SC2SIM

SCUBA-2 Simulator

Description:

This command attempts to simulate the data taken by a SCUBA-2 subarray when observing an astronomical image plus atmospheric background while driving the JCMT. The simulation includes photon and 1/f noise from the atmosphere, and nonlinear response which varies for different bolometers. It also includes SCUBA-2 field distortion. Sc2sim combines the functionality of a number of executables built in earlier versions of the simulator: staresim, dreamsim, pongsim. The output file from a ‘heat’ observation is named after the subarray, date, and filenumber, for example: s8a20060301_00001_0001.sdf. For each subarray used in a simulation, a corresponding ‘heat’ (flatfield) output file must be present in the working directory.

Sc2sim also performs the heatrun task when supplied an input file with ’ heat’ observation mode specified. This generates a heater flat-field measurement from simulated data for each of range of heater settings. The output file from a ‘heat’ observation is named after the subarray, date, and filenumber, for example: s8aheat20060301_00001.sdf.

Parameters:

BADBOL = _CHAR (Read)
ARD Description File for Bad Bolometer mask. [!]
MAXWRITE = INTEGER (Read)
Number of samples to write in output file.
MSG_FILTER = _CHAR (Read)
Control the verbosity of the application. Values can be NONE (no messages), QUIET (minimal messages), NORMAL, VERBOSE, DEBUG or ALL. [NORMAL]
OBSPAR = GROUP (Read)
Specifies values for the observation parameters used by the simulation.

The supplied value should be either a comma-separated list of strings or the name of a text file preceded by an up-arrow character "^" , containing one or more comma-separated (or line-break separated) lists of strings. Each string is either a " keyword=value" setting, or the name of a text file preceded by an up-arrow character " ^" . Such text files should contain further comma-separated lists which will be read and interpreted in the same manner (any blank lines or lines beginning with " #" are ignored). Within a text file, newlines can be used as delimiters, as well as commas. Settings are applied in the order in which they occur within the list, with later settings over-riding any earlier settings given for the same keyword.

Each individual setting should be of the form:

<keyword >= <value >

The parameter names and their default values are listed below. The default values will be used for any unspecified parameters. Unrecognized parameters are ignored (i.e. no error is reported).

OVERWRITE = LOGICAL (Read)
Flag to specify whether existing files are overwritten. Setting this to FALSE increments the ‘group’ counter in the output file names. Default is TRUE.
SEED = INTEGER (Read)
Seed for random number generator. If a seed is not specified, the clock time in milliseconds is used.
SIMPAR = GROUP (Read)
Specifies values for the simulation parameters. See the description for OBSPAR for the file format.

The parameter names and their default values are listed below. The default values will be used for any unspecified parameters. Unrecognized parameters are ignored (i.e. no error is reported).

SIMSTATS = LOGICAL (Read)
Flag to specify whether to report the properties of the current simulation given the parameters specified in SIMPAR and OBSPAR. The simulation is not carried out.
SIMTYPE = CHAR (Read)
Simulation type : In a ’ full’ simulation the flux for each bolometer at each time slice is calculated and stored in the output files, along with the pointing information. In a ’ weights’ simulation, the flux is set to zero for each bolometer, but the pointing information is written to the output files. These ’ weights’ files can be generated in less time than for a ’ full’ simulation and may be used to predict the rate of sampling across a mapped area for a given observation.

Observation Parameters :

bol_distx (DOUBLE)
Average bolometer distance in the x-direction in arcseconds. [6.28]
bol_disty (DOUBLE)
Average bolometer distance in the y-direction in arcseconds [6.28].
bous_angle (DOUBLE)
For the BOUS obsmode, this parameter specifies the angle of the pattern relative to the telescope axes in radians anticlockwise. [0.0]
bous_height (DOUBLE)
For the BOUS obsmode, this parameter specifies the height of the boustrophedon pattern in arcseconds. This height is the height of the stack of back-and-forth sweeps across the sky, and is measured from the centre of the array. [2000.0]
bous_spacing (DOUBLE)
For the BOUS obsmode, this parameter specifies the spacing of the boustrophedon pattern in arcseconds. This spacing is the distance between the parallel horizontal sweeps across the sky, and is measured from the centre of the array. [240.0]
bous_vmax (DOUBLE)
For the BOUS obsmode, this parameter specifies the maximum telescope velocity in arcseconds/second. [200.0]
bous_width (DOUBLE)
For the BOUS obsmode, this parameter specifies the width of the boustrophedon pattern in arcseconds. This width is the width of each of back-and-forth sweeps across the sky, and is measured from the centre of the array. [2000.0]
colsize (INTEGER)
This is the number of bolometers in a " column" , and this is the total number of " rows" . [40]
conv_shape (INTEGER)
Flag for the possible convolution functions where

  • 0 - Gaussian

  • 1 - sinc(dx).sinc(dy)

  • 2 - sinc(dx).sinc(dy) tapered

  • 3 - sinc(dx).sinc(dy) after first 1.0

  • 4 - bessel tapered

[1]

conv_sig (DOUBLE)
Convolution function parameter. [1.0]
coordframe (CHAR)
Map coordinate frame, ether NASMYTH, AZEL, or RADEC. [RADEC]
dec (CHAR)
Sexagesimal string representation of the Declination of the observation. [00:00:00.0]
distfac (DOUBLE)
Distortion factor, where 0 = no distortion. [0.0]
dut1 (DOUBLE)
Value of UT1 - UTC for current date in seconds. [0.0]
externobs (CHAR)
File name of external SCUBA-2 observation from which to generate scan pattern. [none]
flatname (CHAR)
Name of flatfield correction technique, either TABLE or POLYNOMIAL.
focstart (DOUBLE)
Starting focus position in mm. [-3.0]
focstep (DOUBLE)
Interval between focus positions in mm. [1.0]
grid_max_x (INTEGER)
DREAM reconstruction grid max x. [1]
grid_max_y (INTEGER)
DREAM reconstruction grid max y. [1]
grid_min_x (INTEGER)
DREAM reconstruction grid min x. [1]
grid_min_y (INTEGER)
DREAM reconstruction grid min y. [1]
grid_step_x (DOUBLE)
DREAM grid step in X direction in arcseconds. [6.28]
grid_step_y (DOUBLE)
DREAM grid step in Y direction in arcseconds. [6.28]
heatnum (INTEGER)
Number of heater settings. [1]
heatstart (DOUBLE)
Initial heater setting in pW. [0.0]
heatstep (DOUBLE)
Increment of heater setting in pW. [0.0]
height (DOUBLE)
Minimum height of pattern in arcseconds. [2000.0]
instap (CHAR)
Name of instrument aperture. []
instap_x (DOUBLE)
X focal plane offset in arcseconds. [0.0]
instap_y (DOUBLE)
Y focal plane offset in arcseconds. [0.0]
jig_step_x (DOUBLE) : 6.28 (arcseconds)
The DREAM step size in the x-direction between jiggle positions.
jig_step_y (DOUBLE) : 6.28 (arcseconds)
The DREAM step size in the y-direction between jiggle positions.
jig_pos.x (CHAR)
Array with relative DREAM vertex coordinates for the x-direction, in units of pixel distance. This parameter value should be a comma-separated list of integer values surrounded by parentheses. The number of values must be the same as the number of values in the jig_pos.y array. [(0,-1,1,-1,0,1,-1,1)]
jig_pos.y (CHAR)
Array with relative vertex coordinates for the y-direction, in units of pixel distance. This parameter value should be a comma-separated list of integer values surrounded by parentheses. The number of values must be the same as the number of values in the jig_pos.x array. [(1,-1,0,1,-1,1,0,-1)]
lambda (DOUBLE)
Wavelength of observation in m. [0.85e-3]
liss_angle (DOUBLE)
For the LISS obsmode, this parameter specifies the angle of the pattern relative to the telescope axes in radians anticlockwise. [0.0]
liss_height (DOUBLE)
For the LISS obsmode, this parameter specifies the height of the Lissajous pattern in arcseconds. [2000.0]
liss_nmaps (INTEGER)
The number of times the Lissajous pattern should repeat. [1]
liss_spacing (DOUBLE)
For the LISS obsmode, this parameter specifies the spacing of the Lissajous pattern in arcseconds. This spacing is the distance between the parallel sweeps across the sky, and is measured from the centre of the array. [240.0]
liss_vmax (DOUBLE)
For the LISS obsmode, this parameter specifies the maximum telescope velocity in arcseconds/second. [200.0]
liss_width (DOUBLE)
For the LISS obsmode, this parameter specifies the width of the Lissajous pattern in arcseconds. [2000.0]
mjdaystart (DOUBLE)
Modified Julian date at start of observation. [53795.0]
mspat_x (DOUBLE)
Array of microstep X-offsets in the focal plane. Units are arcseconds. Multiple values can be supplied as comma-separated list of offsets surrounded by parentheses, e.g " (10,20)" . [0.0]
mspat_y (DOUBLE)
Array of microstep Y-offsets in the focal plane. Units are arcseconds. Multiple values can be supplied as comma-separated list of offsets surrounded by parentheses, e.g " (10,20)" . [0.0]
nfocstep (INTEGER)
Number of focus positions. [7]
nmaps (DOUBLE)
Number of times to repeat pattern. [1]
nmicstep (INTEGER)
Number of microsteps. [1]
numsamples (INTEGER)
For the STARE obsmode, this is the number of samples. [128]
nvert (INTEGER)
The number of vertices in the DREAM jiggle pattern. [8]
obsmode (CHAR)
The observation mode, which can be any of the following :

  • STARE : Simulates a simple point-and-shoot observation mode in which the camera stares at at a specified area of sky for a period of time.

  • DREAM : (Dutch REal-time Acquisition Mode) Simulates an observition in which the Secondary Mirror unit moves rapidly in a star-like pattern such that each bolometer observes multiple points on the sky.

  • SINGLESCAN : Simulates moving the array in a straight path across the sky.

  • BOUS : Simulates mapping a rectangular area of sky using a simple Boustrophedon or raster pattern.

  • PONG : Simulates mapping a rectangular area of sky by filling the box with a orthogonally cross-linked pattern by " bouncing" off the sides of the box. There are two subcategories of PONG, either Straight pong (straight lines between vertices) or Curve pong (slightly wiggly lines between vertices - pattern is a Fourier-expanded Lissajous).

  • LISS : Simulates mapping a rectangular area of sky by filling the box with a Lissajous pattern.

  • EXTERN : Recreates the scanning pattern of a real SCUBA-2 observation.

[PONG]

obstype (CHAR)
Observation type (POINT, FOCUS or SCIENCE). [SCIENCE]
planet (CHAR)
Planet (MARS, URANUS, VENUS, JUPITER, MOON, SATURN or NEPTUNE). []
platenum (INTEGER)
The number of waveplate rotations. [1]
platerev (DOUBLE)
The waveplate rotation in revolutions/second. [2.0]
pong_angle (DOUBLE)
For the PONG obsmode, this parameter specifies the angle of the pattern relative to the telescope axes in radians anticlockwise. [0.0]
pong_height (DOUBLE)
For the PONG obsmode, this parameter specifies the height of the pong pattern in arcseconds. [2000.0]
pong_nmaps (INTEGER)
The number of times the Pong pattern should repeat. [1]
pong_spacing (DOUBLE)
For the PONG obsmode, this parameter specifies the spacing of the Pong pattern in arcseconds. This spacing is the distance between the parallel sweeps across the sky, and is measured from the centre of the array. [240.0]
pong_type (CHAR)
Specifies the type of pong simulation (STRAIGHT or CURVE). [STRAIGHT]
pong_vmax (DOUBLE)
For the PONG obsmode, this parameter specifies the maximum telescope velocity in arcseconds/second. [200.0]
pong_width (DOUBLE)
For the PONG obsmode, this parameter specifies the width of the Pong pattern in arcseconds. [2000.0]
ra (CHAR)
Sexagesimal string representation of the Right Ascension of the observation. [00:00:00.0]
rowsize (INTEGER)
This is the number of bolometers in a " row" , and this is the total number of " columns" . [32]
scan_angle (DOUBLE)
For the SINGLESCAN obsmode, this parameter specifies the angle of the pattern relative to the telescope axes in radians anticlockwise. [0.0]
scan_pathlength (DOUBLE)
For the SINGLESCAN obsmode, this parameter specifies the width of the scan path in arcseconds. [2000.0]
scan_vmax (DOUBLE)
For the SINGLESCAN obsmode, this parameter specifies the maximum telescope velocity in arcseconds/second.
smu_move (INTEGER)
Code for the SMU move algorithm. The possible codes are :

  • 0 : Block wave.

  • 1 : 2 term not damped.

  • 2 : 3 term not damped.

  • 3 : 4 term not damped.

  • 4 : 2 term flat end.

  • 5 : 3 term flat end.

  • 6 : 4 term flat end.

  • 7 : ScubaWave - After 1 ms 0.098. After 8 ms 0.913. After 9 ms 1.000. popepi points is equivalent with 64 ms.

  • 8 : This is an experimental wave form, which may change often. Now it is a cosine waveform from 0 to 1 in the full time.

[8]

smu_offset (DOUBLE)
SMU phase shift. [0.0]
smu_samples (INTEGER)
Number of samples per jiggle vertex. [1]
spacing (DOUBLE)
Grid spacing in arcseconds. [240.0]
steptime (DOUBLE)
Sample interval time in seconds. [0.005]
subsysnr (INTEGER)
Subsystem number. [1]
targetpow (DOUBLE)
Target bolometer power input in pW. [25.0]
vmax (DOUBLE)
Telescope maximum velocity in arcseconds/second. [200.0]
width (DOUBLE)
Minimum width of pattern in arcseconds. [2000.0]

Simulation Parameters :

add_atm (INTEGER)
Flag for adding atmospheric emission. [0]
add_fnoise (INTEGER)
Flag for adding 1/f noise. [0]
add_hnoise (INTEGER)
Flag for adding heater noise. [0]
add_pns (INTEGER)
Flag for adding photon noise. [0]
airmass (DOUBLE)
Airmass of simulated observation. [1.2]
anang (DOUBLE)
Polarisation angle of analyser in degrees. [0.0]
anpol (DOUBLE)
Polarisation of analyser in percent. [100.0]
antrans (DOUBLE)
Transmission of analyser in percent. [100.0]
aomega (DOUBLE)
Coupling factor (0.179 for 850 microns, 0.721 for 450 microns). [0.179]
astname (CHAR)
Name of the input file containing astronomical sky image.
astpol (DOUBLE)
Polarisation of source in percent. [10.0]
atend (DOUBLE)
Ambient temperature at end in degrees celsius. [5.0]
atmname (CHAR)
Name of the input file containing atmospheric sky image.
atmrefnu (DOUBLE)
ATM reference corner frequency in Hz. [0.5]
atmrefvel (DOUBLE)
ATM reference velocity in meters/second. [15.0]
atmxvel (DOUBLE)
Atmospheric background velocity in arcseconds/second in the X direction. [5000.0]
atmyvel (DOUBLE)
Atmospheric background velocity in arcseconds/second in the Y direction. [0.0]
atmzerox (DOUBLE)
Atmospheric background offset in arcseconds in the X direction. [5000.0]
atmzeroy (DOUBLE)
Atmospheric background offset in arcseconds in the Y direction. [50000.0]
atstart (DOUBLE)
Ambient temperature at start in degrees celsius. [5.0]
bandGHz (DOUBLE)
Bandwidth in GHz. [35.0]
blindang (DOUBLE)
Polarisation angle of JCMT windblind in degrees. [10.0]
blindpol (DOUBLE)
Polarisation of blind in percent. [1.0]
blindtrans (DOUBLE)
Transmission of JCMT windblind in percent. [93.0]
cassang (DOUBLE)
Polarisation angle of Cassegrain optics in degrees. [135.0]
casspol (DOUBLE)
Polarisation of Cassegrain optics in percent. [1.0]
casstrans (DOUBLE)
Transmission of Cassegrain optics in percent. [98.0]
flux2cur (INTEGER)
Flag to indicate conversion of power from flux to current. [1]
interp (CHAR)
Name of the interpolation scheme to use when sampling the sky image. See docs for astResample in SUN/210. [NEAREST]
meanatm (DOUBLE)
Mean expeected atmospheric signal in pW. [7.0]
jy2pw (DOUBLE)
Jy to pW conversion modulo atmospheric transmission. [2.3e-3]
nasang (DOUBLE)
Polarisation angle of Nasmyth optics in degrees. [90.0]
naspol (DOUBLE)
Polarisation of Nasmyth optics in percent. [1.0]
nastrans (DOUBLE)
Transmission of Nasmyth optics in percent. [98.0]
ncycle (INTEGER)
Number of cycles through the DREAM pattern. [1]
param1 (DOUBLE)
Name of the first parameter for the sky interpolation scheme specified by " interp" . See docs for astResample in SUN/210. [2.0]
param2 (DOUBLE)
Name of the second parameter for the sky interpolation scheme specified by " interp" . See docs for astResample in SUN/210. [2.0]
refload (DOUBLE)
Reference load in pW. [7.4]
refnoise (DOUBLE)
Reference NEP in pW/sqrt(Hertz). [6.5e-5]
smu_terr (DOUBLE)
SMU timing error in seconds. [0.0]
spike_alpha (DOUBLE)
Index of spike p-law distribution. [-1.5]
spike_p0 (DOUBLE)
Minimum spike power in Jy. [1.0]
spike_p1 (DOUBLE)
Peak spike power in Jy. [1000.0]
spike_t0 (DOUBLE)
Mean time between spikes in seconds. [20.0]
subname (CHAR)
Subarray names for the simulation. Any number of subarrays can be selected in any order. A single subarray can be named as a simple string (e.g. " s8a" ), multiple subarrays can be given using commas and parentheses (e.g. " (s8a,s4a)" . [s8a]
tauzen (DOUBLE)
Optical depth at 225 GHz at the zenith. [0.052583]
telemission (DOUBLE)
Telescope background per pixel in pW. [4.0]
xpoint (DOUBLE)
X pointing offset on the sky in arcseconds. [20.0]
ypoint (DOUBLE)
Y pointing offset on the sky in arcseconds. [20.0]

Related Applications

SMURF: SKYNOISE
Copyright © 2012 University of British Columbia & the Science & Technology Facilities Council