no other parts of the software had to be modified. (mechgui/HardHat, enggui, dctest)
CamGUI:: Binning: The new binning options are {1,2,3,4} (CamGUI); Options-Sounds menu (CamGUI); This new feature requires a) PlaySoundFileLite in $IMACSBIN and b) $IMACSOUNDS (defined in the imacs startup-script) pointing to a directory containing the sound-files.
QlTool:: The title bar of the Overview window shows the name of the loaded file (QlTool)
imacs startup script:: I made a few changes to /home/imacs/IMACS/imacs:; $IMACSBIN points to $IMACSHOME/bin (preferred, because it allows to re-compile without overwriting the current binaries); $IMACSLOG points to $IMACSHOME (optional, defaults to /tmp); $IMACSOUNDS points to $IMACSHOME/Sounds (optional, default is disabled, CamGUI)
ccdXX computers:: imacsserver-1.04 installed on ccd06..09: It is required for camgui-1.10 since it allows for binning={1,2,3,4} (imacserver); ccdservd-1.06 installed on ccd06..09: The new version is started at boot time by the /etc/rc.local script. (ccdservd)

October 2007:

GISMO/Linmot controller setup: gismo_linmot.txt.

gitest-v1.02 'gitest -l none' will ignore the Linmot controller but allow operating the (Acromag) brake.

August 2007:

The the PR/SH-guider problems were fixed by replacing/cleaning the encoder tape and re-aligning the encoder read-head (Tyson+AlanB).

Temperature sensor COLLT2 fixed (STR04 still broken)

v1.13 (2007-06-16)

L05-scale control (f/4):

I added an important note about the 'H-' button when using dctest.

How-to deal with a stuck L05-motor: dctest-troubleshooting.

GISMO: some comments / experiences during the 2nd run:

Excessive friction will prevent the LinMot linear motor from initializing the multi-slit mask.

I fixed a bug that caused the 'MechGUI' to crash when GISMO was added to the system (MaskLoad-button + setuptool) when MechGUI was already running.

At the beginning of an initialization of GISMO, the multi-slit mask may slide down hard in it's tracks when the brake opens after a power-cycle of the LinMot controller. This is un-avoidable because the LinMot controller starts up without applying power to the linear motor.

Please remember to initialize GISMO after is has been un-plugged and re-connected.

Never attempt to retract GISMO from it's inserted position while it is still clamped.

MMTF:

A new feature on the Hardhat area of 'MechGUI' allows to release/acquire control of the CS-100 controller.

Flexure:

I measured the flexure in the f/4 system: Here are some graphs without control and with the control-loop running.

The control-loop is still off by default.

Setup Files:

There is a new keyword called offset available for all _epos.ini files.

Other Notes:

The initialization of the 150-line grating (used with GISMO only) from MechGUI fails; it does not find the HOME-sensor. Strangely it appears to find HOME when using grtest.

For emergencies I recommend to follwing procedure:

exit MechGUI

startup grtest. Eg. 'imacs grtest x' , where 'x' is the motor-controller letter {a,b,c}

Initialize the grating by using the HOME button of the grtest GUI.

re-start 'MechGUI' (eg. from CamGUI's Modules menu), but do not initialize the gratings.

Many of the CCDs are too cold (-120 C)

Temperature sensors STR04 and COLLT2 are still broken.

T.Hare and C.Birk did some investigation into the occasional failure of the PR- and SH-guiders to move to their target position. Both encoder tapes have many scratches and it appeared that the guider-drive would do more hunting than around other areas.

The '3 times initialization' problem of the PR-guider may be caused by some interference with with forward limit switch. The PR-guider only requires 3 initialization attemps when it is 'above' the 'HOME' position. More tests are necessary to identify a permanent solution.

v1.12 (2007-05-06)

GISMO:: gitest: low level GISMO control; enggui: GISMO testing; mechgui: user level GISMO control; setuptool: GISMO mask definition
Setup Files:: gismo.set: defines GISMO sub-mask names; special chars: in mask/filter-names; backup: of .set files
Other Notes:: Temperature sensors STR04 and COLLT2 (hardhat window) are broken. Alan Bagish intends to fix them during a future visit.; Alan Bagish and Christoph Birk investigated the initialization problem of the PR-guider theta drive. Two spare motor controller boards were tried but they behaved identically. It appears that the controller receives bogous home-pulses that zero the encoder-counter but do not stop the home-search. We plan to replace the encoder read head, but we will have to do this during a future engineering run.

Christoph C. Birk, Carnegie Observatories