Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope (LCOGT) is developing a worldwide network of fully robotic optical telescopes dedicated to time-domain astronomy. Observatory automation, longitudinal spacing of the sites, and a centralised network scheduler enable a range of observing modes impossible with traditional manual observing from a single location. We discuss the design goals of the LCOGT network scheduler, and in particular examine the unique network characteristics we seek to exploit for novel observing. We present an analysis of the key design trade-offs informing the scheduling architecture and data model, with special emphasis on both the unusual capabilities we have implemented, and some of the limitations of our approach. Finally, we describe some of the lessons we have learnt as we have moved from the beta test phase into full operational deployment in 2014.
Eric Hawkins, Nairn Baliber, Mark Bowman, Timothy Brown, Benjamin Burleson, Steven Foale, Martyn Ford, Timothy Lister, Martin Norbury, Eric Saunders, Zachary Walker
LCOGT is deploying a world-wide telescope network to enable near-continuous coverage of variable or transient
sources. We desire the telescopes in this network to be scheduled for efficiency with respect to a coherent set of
science goals. To achieve this, we are developing a software structure to carry observing programs from initial
proposal through data acquisition and feedback to the schedule. Key elements in this structure are a database
of observation requests, requirements, and status, a protocol to describe observations, and a set of planners that
work by successive refinement of the schedule.
Telescopes capable of making observing decisions independent of human supervision have become a reality in the 21st century. These new telescopes are likely to replace automated systems as the telescopes of choice. A fully robotic implementation offers not only reduced operating costs, but also significant gains in scientific output over automated or remotely operated systems.
The design goals are to maximise the telescope operating time and minimise the cost of diagnosis and repair. However, the demands of a robotic telescope greatly exceed those of its remotely operated counterpart, and the design of the computing system is key to its operational performance.
This paper outlines the challenges facing the designer of these computing systems, and describes some of the principles of design which may be applied. Issues considered include automatic control and efficiency, system awareness, robustness and reliability, access, security and safety, as well as ease-of-use and maintenance. These requirements cannot be considered simply within the context of the application software. Hence, this paper takes into account operating system, hardware and environmental issues. Consideration is also given to accommodating different levels of manual control within robotic telescopes, as well as methods of accessing and overriding the system in the event of failure.
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