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Problem

A new device (e.g., backend, receiver) must be added to the GBT and controlled via the M&C system. How do I add this new device into the M&C system?

Solution

Assumptions

1. Assume a device to control which uses an SIB (Standard Interface Board) interface, accessed via the MCB bus.
2. M&C control software (typically, the "manager") for the new device does not yet exist.

Solution Overview

An overview of the steps involved in the solution to this problem:

1. Determine on which host the new M&C control software will be run (both simulator and real GBT sytsem)
2. Create the M&C control software (typically, the manager and supporting software)
3. Create new and modify existing telescope configuration files to allow new M&C software use

Here's an illustrative diagram showing the relation between elements of this solution for the simulation environment:

1.0 Host for control software

First step is to determine if the new M&C control software for the new device requires a new host (one not already configured to run M&C software), or an existing M&C host.

1.1 Existing Host

For new M&C software to successfully run on an existing host, the associated Proc.conf file must be modified - see section 3.2.

1.2 New Host

May need to install the samplerdrv OS driver.

2.0 Create control software

(Add reference link to the Port Manager to Linux wiki page, as defining some of the basic infrastructure of an M&C manager)

3.0 Configure software for use

3.1 Simulator versus Real GBT

Those files which are to be created or modified are named the same, but located in different directories depending on whether you are configuring the M&C software for use with the simulator or the real GBT telescope.

3.2 Proc.conf

3.3 SIBMap.conf

3.4 mcb_simulate.conf

-- RonGrider - 05 Sep 2007