wiki:DataTakingMainPage

Version 34 (modified by mknoetig, 11 years ago) ( diff )

--

Data Taking Procedure - Main Page

Remarks

  • This is just a short introduction/summary for doing a shift. For more informations (and for becoming an expert) follow the links!!
  • There are always changes to the system. Therefore please check this pages and the ​shift forum regularly.
  • The system is being automatized more and more, but this doesn't mean that there is nothing to do anymore. Monitoring the system is very important.

Datataking Check List

DataTakingCheckList: Check List for a whole shift. Be aware that you have to read the following points also, not only the Check list!

Preparation

Preparation before going on shift:

Preparation before nightly shift

  • read ALL ​logbook and ​shift forum entries
  • start well in advance so that you still have time to contact the experts in case of problems or questions

Startup

  1. open Smartfact
  2. open the gtc-skycamera image and the weather station of Magic (see ​https://fact-project.org/). Also very helpful is the ING infrared skycam: ​http://catserver.ing.iac.es/weather/archive/concam/index.php
  3. open a ssh-connection to newdaq to submit scripts
  4. open the page ​http://www.fact-project.org/showlog/index.php (for checking the logfiles)
  5. ​Introduction for a VPN session gives a helpful introduction for a VPN session to La Palma
  6. connect to the screen session on newdaq. See ScreenSessionHelpfulCommands for a list of helpful commands for screen sessions
  7. open VNC-session :04 on gui and VNC-session :02 on aux
    • start GUI (if not already running): ~/operations/factGL
  8. start the Shiftsummary in the logbook:

Logbook - Shift summary

The shift summary (first entry) has to contain the following information:

  • contact details
  • planned schedule
  • achieved schedule
  • problems
  • ORM alerts

See Template for Shift Summary

  1. plan the schedule:

Schedule

  • fill the schedule according to the thread "observations (month JJJJ)" in the ​shift forum
  • use the ​visibility and current prediction plots to plan the sources to observe
  • for finding a good position for a ratescan, you can use software planetariums like stellarium or KStars
    • good position for a ratescan: zd < 10°, no bright star in the field of view
  • edit ~/operation/scripts/schedule.js
    • you can find the formate of the schedule in the ScheduleTemplate
    • don't forget to change the date of the observation tasks
    • you can add several task to one observation, for example a ratescan following by normal datataking
    • if you specify the coordinate, notice: ra is in decimal hours and dec in decimal degree

Remark: When there is not first-drs-calib until the start of astronomical twilight, please skip it (i.e. the single pe run), as data taking has first priority.

  1. start dimctrl client in any terminal: /home/fact/operation/dimctrl
    • Power Drive:
      • PWR_CONTROL/TOGGLE_DRIVE
    • unlock Drive:
      • DRIVE_CONTROL/UNLOCK
    • stop dimctrl: .q
  2. insert schedule to database: in /home/fact/operation : dimctrl --quit --cmd ".js scripts/updateSchedule.js"
  3. Start TPoint-camera
    • visit the page 10.0.100.230 from the La Palma Network
    • Login and start the TPoint Camera
  4. Check status of the Telescope in the TPoint Camera and the ​IR Camera
  5. All other task of the startup are performed by the Main.js script (see first point of Datataking)

Datataking

  • start Datataking script from a bash with following command in ~/operation:
    • dimctrl --start scripts/Main.js
  • if you have to start a dim-script for yourself, call it with following command from a bash:
    • dimctrl --batch ScriptsForDimCtrl/<scriptname>.dim
  • Be aware of the DatatakingLimits
  • If you have to track manually (the script sends the tracking commands, so the manually tracking is not needed normally), have a look at the CurrentPointingPositions
  • To control the hardware remotely, please have a look at RemoteControlHardware
  • For details of the different procedures of the datataking, see the DatatakingProcedures
    • be aware that all steps mentioned there are currently proceeded by the scripts and it is not needed to perform them manually.
  • You can find the list of the taken runs at: ​https://www.fact-project.org/smartfact/#observations
  • Monitor the ​ QLA-website and give an alert in case of high excess rates
  • don't forget to write the corresponding logbook entries and the comments in the run-comment DB:

Logbook - Datataking entries

General remarks:

  • Datataking has first priority, so first solve an occuring problem, then write the logbook entries
  • please fill the logbook as soon as possible (so first Problem solving, then immediatly logbook entries), so that the timestamp of the entries are correct
  • make a single entry for every measurement you do (one entry for every source, for every technical measurement ...)
  • insert following informations
    • weather: skybrightness, clouds, calima, ... i.e. any information that cannot be retrieved from the auxiliary files
    • please report also mistakes or missing information in the manuals so that they can be fixed/added
  • if a problem occurs, please write down following:
    • what happens, please do not only post the error message, but also some lines above
    • what you did, to solve the problem
    • how log you need to solve the problem

TemplateNormalDatatakingSet

TemplateQuotingLogFiles

Run comment DB - Entries

  • problems / information for single runs have to be inserted in the ​run-comment DB
    • these are for example:
    • fad losses
    • tracking stops
    • car flash

Trouble Shooting

  • never stop a not hanging program with ctrl+c
    • when a restart of the program is really necessary use .q instead
    • restarting a program is in most cases not a solution and only increase the risk to trigger more problems. So avoid restarting programs as long as possible
  • TroubleShooting

Most common problems:

Shutdown

  1. After the shutdown task in the schedule was proceeded you have to do the the following task to finish the shutdown:
  2. stop datataking script with following command from a bash:
    • dimctrl --stop
  3. make sure that
    • no script is running
    • the bias is off
    • the trigger is off
    • the lid is closed
      • check TPoint Camera
      • stop TPoint Camera after check (via the page 10.0.100.230 from the internal network)
    • the telescope is parked
    • biasctrl disconnected
    • all logbook entries are finished
  4. stop the drive by:
    • in dimctrl: PWR_CONTROL/TOGGLE_DRIVE

If you have to shutdown the hardware on the island, please look at HardwareManuallyShutdown

Note: See TracWiki for help on using the wiki.