BalanceTool Estimates 04/17/2009

1. Revision History

04/17/2009 - published initial version.

1. Basic Requirement

   Guide an operator through the basic balancing procedures outlined in:
      Balance_Procedures-draft2.pdf.
   Software will move the telecsope and adjust the weights, walking the operator
   through the 6 steps outline the procedures.

   Software will be executed on the TCS computer, t1. The Operator must be present and
   is responsible for monitoring the BalanceToolprogram and TCS3.

   TCS3 system is written using C and GTK 2.x. It's highly recomended that this software
   be based on these tools.

   FAQ:
   1. How close in balance is the system required to be?

      The software goal it to minimize the currents measured while traveling in
      one direction vs the other.  Giving the telescope its adequate balance
      provide by the movable counterweights.

      BalanceTool not will improved the telescope balance, it just automatics
      the procedure.

      It's known that the telecope is overloaded, doesn't have enough counterweight
      capacity, and future (heavier) insturments are planned.
      No ME counterweights work is scheduled.

      Due to the above, there is no numeric specification for balancing.
      (And currently none exist).

   2. How long should it take?

      A little longer that it take now. (Tony's estimate is about 30 minutes).

      An expert person, or some who does it routinely like once per week, would be faster
      that running the software. The software is not an expert system, but guides
      the operation through the procedure.

      BalanceTool guides and insures the less experience person does it right.

      Note that I shouldn't be used at night, as the DayCrew should balance the telescope
      during the day for the configuration used at night. TO would still need to
      run the correct balance macro file when changing instruments.

   3. What should be done to protect the telescope-- are there damaging failure modes
      and how will the the telescope be protected from harm?
      Will the system require watching or will be be completely autonomous and failsafe?

      During balancing you slew the telescope from Zenith to -3 hrs , 50 degrees away
      from zenith. And during balancing the HA or DEC axis are moving at 400 as/s,
      while the counterweight are adjusted.

      The Telescope Operator is responsible for supervising the operations of the
      telescope and software during it operations.

2. Basic Estimate

   1. Provide Sotware to Automatic Current Procedure:
        4.5 man-week, software programmer*.
          * - assuming denault - who understands TCS balance issue, and the TCS software.

   2. Testing/Tuning of software with Daycrew:

         2 hrs testing with daycrew feedback suggestion.

         1.5 man-days applying changes to code by programmer.

         Repeat until everyone is happy (an endless loop?).
         Or about 4 cycles ( people are satified).

   3. As with any software request, programmer will be taxed with supporting,
      maintaining, and adding 'new' features in the future.