Technology Development Center Response Form Joint CSTG/IERS Call for Participation International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry Technology Development Center name: Goddard Space Flight Center Parent/Funding organization: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Name and title of primary technical contact: Thomas A. Clark, VLBI Program Manager Name and title of administrative contact: William. T. Wildes, GSFC VLBI Network Manager Mailing address: NASA Code , Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA Phone: 1-301-286-5957 Fax: 1-301-286-0213 E-mail address: clark@tomcat.gsfc.nasa.gov Web address: http://lupus.gsfc.nasa.gov Describe your primary activities in VLBI technology development. We develop and maintain SKED, the Field System, and station software for VLBI operations. We develop new hardware and software. We develop innovative techniques for the measurement of ancillary data including timing data. We assist with deployment, installation, and training for new hardware. We develop and distribute VLBI operational procedures and experiment scheduling techniques for geodesy. We provide experts for training and evaluation of stations. Describe any planned facility upgrades: None. Number of full-time-equivalent personnel assigned to technology development center functions: 2 Indicate which of the following IVS Technology Development Center functions you will perform and explain briefly how you will perform them: Design new hardware. We will design new hardware to improve the calibration of VLBI data. In particular we will design hardware for calibrating timing, instrumental delays, and providing other ancillary data. Investigate new equipment. We will investigate new equipment consistent with improving the VLBI technique, operations, and reducing maintenance costs. We will recommend new equipment that we feel that will be useful either in conjunction with new hardware we design, with the existing equipment, or in place of existing equipment. Generate new information systems. We will investigate new information systems including WWW based systems to assist with VLBI scheduling, operations, and maintenance. Develop, test, and document prototypes. We will develop, test and document new hardware and software prototypes for use in VLBI scheduling, operations, and maintenance. We will also work with other technology centers to assist with testing and documentation of new hardware and software they develop as needed. Develop new software. We will develop new software for use with SKED and/or the Field System or by itself to improve VLBI scheduling and operations. We will continue to develop and extend SKED and the Field System. We will continue to develop the VEX file parser and participate in the development of the VEX file format. Assist with new technology deployment, installation, and training. We will assist with the deployment, installation, and training of new hardware and software developed both by us and other technology development centers. For reliable scheduling and operations it is important to provide an integrated view of the use and training in the use of all the sub-systems involved in VLBI. We will provide expert advice on VLBI operations and geodetic scheduling. In coordination with the training organized by the IVS Coordinating Center we will provide technical content for periodic training sessions on VLBI operations for the general community. We will provide experts for periodic visits to provide testing and training at particular stations. This will be necessary in particular when significant new hardware and software sub- subsystems are deployed or when there is significant turnover in station personnel. We will assist stations in the development of station specific software to customize the Field System for station specific hardware and software. Provide maintenance functions. We will continue to maintain SKED, the Field System, operational procedures, and any new software that we develop or are designated to maintain. Attach a list of personnel (names and titles) whom you designate as IVS Associate Members through their affiliation with your technology development center. Thomas. A Clark , Geophysicist, GSFC, clark@tomcat.gsfc.nasa.gov W. E. Himwich, Field System Software, NVI Inc./GSFC, weh@vega.gsfc.nasa.gov Chuck A. Kodak, MV3 Manager, ATSC, Mv3@cddis.gsfc.nasa.gov Nancy R. Vandenberg, VLBI Manager, NVI Inc./GSFC, nrv@gemini.gsfc.nasa.gov W. T. Wildes, GSFC VLBI Network Manager, GSFC, wtw@wildbill.gsfc.nasa.gov Please provide any other information that you feel will be helpful in demonstrating the capabilities of your technology development center to participate in the IVS. If you proposed to the IERS in 1995/6 as a technical development center and wish to have that proposal carry over to the IVS, please make such a statement in this proposal. The individuals involved in this work (and listed above as designated IVS Associate Members) have been integrally involved in the hardware and software developed for VLBI systems. Clark has been involved in the development of the Mark III/IV hardware systems and has most recently developed the TAC GPS timing receiver. He insights and understanding of the system are important to the calibration of the VLBI systems for accurate UT1 measurement. Himwich has been involved in development and maintenance of the Field System. He is currently responsible for ongoing development of this software. Vandenberg has been the primary, and is the ongoing, developer of the SKED software. Your signature on this form indicates your agreement to participate in the IVS as a Technology Development Center and to work closely with the IVS Technology Coordinator. 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 Bosworth Title: Associate Chief, Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics Signature: _________________________________________ Date:________________