Australia Telescope National Facility

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This manual is intended to guide first-time LBA users through the complete process of correlating their data and obtaining final correlated data files. For the more experienced LBA'er these links can be used independently to obtain that little bit of information you just can't remember.

Unlike the Australia Telescope Compact Array, where the correlating of data from each baseline is done automatically as part of the observing process, LBA observations require the correlating to be done `manually' at ATNF headquarters.

In order to perform LBA observations one must first apply for time on the required telescopes (http://www.atnf.csiro.au/observers/apply/form.html). The observations are performed and rather than the data being recorded onto conventional media such as CDs, it is recorded onto SVHS video tapes. These tapes are then taken to the correlator at the Marsfield Site where they are played back and the data is correlated to obtain the final RPFITS files ready for processing.

The LBA Correlator itself is located at ATNF Headquarters, Marsfield, on the lower floor in B-wing which is near the North-Western corner of the site. The room number is 104 and the phone extension is 4505 (externally 61 2 9372-4505). A handy reference point is the ``Downstairs Conference Room'', immediately adjacent to the correlator.

There are 6 main steps to correlating your data. The correlating process produces data files in the ATNF format known as RPFITS that must be exported (copies are also archived), usually on CD-ROM. So, the final step in your VLBI experience is to export your files, as covered in the last section.

The LBA correlator system is subject to change, particularly the computer interfaces. The version of this guide is May 2003.

• Contents
• Booking the Correlator
• Getting Started on the Workstations
  • Starting up correlator control programs
    • First: Log on to lbacop-mm
    • Second: Create a session on the correlator control computer lbaccc
    • Third: Create a session on elleba, and associated processes
    • Fourth: Controlling the S2 Units
  • Synchronise the Clocks
  
  
• Getting your Tapes Together
• The Correlator Schedule File
  • Creating the Schedule File
  • Editing the Correlator Schedule File
  
  
• Fringe Searching and Pulsar Gating
  • Clock Synchronization
  • Finding Fringes and Calculating the Clock Model
  • Setting up Pulsar Gating
  
  
• Correlating your Data
  • Correlating the Next Set of Data Using the Existing Schedule File
  
  
• Obtaining Your Final Files
• LBACOR
• The Correlator Schedule File
• SPD
• LBA Correlator Checklist (``Pocket Guide'')
• Miscellaneous Hints
• About this document ...

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