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Next: Applications integration Up: AIPS++ DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Release 1.4 Previous: Single-dish

Subsections

Synthesis

Priorities

Scientific completeness: Significant synthesis capabilities exist within the package at present, but they need to be more widely used in the scientific community. This problem can be addressed through improved vertical integration of synthesis applications, and in the addition of scientific completeness beyond the current thin-path capabilities. In this area, the full completion of connected-element capabilities takes priority over VLBI.
Time-critical local priorities: It is important that the project meet time-critical targets required for successful AIPS++ use at consortia sites, particularly where the use of AIPS++ is closely integrated into the critical path required for instrument use or operation.
Basic automated imaging: The synthesis infrastructure is sufficiently developed to allow the implementation of basic automated imaging capabilities, applicable to both off-line and real-time imaging. It is appropriate during this development cycle to continue initial work in this area in the main package, and to coordinate similar developments at other consortium sites to maximize component re-use in pipeline development.
Automated testing: Expanding the automated testing of synthesis capabilities using simulated data is a priority during this cycle, both at the C++ and Glish level. This has benefits in speeding up release testing, and in daily and weekly checks of system integrity for end-users.

Targets

MS v2 filler migration: Migrate all existing fillers to MS v2. These include: i) VLA filler (RM, H, 2 wk); ii) BIMA filler (PT, H, 4 wk); iii) WSRT filler (WSRT staff); iv) ms2scn, ms2iwos (GvD, H, 1 wk).
MS v2 FITS definition: Complete definition of MS v2 as an external FITS binary table format. (AK, M, 2 wk).
MERLIN filler: Implement initial MERLIN filler using existing filler infrastructure in AIPS++. Includes familiarization with the AIPS++ library. (BM, H, 4 wk).
Additional VLA filler features: Add: (i) shadowing; (ii) Tsys and weighting; (iii) complete output filtering; (iv) new weights scheme currently adopted by FILLM. (RM, H, 4 wk).
MS concatenation: Complete existing work on MS concatenation and averaging. (RM, H, 4 wk).
MS data volume control: Implement initial solution to the MS data volume problem caused by the MODEL_DATA, CORRECTED_DATA and IMAGING_WEIGHT scratch columns. (AK, H, 1 wk).
MS access classes: Refine MS access classes for new filler and calibration developments. (AK, H, 1 wk).
Automated editing: Complete initial automated editing algorithms, including spectral rejection. (DK, H, 3 wk).
New fitting classes in calibration solvers: Replace existing Newton solvers in calibrater with the new fitting classes now available in the system. (AK, H, 1 wk, WB, H, 0.5 wk).
Investigate coupled solver for ATCA: Investigate a coupled solver for ATCA data. Includes a comparison with MIRIAD. (WB, H, 2 wk).
Calibration table smoothing and re-gridding: Implement an initial calibration table smoothing and re-gridding tool. (HR, H, 4 wk, DM, H, 1wk).
Ephemeris-based planet flux density calibration: Enable flux density calibration based on planet observations, as currently done in Miriad. (RP, M, 4wk).
Holography support in imager: Complete general holography support in imager, excluding near-field corrections. (JB, H, 4 wk).
Imager testing with MS v2: Test all imager capabilities with MS v2 and implement any necessary changes. (AK, H, 3 wk).
Optimal-sized FFT's for mosaicing: Complete the implementation of optimal-sized FFT's for mosaiced imaging. (MH, H, 2 wk).
Simulator error models: Expand the analytic error models in the simulator for use in correctness testing. Also, complete initial support of pointing errors(MH, H, 3 wk).
Coarse component search: Perform a coarse search for component positions in an image. (WB, H, 2 wk).
uv-component fitter: Initial component fitter in the uv-plane. (WB, H, 2 wk).
Automated imaging prototype: Complete the vertical integration of synthesis capabilities in map.g, and provide an initial automated imaging utility, automap.g. (AK, H, 2 wk).
Pipeline scientific requirements: Complete the scientific requirements document for common pipeline architectures. (AK, H, 1 wk).
New Getting Results chapters: Add new Getting Results chapters for synthesis reduction for specific instruments, including VLA, WSRT, BIMA and ATNF. (AK, H, 1 wk, TO, H, 1 wk, MW/FB, H, 1 wk).
Synthesis tests: Complete initial test scripts for all consortium connected-element instruments (WSRT, BIMA, VLA, ATNF). (TO/JN, H, 2 wk, DM, H, 2 wk, AK, H, 2 wk, FB/MW, H, 2 wk).
Errors in componentlist tables: Add support for simple errors (one per existing parameter) in componentlist tables. (RM, H, 1 wk).
Ionosphere support in calibrater: Complete FJones support in calibrater, including: i) PIM/GPS/ionosphere note; ii) GPS sub-table access classes; iii) finalize Ionosphere and FVisJones classes; iv) Test PIM-based corrections with WSRT data; v) explore secondary PIM corrections. (OS, H, 12 wk).
imager tests against simulated data: Add imager tests against simulated data for all imaging modes to imagertest, and assay. (MH, H, 3 wk).
Unify ImageSkyModel (algorithm/context): Unify deconvolution and imaging context in ImageSkyModel classes. (MH, H, 4 wk).
MSLister integration: Complete MSLister integration; includes familiarization with related AIPS++ classes. (GM, H, 4 wk).
Calibrater infrastructure development: Continue enhancement of calibrater infrastructure in the areas of interpolation and parameterization. (GM, H, 4 wk).
VLBI FITS-IDI filler: Complete initial FITS IDI filler using existing filler classes. (BM, H, 8 wk).
Improve mosaicing interface and functionality: Initial work on a high-level mosaicing interface, and related utilities. (MH, M, 2 wk).
Initial fringe-fitter: Complete initial single-band, coherent fringe fitter. (AK, M, 4 wk).

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