Ultracam Progress Meeting - 14 February 2001

Attendees: Derek Ives, Chris Tierney, Tully Peacock, Vicki Ramsay, David Atkinson

Absences: Vikram Dhillon, Andy Vick

Notes of Meeting:

· Optical

Three quotations have been received for the optics. One is coming across better (Specak) due to the fact that it is affordable (£25K) and they will take responsibility not only for manufacturing but also mounting. We have good experience with this company.

Tully has changed design to use new glass but test results with this new spec are fine. Tully is awaiting a reply from Vik before he finalises the drawings/design ready for manufacture. These changed will mean that Sheffield will have to change mechanical fitting drawings.

· Electronics/Mechanical

David has been doing cabling work and test boxes. He will be beginning to get familiar with the DSP & SDSU works.

Other progress items:

• Chesser Eng. items are now back and look okay.

• First assembly can take place this week along with vacuum test.

• Heat exchanger item is finished and also looks okay.

• Controller has arrived.

• Two PCI boards and Linux machine are here.

• Code ready and CCD to be run on bench.

Red optmised CCD has come in. This was to be manufactured to a specified 'typical value' for dark current, but the delivered CCD has near maximum typical values for dark current. If it does not meet requirements the supplier have agreed to take it back and supply another CCD. Having difficulty producing other two devices (three month delay).

· Software

Software are now getting underway and Andy & Chris have managed four days worth of design work.

Main concerns at the moment are about the internal of camera system and GUI. They are working on command line input with GUI and trying to get web interface going with this, and need at some point to get Derek and David re interface and DSP code.

High level software is being designed in and they are trying to design software that can be moved to another camera if needed (XML code).

Derek queried if time stamping was fitting into model and Chris does not see a problem with this - the dual processor is helping with this. Will use an optical RS232 fibre link from GPS receiver to the PC. This still allows lightning protection instead of using the radio broadcast system.

Cannot provide estimate yet as to how much time the software effort will take, but will provide this before the Review. Have a lot of design but need to tightening it up.

· AOB

Director's Review on 22^nd and David Atkinson is completing the PowerPoint presentation for this.

Design Review is scheduled to take place on 28^th March, but a time is still to be confirmed.

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