ALMA SSR Committee Phone Meeting 2002-06-12

Connection Details

• Call date: 2002-06-12 (Wednesday)
• Call time: 15:00 UT
• Duration: 1 hr
• USA Toll Free Number: 888-455-0058
• USA Toll Number: +1-212-287-1629
• Passcode: 50846
• Leader: Robert Lucas

Minutes

1. Subsystem Scientist assignments (R. Lucas)
   As accepted by Computing Management:

   Control	(NRAO)	Jeff Mangum
   Baseline Correlator	(NRAO)	Steve Scott
   Scheduling	(NRAO)	Mel Wright
   Pipeline	(NRAO)	Chris Wilson
   Off-Line Analysis	(NRAO)	Steve Myers
   Proposal Preparation	(UKATC)	xx
   Telescope Calibration	(IRAM)	John Richer
   Archiving	(ESO)	Francois Viallefond
   Data Reduction User Interfaces	(IRAM)	Peter Schilke
   Executive	(ESO)	yy

   
   B. Glendenning outlined the list as published in the agenda. For proposal preparation, "xx" is to be a new European SSR member, appointment pending. The necessity of having a "yy" to oversee the Executive software is TBD as that subsystem does not have large scale scientific implications. Glendenning [see action] will publish the list of subsystem scientists to the subsystem leads. At a minimum, subsystem scientists should be put on any appropriate subsystem mailing lists and monthly meetings should start in the coming weeks.
   
   
2. Status of memo 11 review (all) [see working documents]
   K. Tatematsu reported that following the discussion in Granada he has revised the draft replies to comments and drafted the changes into the document for Archiving. He would like feedback on this [see action]. Schilke reported that since Granada little work has been done on the Pipeline section, but expects that he and Gueth can complete their work by the end of June. The review meeting is still required since the external reviewers need their chance to comment before final disposition. Glendenning hopes that this meeting can be scheduled before too much more time passes.
   
   
3. Status of Aips++ rating and benchmarking (Steve Myers)
   • Just before the meeting Myers circulated a proposal for carrying out an audit of AIPS++ capabilities. This first auditing would involve a three-level scheme (adequate, inadequate, not available). The proposed timeline would have a first draft available for formal discussion with the AIPS++ group in August (although informal communications would be happening before then) with a final version to be ready for the ASAC meeting. He would like feedback on this proposal [see action]. The intention is to have the check-list available by July 1.
   • The subject of benchmarking was briefly raised. Myers did not think that it would be feasible to do both in parallel. Scott asked if the order of the benchmarking and the auditing could be reversed. Glendenning stated that he would prefer that the auditing be performed first. Myers mentioned that there is background work to define the standard datasets and related items that needs to be defined before benchmarking can start in earnest. Wright noted that he is producing some standard datasets and benchmarking them in Miriad. While he doesn't intend to benchmark them in AIPS++ himself this work is available to be picked up.
   • R. Lucas added that A. Kemball and K. Golap are coming to Grenoble for 1 or 2 weeks. It is expected that Phase 1 of the AIPS++/PdB test will be completed at this visit and it is hoped that much of Phase 2 will be as well. Lucas further noted that the developed framework might be useful for the benchmarking tests.
   
   
   
4. Approval of modified data rate note as distributed on May 6th (Steve Scott) [note]
   This new version was written after the discussion of memo 11 in Granada had shown an inconsistency between the previous version of the data rate note and our main requirements document (in particular paragraph 3 needed to be modified). The peak acceptable rate handling mentioned in the note is not in contradiction with 7.2-R6. Brian and Gianni will prepare a change request to ALMA Change Request Board to increase the data rates, as mentioned in the Note. For this they will evaluate the budgetary implications.
   
   
5. Use of SiteScape for working documents? (Robert Lucas)
   SiteScape has many advantages as a common working area (possible sharing of work files with access from all sides), and keeps all versions of a document. It is possible to search all documents too. The drawback is that each one has to enter a password to get in. Brian will make sure that all SSR members get an access. Robert will put past minutes and documents there; the idea is to give it a try for one or two months and decide after this if we go on using it.
   
   
6. Date of next phone meeting July 10th 15:00 UT

Action list

1. B. Glendenning will publish the list of subsystem scientists to subsystem leads.
   
   
2. B. Glendenning, G. Raffi: Start an official ALMA Change request for data rates, following the new note by S. Scott et al.
   
   
3. All: to feedback on changes in Archive section and Simulator section of memo 11. (June 30)
   
   
4. F. Gueth, P. Schilke: edit replies to reviewers and new version of pipeline chapter (June 30)
   
   
5. All: to feedback Steve Myers' audit proposal (June 20).
   
   
6. R. Lucas: to activate the SSR area in SiteScape.
   
   
7. B. Glendenning: to activate access to SiteScape for all SSR members.