VIVEAN
The microVAX Interactive Analysis System
The Observatory's microVAX, Vivean, was installed in May this year. Vivean stands
for Vax InteractiVE ANalysis system. It provides a significant improvement in
Observatory computing resources particularly for CPU-intensive work that has in
the past run rather slowly on the HP-1000 computers. Visiting observers who have
booked the interactive facilities also have access to Vivean for their EXOSAT
analysis needs. At present spectral and timing data can be passed from the HP
interactive analysis system to Vivean using magnetic tape. Programs to analyse
the spectral data, along with help facilities, are now available as are simple
interactive line graphics and a high quality laser printer hardcopy device. The
timing analysis system is currently being designed and implemented.
Future upgrades for Vivean are: the establishment of a direct link between the
HP's and the microVAX; connection to the international networks, allowing
Observatory personnel to be reached by computer mail (This is in addition to the
BITNET/EARN link that already exists); color graphics, particularly for the
sophisticated two-dimensional timing plots (such as the power versus frequency
and observation time plots used in the study of QPO's); and possibly the
migration of other tools from the HP computers that would allow the direct
extraction of data from FOT's.
Rick Shafer
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