Wish lists for NIKA

1st NIKA pool (8th run)

• The data reduction software should correct for tracking deviations. This is particularly important for 1mm observations under high wind, doing Lissajous scans. (added by IH on 20 Feb 2014)
• Focus: (added by CK on 20 Feb 2014)
  • focus /dir x ! update pako manual for lateral focus scans
  • set focus /dir x ! allow easy way to correct for lateral focus offsets

  • When observing Lissajous maps at different focus positions to deduce the focus offsets, it'll be nice to do these maps as subscans and not as scans. This would make automatic data reduction easier. Please also declare this kind of observations as something different from 'lissajou' so we can identify these scans conviniently and not confuse them with regular lissajou maps.

• Software: Ask the computer group to install some fits viewer (ds9 is the best option) on the observing computers (added by IH on 26 Feb 2014). (fv works fine also)

• Remove this warning: W-LISSAJOUS, WARNING--CONDITION: Elevation must be less than 83.28 [deg]. It is annoying and confusing for the observers (added by IH on 01 Mar 2014).

• In the automatic logsheets (TAPAS & Pool Data Base)make appear the scan number (SL 6 Mar 2014). Already the case, checked 20 Mar 2014.

• Modify telescope information stream (PaKo & or ELVIN) and/or Camadia on NIKA side so that:

  • all the different types of Lissajous (focus, pointing, map) are identifiable with a specific name in the scan info data stream & in the automatic logsheets (currently they are all called Lissajous) (SL 20 Mar 2014)

  • when a focus scan is run the starting focus position is broadcast and usable by the NIKA IDL RTA software (quicklook) (SL 20 Mar 2014)

  • when a focus scan is run use by default (e.i. if the information is not specified in PaKo) the current focus as the starting point (SL 20 Mar 2014)

  • when a skydip is run use use by default (e.i. if the information is not specified in PaKo) the current azimuth+2' as the starting point (SL 20 Mar 2014)

• Some items from the wish lists of run 6 an run 7 are still valid ! (SL 20 Mar 2014)

7th run

Material to leave in the NIKA space at Pico Veleta (in the spiral room)

• Portable VNA-Spectrum Analyser (including transformer) -- OK
• N.2 spare 2m fexible Minicircuits cables -- OK
• N.4 semirigid cables used in run6 -- OK

• Drawers containing a few tools, Norcan stuff, vacuum parts, arrays spares, small RF spares (SMA, attenuators, mixers, filters etc.) -- OK

• Power supply and cables for ampli2 (already mounted in cryostat) - Yebes YL011 -- OK
• Polarization stuff: modulator motor/mechanics, HWP, polarizer -- OK
• Polystyrene container with ECOSORB for tones calibration off-Sky -- OK
• Spare "automate" for NIKA cryostat pumping stage -- Martino's coming with it GOING BACK TO GRENOBLE
• list to be completed

• Things would be nice to have: ....... humidifiers to sleep better, NIKA resident Moonboots to walk and breath, helmet, logos to identify NIKA space ...

Upgrade for observers

• Use the run 7 data to determine the Nasmyth offsets of each pixels, then implement a look up table in NCS, with a selection tool, so that rather entering Nasmyth offset in PaKo one can change the reference detector by selecting the number of the detector to use (e.g. enter in PaKo: ref det 494). This possibility existed with MAMBO.

6th run

Here are things that could improve the smoothness of next Nika runs

• Use real coordinates instead of commanded coordinates: see SL summary of coordinate parameters from antMD (-> Elvin) and IMBFITS.

• Tuning in first subscan with an option in all pako commands: /tune /tsubtune 15 to be able to tune for a dedicated first subscan of 15 seconds
• Focus with 5 lissajous subscans
• TAPAS integration: entry as one line in a log book + additional field for NIKA specific
• Improve on plot quicklook
• possibility to make subscans shorter than 10 seconds
• automatic trigger of data reduction when a scan is finished
• focus film and otf_map films.
• Improved skydip routine (with current Az as the default)
• Webcam poiting the sky through the vertex of the primary
• auto-recovering of resonances
• Telescope warning is missing when a scan is stuck