Skynet Dynamic Centralized Scheduling

1
SkynetDynamic Centralized Scheduling
Presented on behalf of the GRB research team at
UNC and their collaborators. crain_at_physics.unc.
edu kmi_at_physics.unc.edu
2
What is Skynet?

• A centralized high-level control system for an
  array of robotic telescopes
• A dynamic per-exposure scheduler
• A web-based interface with an increasing amount
  of functionality

3
How does Skynet work?

• Each telescope runs Terminator client software
• Controls TheSky and MaxIM via ActiveX, but all
  hardware can be controlled via plugins.
• So far, only domes and weather stations have
  required special drivers.
• The Terminator exposes a simple state machine to
  Skynet

Subsystem i.e. Dome, Mount
Skynet (scheduler)
Terminator (state machine)
Plugin
4
How hard is it to add a scope?

• If you have compatible hardware, integration can
  be as simple as installing a single program. You
  immediately reap some benefits.
• Automated scheduler
• Web interface for scheduling and data retrieval
• Data reduction pipeline (in development)
• Access to other scopes on Skynet

5
The Network Now
6
PROMPT
6 0.41m PROMPT CTIO, Chile
7
The Network Soon
8
SKYNET Functionality

• Standard queue scheduling
• I want data with X constraints, take it ASAP!
• Calibration scheduling
• Give me nightly flats, darks, and biases!
• Time critical and recurring observation
  scheduling
• I want data at X time and Y interval. Do not
  interrupt me
• unless you absolutely must!
• Synchronized GRB scheduling
• I want a real-time response with
  time-synchronized exposures and the broadest
  possible spectral coverage!

9
Any Web Browser, Anywhere
10
Any PC
Web Browser
HTTP
Control PC
MySQL
PHP Enabled Web Server
SQL
GCN
File Retrieval Routine
SQL
SKYNET Scheduler
To reduction pipeline
SQL
Data PC
Telescope State Machine via TCP
Node 1 PC
Node N PC
Prioritized file transfer from each node
CLIENT
CLIENT
11
Telescope State Machine
IDLE
Legend
MODE_X
State
CANCEL
SLEWING
Command Transition
CANCEL
Event Transition
WAITING
EXPOSE
CANCEL
EXPOSING
CLEAR
CLEAR
CLEAR_DITHER
COMPLETE
CANCELED
12
Enabling Technologies

• MySQL The memory of SKYNET
• Great administration tools
• Free!!
• LabVIEW Our automation toolkit
• Fast development cycle
• Makes local GUIs an afterthought
• .NET Decision making
• Powerful OOP in C
• Seamless integration w/ LabVIEW
• Platform independence via MONO(?)
• PHP Let the masses observe
• A wealth of pre-existing functionality

13
Real-time GRB Responses
14
GRB 050904 A Red Afterglow
Infrared Visible Both
4.1m SOAR 0.41m PROMPT 8.1m
Gemini South
High Redshift or High Extinction
6 lt z lt 8
z 6
NIR to visible spectrum very steep but NIR
spectrum shallow
15
Our Best Yet GRB 060607
z 3.08
16
SKYNET Usage
Public access granted in Jan 06 July on pace
for another record month of usage
17
The Future

• Skynet as a single, simultaneous multi-chromatic
  instrument in the HTN?
• Skynet as a HTN broker within its own
• network?