e-control: new concepts for remote control of VLBI-telescopes and first experiences at Wettzell

Abstract

The requirements for VLBI systems are increasing: higher observation density schedules, realtime access for changing schedules, more automation of observations and remote control of complete sites are being planned. To support these changes new additional software components are required. The addition of (semi-) autonomous, remote accessible control features, which are becoming a reality now will provide needed support by offering reliable, safe, and modular structures from the high-level controlling layers down to the basic equipment interaction elements. An extension to the current NASA Field System (FS) with remotely accessible, autonomous process cells is being developed at the Wettzell Geodetic Observatory. It uses the specially designed middleware generator "idl2rpc.pl", developed at Wettzell, to generate the remote C++-interfaces for communication issues. A new modern graphical user interface in combination with an initial programmatic interface to the FS, both developed as extensions, demonstrate the capability for controlling radio telescopes remotely. The first successful remote control tests, with operators present, during regular experiments with the telescopes at O'Higgins, Concepción and Wettzell have demonstrated that this approach works well in the global communication network.