Design of modular C++ observatory control system: from observatories to laboratories and back

Petr Kubánek; Michael Prouza; Ronan Cunniffe; Markus Wildi; Jan Štrobl; Ivan Kotov; Paul O'Connor; Martin Jelínek; Antonio de Ugarte Postigo

doi:10.1117/12.857258

19 July 2010 Design of modular C++ observatory control system: from observatories to laboratories and back

Petr Kubánek, Michael Prouza, Ronan Cunniffe, Markus Wildi, Jan Štrobl, Ivan Kotov, Paul O'Connor, Martin Jelínek, Antonio de Ugarte Postigo

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7740, Software and Cyberinfrastructure for Astronomy; 77401V (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857258
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

For almost a decade we have been developing an open source control system for autonomous observatories called Remote Telescope System, 2nd version - RTS2. The system is currently used to operate about dozen observatories. It was designed from the beginning as the ultimate tool for autonomously performing any possible observing plan on any hardware. Its modular design allows exactly this and enables even more. Currently it is used to control not only observatories but also CCD testing laboratories. We present the internal design of this open source observatory and laboratory control package, and discuss its overall structure. We emphasise new developments and our experiences building a community of users and developers of the package. Design of the system modularity is explained in detail, and various approaches to software reuse are discussed, with a demonstration of how the best solution emerged. We describe problems that were encountered as mirror sizes and associated operational complexity grew. We also describe how the system is being used at a CCD testing laboratory, and detail the quick transition from previously unsupported hardware to fully automated operation. We discuss how the system's evolution has affected code design, and present unexpected benefits it is brought. Our experience with use of open source code and libraries are discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Petr Kubánek, Michael Prouza, Ronan Cunniffe, Markus Wildi, Jan Štrobl, Ivan Kotov, Paul O'Connor, Martin Jelínek, and Antonio de Ugarte Postigo "Design of modular C++ observatory control system: from observatories to laboratories and back", Proc. SPIE 7740, Software and Cyberinfrastructure for Astronomy, 77401V (19 July 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857258

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
12 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Observatories

Telescopes

Charge-coupled devices

Sensors

Space telescopes

C++

CCD image sensors

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years