PFS Software Documentation - Release Notes


Location of this document: http://instruments.obs.carnegiescience.edu/SoftwarePFS/notes.html


Release Notes

v2.4, v2.3, v2.2, v2.1, v2.0
v1.7, v1.6, v1.5, v1.4, v1.3, v1.2, v1.1, v1.0


v2.4 (2023-04-27)
  • Added the item "Observer" to the Options menu. It allows to change the OBSERVER record in the FITS header without having to restart the GUI.

  • v2.3.8 (2022-06-27)
  • Keep the magnifier in the same position when changing the binning.
  • Changed the FITS record 'DATE-OBS' to show the full date and time
  • DATE-OBS= '2022-06-23T23:07:10'
  • Deployment target macOS 10.13 (HighSierra).
  • v2.3.7 (2019-12-20)
  • Preset the exposure type ("ExpType") to Object when using the PresetGUI button on the object list window.
  • v2.3.6 (2019-12-11)
  • Removed the "re-try" after a failed data transfer from the Archon.
  • There was not a single successful retry since adding that feature during the Oct/2019 run.
    v2.3.5 (2019-10-08)
  • More logging and increased timeout during data transfer (readout).
  • Oct/11: It appears the culprit for the data timeouts was a faulty cable/connector.
    Oct/15: The router appears to be switching between Gb/100Mb modes at random times.
    Oct/19: Juan Espoz found a broken CAT-5 cable between platform (port 44) and the router in the equipment room. The broken wire causes the connection to fall back to 100 Mb/s since Gb-ethernet utilizes all 4 wire pairs (100 Mb/s only uses 2 pairs).
    v2.3.4 (2019-09-13)
  • Set the paralactic angle as the rotator angle "nro" when sending telescope coordintes to the TCSIS.
  • v2.3.3 (2018-08-03)
  • Automatically set Time exposure mode when executing a calibration list.
  • v2.3.2 (2018-08-02)
  • Do not send coordinates to the TCS when using the "Preset" button.
  • Enable changing the Max.Exptime parameter in Counts mode during a running exposure.
  • v2.3.1 (2018-07-31)
  • Changed the default binning to "1x2" and speed to "Normal".
  • Added a "Reverse" order check box to the calibration list window.
  • Deselect all calibrations when a calibration list is loaded.
  • Added a "Send To TCS" button the the object list window.
  • The coordinates may be sent while the exposure loop is running.
    The "Preset" button updates the binning and readout speed (and sends the coordinates to the TCS -- removed in v2.3.2).
    v2.3 (2018-07-27)
  • Object List
  • The object list(s) (example) should be copied to /Users/Shared/Library/Application Support/PFS
  • Calibration List
  • The calibration list(s) (example) should be copied to /Users/Shared/Library/Application Support/PFS


    v2.2 (2018-06-26)
  • Write the PMT statistics to the file "pmtlog.txt" in the current (primary) data directory.
  •  File#    UT      counts background  exptime  center
      0092 19:03:59   1.900    0.030      1.0      0.50
      0092 19:04:00   2.110    0.030      2.1      1.06
      0092 19:04:01   1.889    0.030      3.1      1.56
      0092 19:04:02   1.916    0.030      4.1      2.06
    
  • Does not upload the entire timing script (.acf file) when changing the readout speed.
  • Just update the relevant timing parameters (SHPx,SHDx) and the bias offset (TAPLINEx) for each of the 8 output amplifiers.
    Removed the "please take a Snap" warning when changing the readout speed.


    v2.1.2 (2018-06-02)
  • Installed a test version that has 10 additional timing scripts (.acf files).
  • Speed Timing Script A_HIGH/LOW INT_HIGH/LOW
    Normal STA1600_100k.acf +7/-6 +4/-9
    Turbo STA1600_250k.acf +7/-6 +4/-9
    N7639 STA1600_100k7639.acf +7/-6 +3/-9
    T7639 STA1600_250k7639.acf +7/-6 +3/-9
    N7629 STA1600_100k7629.acf +7/-6 +2/-9
    T7629 STA1600_250k7629.acf +7/-6 +2/-9
    N6749 STA1600_100k6749.acf +6/-7 +4/-9
    T6749 STA1600_250k6749.acf +6/-7 +4/-9
    N6739 STA1600_100k6739.acf +6/-7 +3/-9
    T6739 STA1600_250k6739.acf +6/-7 +3/-9
    N6729 STA1600_100k6729.acf +6/-7 +2/-9
    T6729 STA1600_250k6729.acf +6/-7 +2/-9


    v2.1.1 (2018-05-21)
  • Changed the CCD temperature setpoint to -117 [C] (from -110).
  • v2.1 (2018-05-17)
  • Reduced the number of readout speeds from 4 to 2:
  • Normal (100 kHz, formerly "Fast")
    Turbo (250 kHz)
  • Added the .acf filename to the FITS header ("ACF").
  • Normal: "STA1600_100k.acf"
    Turbo: "STA1600_250k.acf"


    v2.0.4 (2018-04-04)
  • Disable the Pause button when using the PMT.
  • The shutter resets the PLC timer (gate time) making it impossible to pause an exposure.
    v2.0.3 (2018-04-03)
  • The "Getter" temperature sensor was moved to the "Cold Plate".
  • Updated the labels on the temperature graph, dewar status and LN2 warning.
  • Changed the label on the Stretch popup from cuts to manual.
  • Keep alive the TCP/IP connection to the PLC during paused exposures.
  • Note: removed in v2.0.4
    v2.0.2 (2018-03-29)
  • Added "REBOOT" and "WARMBOOT" buttons to the Archon Hardhat window.
  • The GUI will automatically close after these commands were sent.
  • Added a reason to the "invalid response" error message:
  • (short): response too short
    (id): message ID missing
    (LF): message not terminated
    That should help figuring out what's going on with the Archon controller.
  • Removed (temporarily) the requirement to enable engineering mode to open the Archon Hardhat.
  • v2.0.1 (2018-03-28)
  • The PFS-GUI starts up in "Window" mode (1:10560,2997:10560).
  • Moved the controls closer together and reduced the empty space between the controls and the window border on:
  • PFS-Camera, PFS-Status, Dewar-Status, QlTool.
  • Popup a warning to take a 'Snap'
  • when the first exposure after GUI startup is not a 'Snap'
  • after changing the readout speed
  • v2.0 (2018-02-07)
    The PFS CCD has been upgraded to a 10k array (10560x10560) from STA and the PFS-GUI has been ported to a native macOS (Cocoa) GUI.
    2018-02-04: Comissioning run at LCO
    2018-01-25: Engineering at LCO

    2017-11-16: Dewar shipped to LCO
    2017-09-11: Lab tests with the STA-10k array

    2016-06-07: Data simulator

    2015-08-26: PFS_Controller, PLCIO
    2015-08-21: FITS
    2015-07-30: ArchonIO, ArchonController
    2015-07-29: Started prototyping: CameraController



    X11 GUI

    v1.7.8 (2017-03-31)
  • Fine tuned the Meta temperature controller.
  • v1.7.7 (2017-03-07)
  • Fine tuned the Meta temperature controller.
  • v1.7.6 (2016-12-12)
  • Fine tuned the Meta temperature controller.
  • v1.7.5 (2016-08-10)
  • Fine tuned the Meta temperature controller.
  • v1.7.4 (2016-06-16)
  • Improved background photon calculation.
  • Use a larger time constant for the leaky memory and limit the contribution of the latest measurement.
    v1.7.3 (2016-06-11)
  • Set the neutral duty cycle to 0.3 (was 0.5).
  • v1.7.2 (2016-05-26)
  • Added a "bank" to the LN2-filling compensation to store excess correction duty cycle to be applied later.
  • v1.7.1 (2016-05-20)
  • Moved the dewar LN2-filling compensation from the glycol to the air-heater.
  • v1.7 (2016-05-06)
  • Added an air heater (2 resistor pairs) and a fan to the Meta temperature controller.

  • v1.6.4 (2016-04-07)
  • Delay the next background photon count for 5 seconds after each exposure.
  • v1.6.1-1.6.3 (2015-06-19..2015-12-07)
  • Fine tuned the Meta-Controller.
  • v1.6 (2015-03-10)
  • Intercept Window Close events from the Window Manager (CXTLib-v4.070).
  • 64-bit executable.

  • v1.5.8 (2015-02-02)
  • If the iodine temperature is below 50 [C]:
  • The color of the iodine temperature display changes to blue.
    Display the warning "iodine temperature too low" in the message window.
    v1.5.7 (2015-02-01)
  • The color of the iodine temperature display changes to red if the iodine temperature is below 50 [C].
  • v1.5.6 (2014-12-15)
  • Removed the gunk factor.
  • The in-line filter was cleaned in early December.
    v1.5.5 (2014-07-24)
  • Display a warning if the GUI is started with the telescope offline.
  • Fine tune the F-PID parameters and the PMT- and DHT terms.
  • Add correction for lower glycol flow (gunk factor).
    v1.5.1-1.5.4
  • Fine tune the F-PID parameters and the PMT- and DHT terms.
  • v1.5 (2013-07-22)
  • 64-bit compatible

  • v1.4.1-1.4.3

  • Addition of a heater resistor to balance the PMT (Summer 2012)
  • The Meta controller runs with full F-PID.
  • Various experiments and tests to determine the best control parameters.
  • v1.4 (2012-08-06)

  • The TDI modes have been disabled and the CCD actuator unplugged.
  • A new Counts mode has been implemented in the 'pfsgui'.
  • It keeps track of the current counts at the GUI level, instead of utilizing the PLC/Coprocessor for this task. This change allows to increase or decrease the target counts during an exposure.
  • The Counts mode has now a minimum exposure time that will be enforced even if the target counts have been reached.
  • This is in addition to the existing maximum exposure time introduced in v1.1. These values are displayed in the (disabled) ExpTime edit window while the instrument is in Counts mode.
  • Added sounds to the 'exposure done' and 'shutter closed' events.
  • The menu 'Options-Sounds' allows to customize its behaviour:
  • The Meta temperature controller is still running without the PID loop.
  • It just applies the F term, derived mainly from the outside air temperature.
    The table temperature warning limits have been loosened because the temperature Meta controller effectively warms up sensor #1 (PMT nearby) and cools down sensor #3 (stronger coupling to the outside) to maintain the average table temperature.


    v1.3 (2012-06-06)

  • Meta temperature control (experimental)
  • Currently running with an F-term only (no PID closed loop).
    Running the full PID loop will require a resistor with the same heat output as the PMT. This should stabilize the thermal load while the PMT is off.


    v1.2f (2012-01-10)
  • Communication port with the TCS computer changed.
  • v1.2e (2011-01-25)
  • Do not reset the 'Loops' edit window to '1' after each exposure loop.
  • v1.2 (2010-08-30)
  • New photo multiplier (PMT)
  • The new PMT is read via a digital counter directly by the PLC; ie. no serial communication via the PLC-coprocessor.


    v1.1 (2010-08-13)

  • Updated readnoise and gain values in the FITS header.
  •   SPEED    ENOISE    EGAIN
      -----    ------    -----
      Slow     4.07      0.60
      Fast     5.17      1.12
      Turbo    7.13      2.00
    
  • Both lamps now behave the same:
  •   move mirror in
      loop {
        turn lamp on
        expose
        turn lamp off
        if (last exposure in loop) then move mirror out
        readout
      }
    
  • In Counts mode the number of requested counts can be lowered during the exposure.
  • The maximum exposure time in Counts mode can be set in the menu 'Options->Max.Exptime'.
  • Setting the value to '0' disables this feature.


    v1.0 (2010-05-21)

  • Added photon plots (background & target).

  • 2008-04-28, Christoph C. Birk, Carnegie Observatories