Home

Documentation

Project Support

D. Controller Socket Level

Each STARGRASP boardset controls up to 2 independent detector devices (referred to as "dev 0" and "dev 1"). Each of these two devices can have up to 8 output amplifiers (16 channels per daq board.) These commands take a similar name="value" parameter syntax as the demo scripts. Follow the links to see possible parameter lists for each of these. Documentation for some low level commands is still under construction. If you require additional information for a command, please request it.

  • reset - Reset the controller software into its original power-on state.
  • console - Turn on or off serial port console feedback
  • dev - Select detector device 0 or 1
  • adc - Set ADC operating modes
  • clk - Get or set digital output bits
  • dac - Get or set DAC channel (apply voltages)
  • readcal - Calibrate internal signal offset
  • detsize - Set amplifiers width,height,prescan
  • clvset - Set clocking parameter(s) from cestlavie
  • clean - Clean the CCD of charge
  • settrig - Select cross-trigger sync for next readout
  • readout - Read pixels into memory buffer

In some applications, STARGRASP is able to drive the camera shutter directly. These additional commands apply:

  • etime - Set the next shutter exposure time
  • etype - Set the next exposure type (o/b/d)
  • expose - Take a timed exposure
  • exposing - Check the status of a non-blocking timed exposure
  • shutter - Manually open or close the shutter

STARGRASP was designed to support the unique features of Orthogonal Transfer Arrays. When controlling OTA CCDs, the following apply:

  • otacal - A version of readcal that calibrates each cell
  • celldes - Designate cell usage (Science, video, etc.)
  • cellsel - Set designated cells to select, standby or float
  • pixtype - Set OTA pixel type I or II (or 0 for CCD)
  • ot - Preliminary command to perform "OT shifts" on an OTA CCD

The system also provides various configuration & logistics operations:

  • ifconfig - Displays/sets networking configuration
  • ntp - Displays/sets experimental NTP client
  • leds - Controls diagnostic LEDs on the FPGA board