The Next Generation of Sub-Millimeter Receiver

Control

The Next Generation of Sub-Millimeter Receiver

Control

Steward Observatory Symposium

Feb 26-27, 2008

Steward Observatory Symposium

Feb 26-27, 2008

Thomas Folkers

David Forbes

Arizona Radio Observatory

Why Remote Receiver Control?Why Remote Receiver Control?

◊ Allows:• Remote Tuning• Remote Diagnosis & Debugging• Consistency in Training and Operation• Faster Frequency Changes and Setup

◊ Allows:• Remote Tuning• Remote Diagnosis & Debugging• Consistency in Training and Operation• Faster Frequency Changes and Setup

Receiver Control Design HistoryReceiver Control Design History

◊ Designed in 1989 by NRAO for the 12 Meter• VxWorks VME Computer ($10,000)

◊ DOS Based Interface• One User Interface Session Supported

• Card Cage Interface to Hardware• Updated to SunOS/X11 Interface in 1992

◊ Design Revision in 2004 for JT System• Embedded Computer ($1,000)

◊ PC104 I/O Cards (2 x $400)

• Linux RH90◊ Unlimited Number on User Interfaces Supported

• Used Same Card Cage I/O Design• GTK User Interface

◊ Designed in 1989 by NRAO for the 12 Meter• VxWorks VME Computer ($10,000)

◊ DOS Based Interface• One User Interface Session Supported

• Card Cage Interface to Hardware• Updated to SunOS/X11 Interface in 1992

◊ Design Revision in 2004 for JT System• Embedded Computer ($1,000)

◊ PC104 I/O Cards (2 x $400)

• Linux RH90◊ Unlimited Number on User Interfaces Supported

• Used Same Card Cage I/O Design• GTK User Interface

NRAO DesignedReceiver ControlNRAO DesignedReceiver Control

NRAO Design Receiver Control VxWorks VME Computer

NRAO Design Receiver Control VxWorks VME Computer

NRAO Design Receiver ControlCard Cage

NRAO Design Receiver ControlCard Cage

NRAO Design Receiver ControlCard Cage Computer Connections

NRAO Design Receiver ControlCard Cage Computer Connections

NRAO Design Receiver ControlCard Cage Hardware Connections

NRAO Design Receiver ControlCard Cage Hardware Connections

“JT” Design Receiver Control

“JT” Design Receiver Control

“JT” Control Design“JT” Control Design

◊ Based on the NRAO Design• Separate Computer and Card Cage

◊ Used Complete Linux Embedded System• PC104 I/O Cards

◊ Active File System• Powering Off Caused Problems

◊ 11 Processes Running in System◊ Required UPS Backup System◊ X11 User Interface can run on any Local

host

◊ Based on the NRAO Design• Separate Computer and Card Cage

◊ Used Complete Linux Embedded System• PC104 I/O Cards

◊ Active File System• Powering Off Caused Problems

◊ 11 Processes Running in System◊ Required UPS Backup System◊ X11 User Interface can run on any Local

host

“JT” Receiver DesignEmbedded Linux Computer

“JT” Receiver DesignEmbedded Linux Computer

“JT” Receiver DesignConnections

“JT” Receiver DesignConnections

“JT” 230 GHz Installation“JT” 230 GHz Installation

Latest Receiver Control DesignLatest Receiver Control Design

New Integrated DesignNew Integrated Design

◊ Custom Embedded Controller Cards◊ No Active File-System◊ Only 2 Processes on Host Computer

• Serial Comm Task• Interface Daemon

◊ Share a Common Global Memory

◊ Standardized Design• Used in the 345 & Future 650 and 950

GHz Systems.• Plans to retrofit 230 GHz “JT” system

◊ Custom Embedded Controller Cards◊ No Active File-System◊ Only 2 Processes on Host Computer

• Serial Comm Task• Interface Daemon

◊ Share a Common Global Memory

◊ Standardized Design• Used in the 345 & Future 650 and 950

GHz Systems.• Plans to retrofit 230 GHz “JT” system

Fully Integrated Card Cage System(345 GHz System Front View)

Fully Integrated Card Cage System(345 GHz System Front View)

Fully Integrated Card Cage System(Block Diagram)

Fully Integrated Card Cage System(Block Diagram)

Fully Integrated Card Cage System(Analog - Digital I/O Card)

Fully Integrated Card Cage System(Analog - Digital I/O Card)

Fully Integrated Card Cage System(Serial Card)

Fully Integrated Card Cage System(Serial Card)

Fully Integrated Card Cage System(Rear View)

Fully Integrated Card Cage System(Rear View)

User Tuning Interface GUIUser Tuning Interface GUI

For Further Information:For Further Information:

◊ ARO Web Site:• http://aro.as.arizona.edu/

◊ ARO Web Site:• http://aro.as.arizona.edu/