IMACS Software Documentation - Release Notes

Location of this document: http://www.ociw.edu/~birk/IMACS/notes.html

v2.01 (September/9 2008)

CamGUI:: Add dewar number to logfile for temperatures and heaters, eg:
Dec 01 17:30:35 - CCDtemps1: -110.6 -109.5 -110.3 -109.3 -110.6 -112.7 -109.7 -110.9
Dec 01 17:31:16 - CCDtemps2: -155.8 -104.6 -95.6 -104.0 -105.6 -155.3 -102.5 -97.6
MechGUI/Hardhat:
Fix MMTF (etalon CS100 controller) release/init button
Use mask-clamp for all masks.; Dec 01 17:30:35 - CCDtemps1: -110.6 -109.5 -110.3 -109.3 -110.6 -112.7 -109.7 -110.9; Dec 01 17:31:16 - CCDtemps2: -155.8 -104.6 -95.6 -104.0 -105.6 -155.3 -102.5 -97.6
MechGUI/Hardhat:: Fix MMTF (etalon CS100 controller) release/init button
Use mask-clamp for all masks.; Use mask-clamp for all masks.

v2.01a (October/17 2008)

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

v2.00 (March/31 2008) [updated June/24 2008]

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 ociw DOT edu) immediately.
Always use the Auto setting to turn-on the ion pump after you verified the proper conditions:

CryoT < -145

VacSensor < 2.0e-04

Instrument software

SetupTool has a new layout reflecting the fact that there are two dewar 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

Lantronix
program BlackABS-Lantronix with new IP number
ETS-16p & ETS-16r setup
Omega controller, ionpump
flow diagram for omaga/ionpump/vac-gauge interaction
new E-516 piezo controller for Mosiac/2.
Mosaic2 dewar has absolute focus encoding.
Note: The black ABS-box inside IMACS (see below) has now 2 piezo controllers. Each one is wired to a focus (f/2, f/4) position. The piezo controller (old) for the f/4 position requires to have the 'servo' switches in the OFF position. The (new) E516 ...
Note: controller/2 has no comm. (int.servo on at 100,100)
controller/1 must have servo OFF
mask-clamp installed -> new PR guider limit = 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 (January/17 2008)

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. (EngGUI, mstest)
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 functions 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)

Other notes:
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. (gitest)
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); 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. (EngGUI, mstest); 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 functions 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)

Other notes:
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. (gitest)
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)
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 functions 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)

Other notes:
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. (gitest)
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); 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)

Other notes:
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. (gitest)
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); 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)

Other notes:
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. (gitest)
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); 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)

Other notes:
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. (gitest)
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)
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)

Other notes:
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. (gitest)
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); $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)

Other notes:
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. (gitest)
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); $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)

Other notes:
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. (gitest)
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)
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)

Other notes:
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. (gitest)
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); ccdservd-1.06 installed on ccd06..09: The new version is started at boot time by the /etc/rc.local script. (ccdservd)

Other notes:
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. (gitest)
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)
Other notes:: 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. (gitest)
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); gitest-v1.02: 'gitest -l none' will ignore the Linmot controller but allow operating the (Acromag) brake. (gitest)
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); 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); Temperature sensor COLLT2 fixed (STR04 still broken)

v1.13 (June/16 2007)

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 in 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.

TODO: I would like to measure the flexure (6 deg/min, both directions) of at least one grating during a future engineering run.

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 (May/06 2007)

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.; 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 (last updated: 2008-12-03)