FORS (FOcal Reducer and Low Dispersion Spectrograph), a multi-mode optical instrument mounted on the Very Large Telescope's (VLT) UT1 Cassegrain focus, gets a new look. The upgrade, known as FORS-Up (FORS-Upgrade), is being carried out by ESO and INAF-OATs, and includes, beside replacement of some optical components, the replacement of all the motors, the development of a new calibration unit, the adoption of a new detector, and the design of a control electronics based on the new ELT standards. The refurbishment work has started on the twin spectrograph FORS1, decommissioned in 2009 which was sent to the integration premises of the Astronomical Observatory of Trieste. After resuming the final design of the control electronics, this paper presents the PLC software implementation and the current state of the electronics integration with the new mechanics carried out at INAF-OATs. It also focuses on the ELT-based software and hardware solutions that have been adopted to meet the performance and safety requirements for the motorized functions that control the multiobject spectroscopy blades and the scientific exposure shutter and require customized applications.
KEYWORDS: Equipment, Control software, Spectroscopes, Control systems, Telescopes, Astronomical instrumentation, Telescope instrument control software, Software development
FORS2 (FOcal Reducer/low dispersion Spectrograph) is a multimode (imaging, polarimetry, long slit and multi-object spectroscopy) optical instrument mounted on the Cassegrain focus of the UT1 of ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT). Its versatility and large wavelength range (330-1100 nm) make it one of the most requested instruments at the VLT. To keep it operational for at least the next 15 years, the FORS upgrade project (FORS-Up), a collaboration between ESO and INAF-OATs, was started: the twin spectrograph FORS1, decommissioned in 2009, has been sent to Europe and is currently undergoing a complete refurbishment in the integration hall of the Astronomical Observatory of Trieste. Once the upgrade is finished, FORS1 will replace FORS2 at the VLT. In this paper, we report the status of the work currently in progress on the control software: the original one is based on the VLT standards, and it is now being reimplemented within the new ELT (Extremely Large Telescope) software framework. New GUIs have been designed for FORS, which give the user in-depth control over the instrument; new templates for observational, engineering and maintenance procedures have been developed; hardware components have been configured, either as standard devices or as special devices (requiring customized solutions). The upgrade will ensure the continued operation of FORS and represent an invaluable testbed for the new ELT software framework.
ESO is in the process of upgrading one of the two FORS (FOcal Reducer/low dispersion Spectrograph) instruments – a multi-mode (imaging, polarimetry, long-slit, and multi-object spectroscopy) optical instrument mounted on the Cassegrain focus of Unit Telescope 1 of ESO’s Very Large Telescope. FORS1 was moved from Chile to Trieste, and is undergoing complete refurbishment, including the exchange of all motorised parts. In addition, new software is developed, based on the Extremely Large Telescope Instrument Control Software Framework, as the upgraded FORS1 will be the first instrument in operations to use this framework. The new Teledyne e2V CCD has now been procured and is undergoing testing with the New Generation Controller at ESO. In addition, a new set of grisms have been developed, and a new set of filters will be purchased. A new internal calibration unit has been designed, making the operations more efficient.
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