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ALMA Memo #290

Automation of Imaging Simulations for Array Configurations using Classic AIPS


Steven Heddle
(UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory Edinburgh)

Adrian Webster
(Institute for Astronomy, Royal Observatory Edinburgh)

07 March 2000

Since the ALMA telescope will consist of about 60 antennas that may be deployed on 200 - 300 stations, the number of configurations to be modelled is large, particularly if the array will be operated as a zoom telescope in which successive observing configurations differ only in the position of one antenna. Since, moreover, the electromagnetic performance has to be modelled in snapshot and earth-rotation modes, and at a number of different declinations, modelling even a representative selection of the possible overall configurations constitutes an onerous and time-consuming task if it is not heavily automated. This Memo describes some progress that has been made towards this end using straightforward shell scripts applied while running Linux, with Classic AIPS as the core simulation tool. The scripts generate AIPS batch files for imaging simulations automatically, by inputting key parameters on the command line. At present these are declination, wavelength, length of track, and filename of antenna positions. The results presented include uv coverage, distribution of baselines, dirty beams and maps, and slices through the dirty beam. The method and scripts are described here, and results from a hybrid composite zoom design are presented. The method allows standard, comparable sets of results to be obtained quickly and easily.


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Last modified: March 07, 2000

kweather@nrao.edu