CACOR

The main correlator software, CACOR (see below), performs a variety of functions, including:

• configuring the correlator;
• controlling the delay lines;
• supervising data collection;
• storing data;
• on-line monitoring.

The software, which runs on the Linux machine CACCC and is displayed on PERICLES in the Control Room, requires a constant stream of information from CAOBS (running on XBONES). For this purpose it has a number of background processes that should always be running: COR_DAT, COR_SYNCH, COR_CONFIG, COR_XFER, COR_FITS.

The data are stored to disk on CACCC. Before observing you must ensure that the correlator is in the correct configuration. That is, it must be set up for observations using a particular bandwidth and number of channels, as listed. If you specified a correlator configuration in your schedule file, then CACCC will automatically reconfigure the correlator for you when you start your first scan. If there is no configuration specified in your schedule file then you must use CACOR to configure the correlator as described below.

Figure 8.4: The main CACOR screen.