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Initialisation operations

This all happens on startup. The Instrumentation Computer:-

1. declares all variables used by the system and give initial values
2. loads CCD command definitions (dictionary)
3. loads the CCD detector contol program (d-task)
4. asks the astronomer which chip is being used (valid answers being RCA2, GEC3 or GEC4 at present).
5. loads, reads back and checks the control store.
6. checks that the shutter works.
7. checks the telemetry values (including chip temperature
8. clears the chip
9. asks the astronomer where he wants his data to go (disk or tape) and what the first run number should be. At this stage, you will be told how many new images you can store on disk. If it is less than you need, see what is left in the account by typing DIR to inspect the directory, output your data to disk and then PURGE or DELETE some files, including any left over from previous users.

10. says which chip bias level is to be assumed, and sets the preflash to zero as the CCD is at the prime focus where there is no flash lamp.
11. resets the Lexidata image display.
12. starts up the filter wheel software and reports current filter position.

Notes

This is a complete software and hardware initialisation. It may be repeated by used of the command CCDINIT (2.3.7) which does exactly the same thing. The CCD controller can be reset using the command RESETCCD (2.3.7).

If on startup it is found that a run is still active then any initialisation that might affect the chip contents is bypassed. In particular this avoids steps 4 through 7 and in addition the NOCLEAR flag is set so that the next GLANCE or RUN will not clear the chip.

The filter wheel software can be re-initialised by typing:-

Adam:> CCDFINIT

The CLEAR of the chip can be suppressed by issuing the NOCLEAR command prior to the CCDINIT command.