Correlator Response Form
             Joint CSTG/IERS Call for Participation
     International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry


Correlator name:    MIT Haystack Observatory Correlator

Parent/Funding organization:   NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 

Name and title of primary technical contact: 
             Dr. Alan R. Whitney, Associate Director

Name and title of administrative contact:    
             Dr. Arthur E. Niell, Principal Research Scientist

Mailing address:   Haystack Observatory, Westford, MA 01886

Phone:         1-978-692-4764           Fax:      1-781-981-0590
E-mail address:     awhitney@haystack.mit.edu     
Web address: 

List the networks/programs for which you correlate data. CORE, CRF

Indicate correlator capacity:  Number of baselines_8_  Number of
stations__7__ Number of playback units_7_ Hours of operation per week____22___

Number of full-time-equivalent personnel assigned to correlator functions: 3

Percentage of time correlator is used: geodesy/astrometry _12%_
other (list): 13% (astronomy)
Percentage of total correlator capacity that is unused    ___75%_

Internet connection type or bit rate:  T1     Data storage capacity:   15 GB

Data Center(s) you use:            cddis

Describe any planned facility upgrades: 4-station Mark IV correlator - 1999

Indicate which of the following IVS Correlator functions you
perform and explain briefly how you will provide them:
     Receive, process, and archive VLBI data: We receive
VLBI data tapes via mail or express services and enter them into
the tape data base. Sessions are processed using the allocated
correlator time. We also take advantage of some "unused" time
when personnel with other duties are available (on a non-
interference basis) to start correlator jobs. Data are processed
and archived following standard procedures for Mark IIIA
correlators.
     Provide timely feedback to stations: We send a message
about the results of prepassing to the VLBI bulletin board. We
also send a summary message about the full processing. If a
serious problem is encountered during prepass or processing we
contact the directly the station involved to try to work out the
problems.
     Maintain community tape pool: We coordinate tape usage
with the other correlators and follow the plans set up by the
GSFC operations manager. We assist with diagnosis of tape
problems and we have established guidelines for the disposition
of problem tapes. As a service to the community we re-package and
test all new tapes before they are entered into the geodetic
community tape pool. We also coordinate the purchases of new
tapes to ensure uniform quality of products.
     Make data available to the Analysis Centers: We prepare
export files for analysis centers that are available for
electronic transfer. We maintain archives of all processed data
and log files.
     Compare processing techniques, models, and outputs: To
ensure consistent processing and the quality of results, our
daily routine involves comparing processing output with previous
correlator output. All software, algorithms, and models are
always shared among all three Mark III correlators. We have been
active participants in comparisons of Mark III and VLBA
correlator output, and we will take the lead in comparing the
Mark IV output with Mark III and VLBA correlator outputs.

Attach a list of personnel (names and titles) whom you designate
as IVS Associate Members through their affiliation with your
correlator.
     Dr. Brian Corey, Research Scientist, bcorey@haystack.edu
     Dr. Roger Cappallo, Research Scientist, rcappallo@haystack.edu
     Dr. Colin Lonsdale, Research Scientist, clonsdale@haystack.edu
     Dr. Arthur Niell, Principal Research Scientist, aniell@haystack.edu
     Don Sousa, dsousa@haystack.edu
     Mike Titus, mtitus@haystack.edu
     Dr. Alan Whitney, Associate Director, awhitney@haystack.edu

Please provide any other information that you feel will be
helpful in demonstrating your correlator's capabilities to
participate in the IVS. If you proposed to the IERS in 1995/6 as
a correlator facility and wish to have that proposal carry over
to the IVS, please make such a statement in this proposal.

Your signature on this form indicates your agreement to
participate in the IVS as a Correlator and to cooperate with the
IVS Coordinating Center and with the IVS Coordinators. If this is
a new proposal (i.e. not carried over from IERS) your signature
commits your organization to participate in the IVS.

Name of person signing:  John M. Bosworth    
Title:    Associate Chief, Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics

Signature: _________________________________________   Date: _________________