Starting the IR System

To start the IR system, one should first log into the instrument computer (ctioa1 at the 4m) as ``irs''. The password should be written on the cover of this manual. Reply <cr> to the question about Xterm, then start the OpenWindows environment. The console screen should look approximately like Fig. 3 below; the dashed window labeled Instrument Status will appear in the approximate position shown only after the instrument microcode has been loaded.

If the IRAF ``cl>'' prompt is not present in the IRAF Xterm window, go there and enter goiraf, then go to the Instrument Control window and enter startwf. This will lead through an interactive startup procedure.

If the computer or the Heurikon DSP box in the computer room has been powered down, and only if either has been powered down, it is necessary to run the auxiliary ``cold_start'' script. Note: it will be necessary to reboot the Sun computer, so ensure that no one else is using it. Follow the procedure below exactly:

• Verify that the Heurikon DSP box is powered up
• Turn OFF intrument power to IRS (switch on small box in console room)
• Turn Heurikon DSP power OFF for about 30 seconds, then ON
• Reboot the instrument computer (ctioa1 or ctioa2)

  1.

  Logout of the Sun Console

  2.

  Enter the login name as halt

  3.

  Enter the password docrash

  4.

  When the console returns ``ok'' enter boot

• When rebooting complete, login as irs
• Answer <cr> to the Xterm prompt
• In the Instrument Control window, at the prompt: irs
• Follow the instructions in this procedure, turning ON the instrument power to the IRS when requested

  1.

  Press<return>

  2.

  Answery to the DSP box power question

  3.

  Answery to the instrument power question

  4.

  Turn on the instrument power now

  5.

  Answery to the instrument power being on

  6.

  Answery to wanting windows

  7.

  AnswerIRS (note it must be all caps) to the instrument selection

• The downloading procedure should complete with a ``%'' prompt
• Typesetup irs (note this must be all lower case)
• Continue with the normal startup below

When the ``%'' prompt appears, enter setup irs (note small letters) to load a standard setup and microcode into the instrument. This should be done as soon as possible after the power has been turned on. The screen will print messages on the setting of Vdoff0 (-2.19), Vdoff1 (-2.00), and Voff (0.45) and then prompt for the entry of the detector bias; the suggested value for all but high background operation is 0.55v. For operation in the L band, a value of 0.8 will approximately double the well capacity, at the cost of significant increase in dark current (although still far less than the effects due to the L band background). Changing the bias during a night is possible but specific flats, calibrations, etc., are required; using other than 0.55 v is suggested only for dedicated high-background programs. The instrument is now ready for operation.

If difficulties are encountered in startup, entering trouble in any of the windows (except the Instrument Control) will open a troubleshooting diagnostic, listing symptoms and possible solutions. In addition, comments, suggestions, and descriptions of persistent problems should be emailed to bgregory@noao.edu or your staff contact.