SETI League Technical Manual -- SoftwareEditor's Note: RAOOS, the Radio Astronomy Observatory Operating System, was initially named PAOOS (Project Argus Observatory Operating System). The development team changed the name in June 1999, to emphasize broader applicability for the software suite than had initially been envisioned.
RAOOS is a Windows 95/98/NT based program designed for the collection and submission of data collected by Radio Observatories. RAOOS executes at each of the Antenna Network sites and interfaces the site with a Data Collection and Analysis Core.
RAOOS execution is divided into two district modes, Configuration Mode and Run Mode. Configuration mode provides the operator with the ability to structure the data collection process. This includes the adding and removal of processing modules and module connections. In Run Mode RAOOS collects data and displays the status of the Observatory including graphic representations of the data being processed.
Configuration Mode
As shown in Figure 1 the first release of RAOOS includes the following modules:
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Also shown Figure 1 are a series of blue line connections between module ports. Module connections are initiated by clicking on the output port (solid square, triangle, or circle) and completed by dragging the connection to the destination module input port (open square, triangle, or circle). Backward connections are not currently supported but expected in the next release. The first release of RAOOS supports the following types of module ports:
Once a configuration has been completed, data collection may be initiated by selecting the "Tools | Run" menu option or by clicking on the equivalent toolbar icon.
Run Mode
As shown in Figure 2, RAOOS in Run Mode displays a series of status panels one for each module included in the configuration. The status panel contains the module number and name along with various fixed and variable fields. For example the Clock module displays Local Date and Time, Local Sidereal Time, UTC Date and Time, UTC Sidereal Time, and Julian Date. Options are provided to enable or disable the display of the status panels.
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Also included in the Run Mode display are any graphic representations added to the configuration. A maximized example of a graphic display is shown in Figure 3. The example contains both a bar chart representation of the current power spectrum along with a waterfall display of the integrated spectra over time.
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Figure 4 is an image of data collected from the GPS Band. It clearly shows signals from several different satellites. In this case, the receiver audio response has not been compensated.
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Development Status: As of July 1999, the RAOOS software suite is undergoing Beta testing by a small group of Project Argus volunteers. Final release will be announced on The SETI League website. The completed RAOOS suite is envisioned as "workware," with the first release to be distributed free of charge to all registered and fully participating Project Argus stations, as determined at the discretion of The SETI League, Inc. This software is Copyright © 1999 by SETI League members Brian Adam and R.J. Fear, who retain all rights to the code.
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