Sample Macros

The aim of the Umbrella program is to allow the automation of the observing schedule thus allowing the user to reduce data or work from a remote site. Automation reduces time loss from manual entry and mistakes that come from continuous keyboard typing. This section explains some basics for using simple observing macros to optimize available time at the telescope.

As the Umbrella manual explains; the use of macros can greatly simplify the task of setting up observations and pointing tests. This section will illustrate the building of observing macros from simple discreet commands called "primitives" for pointing exercises to a long observing block that can repeat with timing commands for LST, UT or local time. (See "Looping and Ifing" in the Umbrella Manual)

Selected Umbrella Primitives:

Cal calibration
DSS azimuth/elevation pointing scan
IntTime Integration time of a scan
SBS Spectral Beam Switch observation
SFS Spectral Frequency Switch observation

Assuming the 7mm, 2-channel Beam-switched setup in the previous section:

Umbrella commands to run a pointing check on Venus

Source = Venus No sourcelist is required for planets
Bandwidth = 160 Use wide bandwidth for continuum pointing
IntTime = 1 1 second per point in the scan
Cal Calibrate
DSS Runs an Azimuth cut then an Elevation cut using any derived azimuth offset

The above commands can be "defined" with a one-word macro such as VenusPoint:
Define VenusPoint
   Source = Venus
   Bandwidth = 160
   IntTime = 1
   Cal
   DSS
EndDefine

Now, instead of typing 5 lines of commands at the Umbrella prompt, this defined macro can be part of a larger Umbrella schedule. When the complete schedule is entered into the Umbrella program, simply typing VenusPoint will automatically conduct the pointing check. If you are doing continuum observations and not changing bandwidths, the Bandwidth= line can be dropped from the macro. When defining a macro, you must use the Define/EndDefine statements.

Umbrella commands to run a 5-minute* beam switched spectral observation

*To set your Spectral Line Integration time to 5 minutes, set IntTime=10. Integration time in Spectral Line mode is Integer Value x 30 seconds.
As seen earlier, the above spectral observation can be "defined" in a one-word macro such as SpecOCet:
Define SpecOCet
   Source = OmiCet
   Bandwidth = 17.8
   IntTime = 10
   Npoints = 1
   Cal
   SBS
EndDefine

If you wish to do two or more different sources with the same integration time and bandwidth, put the Source= command outside the macro and give the macro a generic name such as Spec17.8:
Define Spec17.8
   Bandwidth = 17.8
   IntTime = 10
   Npoints = 1
   Cal
   SBS
EndDefine

You can then create a macro that runs spectral observations on the selected sources called SpecRun1:
Define SpecRun1
   Source = OmiCet
   Spec17.8
   Source = IKTau
   Spec17.8
   Source = RLeo
   Spec17.8
   Source = TCep
   Spec17.8
   Source = TXCam
   Spec17.8
EndDefine

It is possible to run the above macro as a repeating loop for as long as the objects are visible during an observing session. The Loop and timing commands can key on Local Sidereal Time, Universal Time, a specified time span or a specified number of repeats.

For Local Sidereal Time
DoLoop %0:08:00
Specrun1
EndLoop
For Universal Time
DoLoop !0:15:00
Specrun1
EndLoop
For 2 Hours and 30 minutes duration
DoLoop +02:30
Specrun1
EndLoop
To loop 4 times
DoLoop 4
Specrun1
EndLoop

Putting it all together, the following is a simple schedule for a 7mm, SiO 2-channel spectral and pointing check run.

Note: 7mmSiO refers to the Define statement at the beginning of this script. This will start the receiver setup and start the observing program.
This Schedule will set your receiver frequency, spectral observations, spectral line pointing, continuum pointing, run the spectral line loop once and then run the pointing part of the program reading the Local Sidereal Time at the beginning of each loop. The loop observations will end when the beginning of the loop first encounters a time later than 9:00 LST. More detailed information on Umbrella primitives and macros can be found in the Umbrella Manual. Users are urged to read the entire manual before submitting their schedule to the observatory.

Source = OmiCet Assuming you have entered a source list into the Umbrella program
Bandwidth = 17.8 A typical bandwidth selection for moderately narrow spectral lines
IntTime = 10 For spectral line observations, IntTime is multiples of 30 seconds
Npoints = 1 Number of spectra per run
Cal Calibrate off-source for bright sources
SBS Initiates seam switched spectral observation
Define 7mmSiO
   Project = PointingCheck
   Maintenence = Off
   Frequency = 43122027
   Bandwidth = 160
   SetupRow = C
   CDPmode = 2M
   FrequencySwitch = Off
   BeamSwitch = On
   Sourcelist = /home/pas/point.1st
EndDefine

Define ContinuumPoint
   Bandwidth = 160
   IntTime = 1
   Cal
   Dss
EndDefine

Define LinePoint
   Bandwidth = .658
   IntTime = 1
   Cal
   Dss
EndDefine

Define Spec17.8
   Bandwidth = 17.8
   IntTime = 10
   Npoints = 1
   Cal
   SBS
EndDefine

Define SpecRun1
   Source = OmiCet
   Spec17.8
   Source = IKTau
   Spec17.8
   Source = RLeo
   Spec17.8
   Source = TCep
   Spec17.8
   Source = TXCam
   Spec17.8
EndDefine

7mmSiO

Define DoLoop 1
SpecRun1
EndLoop

DoLoop %0:09:00
Source = Venus
ContinuumPoint
Source = Mars
ContinuumPoint
Source = OmiCet
LinePoint
Source = IKTau
LinePoint
Source = RLeo
LinePoint
Source = TCep
LinePoint
Source = TXCam
LinePoint
EndLoop