Implementation of a Geodetic Path at the JIVE Correlator

Abstract

This paper reports on the progress towards the implementation of a complete geodetic path for the EVN Software Correlator at JIVE (SFXC). It is con-ducted as part of the JUMPING JIVE project funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the EU.JUMPING JIVE is dedicated to enhance the position of JIVE and the European VLBI Network (EVN) within the future of radio astronomy. This includes implementation of new capabilities, among which is the possibility to correlate geodetic-type experiments and export them in a standard fashion so that they can be further processed by the usual geodetic software packages.The implementation of this new capability requires (i)to make SFXC able to handle complex geodetic-like schedules with sub-netting, and (ii) to incorporate total quantities and measured phase-cal values in the data provided to the users. To facilitate post-processing, it was also decided to convert the correlator output to the standard geodetic Mark4 format. All such developments are now complete. To test the implementation,we have reprocessed IVS session R1872 and compared the output from SFXC with that obtained at the DIFX correlator in Bonn, where the session was originally processed. The methodology is explained here and partial results of the comparison are given. These indicate a 5.5 ps wrms for the Total Multiband Delay difference between the two correlator