WHAT IS NEEDED FOR THE REMOTE OPERATION OF CFHT?

This page is the accumulation of input from the Observing Assistants, and other CFHT staff, regarding what operations during the normal conditions of the telescope, that currently require human intervention.  It is broken down by floor to give some type of order. I have also assigned a number to the items indicating whether they are a one time item, a startup/shutdown item, or needed throughout the night. There is a quick explanation under "Comments" as to what the numbers mean. Several things to keep in mind about this list 1) This is for normal operation of the telescope and does not take into account any engineering needs and 2) this is a list of the things the OA does on a normal day and not a list of what needs to be controlled remotely.

To add to the list, or to comment, please email me at:
luthe@cfht.hawaii.edu

COMMENT CONTRIBUTORS LIST

*** - Rusty Luthe

*** - Bill Cruise

Basement

1. Building ventilation system 1
2. Main UPS system control 1
3. Telescope compressed air system 1

1. Turn on/off dome hydraulic pumps (main - on/off) 2
2. Turn on/off telescope hydraulics (main - on/off) 2
3. Floor chiller system 1

1. Electrical room inspection 1

1. Non remote Coude' operations (do we do any of this mode of observing anymore?) 1

1. Turn on/off dome pumps (remote operation) 2 *** This function must be remoted. Presently the manual step provides a required safety condition so that the system cannot be started remotely without human intervention. A bypass is needed which can only be activated by the OA at the start of the night, and then disabled at the end of the night. This system must effectively be locked out from remote operation without manual intervention at all other times '
2. Turn on/off telescope servo pumps, panel F power supplies and panel F checks for operation configuration. 2
3. Turn on/off guider cameras 2
4. Guide camera gain control 3 *** We would like to do this anyway for other reasons, have some ideas but there is no project planned.
5. Open/close mirror covers 3 ***This should be remoted, but could be done once per night for starters. If (we) have remote dome shutter control, then (we) must have remote mirror cover control. *** I think this should be interlocked
6. Telescope locking pins - in/out 3 ***(This) could be done once per night, but could be remoted.
7. Floor chiller operations 2
8. LAMA operations/mask cutting 2 *** This does not need to be made remote
9. Instrument control computers (Cassini, Dione etc.) swaps 4*** This is a troubleshooting procedure (or should be), and not normal operations. I think it should either be off the list, or you should have another footnote. And, I really think it should be off, since everything in the building is a potential troubleshooting item. We should also think about installing more remotely controlled power switches for items which can be rebooted by cycling power to them. *** I have switched the catagory on this and a few others
10. Reboots of System D for TCS (and power cycles/reboots on systems in general) 1 *** we have not used TCS System D for several years now. Perhaps you mean TCS III computer. But, this is not something required every night, but on an as needed basis, usually for troubleshooting. Also, it damned well better be gone before this starts! (see #9)
11. The operation of all software, i.e. TCS, Queue, AOB, etc. 3*** this is the real root of the plan, to run this stuff elsewhere. I'd split it into three items: instrument, queue, TCS. The job will be to get the stuff to run it on in the remote site.
12. Telescope Servo System (3 buttons labeled Servo Clear, Initial'n, Computer Active) 3*** these are a similar safety thing like the dome pumps, above. They will have to be remoted, and we should also have an OA interlock, like for the dome. We must not be able to move the telescope remotely without specific authorization. Also, these cannot be start of night things, since must be able to reset and control as needed all night.
13. Security switch 1*** This might be enough safety/security for TCS against remote operation.
14. Status LED's (brake released, motion enabled, power servo amp, locking pins, brake released, brake applied) 3*** many of these readouts could be put on a computer display now. Others may need some work
15. Guider thumb wheels 1*** these are once per night, and almost never touched during ops
16. Fine positioner handset #1 (paddle) 3
17. Focus control paddles 3*** Prime is on the TCS handset, and must be remoted. F/8 will someday be controlled by TCS IV, so it will already be available.
18. Audio from Prime cage 3*** We may want other audio, and perhaps many more TV cameras and remotely controlled lights. Can this be done by Bernt's new media panel for the PictureTel? *** Yes more cameras will be needed throughout the building, however for the monitoring of the shutter on CFH12K the audio 'bang' when the shutter opens/closes is a very good diagnostic. That can't be done with a camera.

1. Turn on/off dome pumps (remote/local switch) 1
2. LN2 transfers/dewar fills 1
3. Chilled air system for primary mirror (install/remove) 1
4. Dome shutter open/close and power on/off 1 *** this may become remotely controllable through projects which may actually be starting. This would give remote status and control. I would prefer first open of night to be in presence of OA, but remote control for in-night open/close would be very useful. *** Yes there should be someone watching the initial opening of the dome and it should be remoted for those times when the weather worsens quickly and the dome needs to be closed 5 minutes ago.
5. Wind screen deployment/adjustment 3 *** this really isn't used on a frequent basis. I think it could wait for #4, which should answer everything. *** There is discussion going on now about how the wind blind is to be used and how often it is used.
6. Upper and lower dome louver control 1
7. Solar sail deployment in rain conditions / water and ice removal 1

1. ANY troubleshooting of hardware (i.e. shutters, computers, etc.) 4 *** this is going to happen. It should require in-place plans so that we can either get two people, or have constant communication with one person, and a plan to get someone there RIGHT NOW in case of problems. We must also plan in advance the scope of things which will be permitted by one person.
2. Building walk through/checklist or general visual inspection of telescope/dome *** I see no problem for one person, IF there is a plan for check-in, and a timeout when the OA must check back, or show up at the remote observing location. Really no worse than now.
3. Filling Dewars *** This needs thought. Should one person go up to Prime?
4. Light pollution checks in dome *** More TV cameras, with remote control pan/tilt/zoom.
5. Safety of CFH telescope - (i.e. fire control, lightening protection, earthquake procedures etc.) *** You may be safer out of there
6. Support of other Mauna Kea Observatories during emergencies (health and safety/weather evacuations)
7. Eating the junk food in Cafe' Du Mont Blanc *** You will be safer out of there!

  Comments

1 These items are done either at the startup or shutdown of the telescope on a nightly basis.

2 These items are done at both the startup and shutdown of the telescope on a nightly basis.

3 These items are needed full time for the observing/operation of the telescope.

4 Trouble areas that will need attention on an "as needed" basis.