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| Paper: |
GBT Dynamic Scheduling System: Algorithms, Metrics, and Simulations |
| Volume: |
411, Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems XVIII |
| Page: |
330 |
| Authors: |
Balser, D.S.; Bignell, C.; Braatz, J.; Clark, M.; Condon, J.; Harnett, J.; O’Neil, K.; Maddalena, R.; Marganian, P.; McCarty, M.; Sessoms, E.; Shelton, A. |
| Abstract: |
We discuss the scoring algorithm of the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) Dynamic Scheduling System (DSS). Since the GBT is located in a continental, mid-latitude region where weather is dominated by water vapor and small-scale effects, the weather plays an important role in optimizing the observing efficiency of the GBT. We score observing sessions as a product of many factors. Some are continuous functions while others are binary limits taking values of 0 or 1, any one of which can eliminate a candidate session by forcing the score to zero. Others reflect management decisions to expedite observations by visiting observers, ensure the timely completion of projects, etc. Simulations indicate that dynamic scheduling can increase the effective observing time at frequencies higher than 10 GHz by about 50% over one full year. Beta tests of the DSS during Summer 2008 revealed the significance of various scheduling constraints and telescope overhead time to the overall observing efficiency. |
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