EVN Technical and Operations Group

The Technical and Operations Group (TOG) is responsible for advising the EVN Consortium Board of Directors on all aspects of technical and operational issues relevant to the reliability and performance of the network. The TOG is also the body which implements technical and operational upgrades across the network.

The chairman of the TOG is Walter Alef (MPIfR, Bonn). The vice-chair is Gino Tuccari (IRA, Noto).

Latest news on EVN developments

• MkV: Data recording rates of 1024 Mbit/s successfully tested at Onsala, Jodrell Bank, Westerbork, Effelsberg, Medicina, Noto. Complete status is here.
• Network verification via ftp data transfer is being introduced for improved network reliability.
• VLBI software correlator package released by KSRC/CRL to JIVE.
• First Gb/sec fringes at the EVN correlator at JIVE.
• Kashima-WSRT fringes via the KSRC/CRL VLBI software correlator.
• First EVN image using MkV-MkV baseline data.
• Off-source data flagging (UVFLG) files can now be produced automatically for EVN stations.
• High Sensitivity L-band EVN 512 Mbit/s observations.
• As of February 2002 continuous TSYS measurements can be made at EVN stations.

Other information

• The EVNtech E-mail exploder, the main way Technical and Operational information is shared and communicated within the EVN.
• Minutes of the Minutes of the TOG.
• The last meeting of the TOG was held at the Madrid Deep Space Communication Complex (EVN Robledo station) on 30 June 2003.
• The next TOG meeting will be held in Wettzell, Germany on April 1, 2004 - followed by a mini-workshop on April, 2.
• Network Performance and EVN Feedback Pages (Telescope Reports by Experiment)
• A description of the use of GPS measurements at EVN stations, including the format for GPS logs deposited on VLBEER.
• Clock delays introduced by different filters on MkIV-VLBA baselines. A table to correct MkIV-VLBA baselines for the clock jumps introduced when the filters are changed.
• EVN Operations web page (inc. archives of the EVN TOG Mailing-Lists: EVN performance, calibration, recorder maintenance, formatters, polarisation, RFI, logistics etc.
• The EVN development programme, a list of ongoing upgrade projects (including the Formatter firmware upgrade.)
• A list of Obsolete VLBI Components maintained by Paul Burgess (JBO) and some possible alternatives.
• The Bologna Rules - a code of practice adopted by the EVN telescopes w.r.t. all logistical matters (tape shipment, deposition of logs etc).