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Change Data Directory for Pulsar Observations

Modification Request #5 (C02 2006)

1. Introduction

Pulsar observers generate large amounts of data which are stored locally on spigot2. During observations they often need to send the data to a new directory. Currently this capability is only available through turtle's SetupSpigot observing directive. An additional observing directive is needed to allow the changing of the target data directory at any time in a scheduling block.

2. Background

Turtle has been enhanced previously to allow control of a Manager-less telescope device, called the Spigot. Because of the low-level of synchronization needed between the Spigot and other telescope devices for successful data collection, basic control by turtle has been satisfied by providing access from scheduling blocks to methods of the class SPIGOT in the Python scripts already available for running the Spigot hardware directly.

The Spigot writes its data in its own format to its own disk and therefore needs a means to select data directories separate from the data handling facilities in Ygor. Currently the ability to select a data directory is only available through turtle's SetupSpigot observing directive. The observer needs a finer grain control because often it is desired that the data directory be changed without modifying the setup.

3. Requirement

Make a simple command (observing directive) that will allow the user to change data directories. This should by default copy any existing calib.fits file to the new directory (which it will create) so that the spigot is ready to take data there.

4. Tasks

• Enhance the SPIGOT method change_data_directory(new_directory, copy_calib_file_flag)
• Add new observing directive SpigotChangeDataDirectory(data_directory, copy_calib_file_flag = True)

5. Design

The turtle SpigotChangeDataDirectory() observing directive calls the method change_data_directory() in Spigot's class SPIGOT. This method will have to be modified to copy the spigot calibration FITS file named by the SPIGOT data member self.calib_file from the old directory to the new directory.

6. Deployment Checklist

Standard build and install procedures for sparrow should be sufficient.

7. Test Plan

This observing directive can and will be tested on both the simulator and the telescope. Will need to add to the wiki description of observing directives.

Signatures

APPROVED: I acknowledge that my request is fully contained in this MR, and if the SDD delivers exactly what I specified, I will be happy.

ACCEPTED: I acknowledge that I have validated the completed code according to the acceptance tests, and I am happy with the results.

Status

Written	MarkClark - 28 Feb 2006
Checked	RamonCreager - 1 March 2006
Approved/Signed by Sponsor	ScottRansom - 1 March 2006
Approved/Signed by CCC	JohnFord - 10 Apr 2006
Accepted/Delivered	ScottRansom - 21 March 2006

Symbols:

• Use %X% if MR is not complete (will display )
• Use %Y% if MR iscomplete (will display )

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