Terminology

• Channel Access: EPICS subsystem layered on top of TCP/IP providing interprocess network distributed messaging. This subsystem provides the means with which the observing system communicates with the EPICS Controller which controls INGRID's mechanisms.

 
• DRAMA: Software environment for the development of network distributed real time systems. DRAMA is used extensively at ING. The IMPB observing system uses DRAMA to communicate with the Telescope Control System (TCS).

 
• EPICS Controller: this is the controller used to drive the stepper motors which control INGRID's mechanisms.

 
• FITS: Flexible Image Transport System - a format for the storage of observational data used by the IMPB Observing System.

 
• Frame Coaveraging: refers to a method of reducing the storage requirements of acquired detector data without compromising the ability to scientifically process it a later date. Typically an observation may result in a number of repetitions of an MNDR sequence, with the results of each sequence stored separately on disk. With frame coaveraging active the results of each acquisition sequence are instead accumulated, until the final acquisition cycle is complete when they are averaged and written as a single output file.

 
• IMPB: Implementation B - the observing system described in this manual - was a term coined by ING during the development of INGRID when a number of differing software development paths were considered. IMPB refers to the concept of an interim solution for observing with INGRID. At a later date the IMPB software will be superseded with a more general solution, fully integrated into the ING observing environment.

 
• INT: Isaac Newton Telescope - the 1m telescope within the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes.

 
• ISP: Instrument Support Platform - the component of the IMPB observational environment that provides the command interface.

 
• JKT: Jacobus Kapteyn Telescope - the 1m telescope within the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes.

 
• MNDR: Multiple Non Destructive Read - refers to a method of reading an infrared detector array. The array is read N times (non-destructively) prior to an integration period then a further N times afterwards. The array data from the pre and post-integration reads may then be processed (averaged) to reduce the uncertainty introduced by read noise. Different observation read modes are possible, but MNDR's are the only read mode supported by IMPB.

 
• Movie Mode: refers to a mode of instrument behaviour where the basic MNDR sequence is repeated continuously, with the results of each cycle displayed graphically on a Real Time Display. Data acquired during movie mode need not be saved to disk. IMPB supports movie mode via the movie command.

 
• Multi-Run Mode: refers to a mode of instrument behaviour where a number of MNDR sequences are automatically repeated, with the results of each sequence being stored on disk with aunique run number. IMPB supports multirun mode via the multrun command.
  
  
• Remote Login Session: A login session between a local host and a remote computer in which it is made to appear as if the user were sitting directly in front of the console of the remote computer.

 
• SDSU Controller: originating from a department of San Diego State University, this is the controller used to acquire data from INGRID's infrared detector array.

 
• TCS: Telescope Control System - the software subsystem which controls the WHT.

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• WHT: William Herschel Telescope - the 4.2m telescope within the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes. The WHT is the telescope which provides INGRID's current home.