[evla-sw-discuss] total power

[Bill Sahr]

During the LO/IF PDR it became clear that total
power measurements may be used more widely in 
the system than previously thought.  I would like
to connect this impression to a statement made 
by Barry - that TP measurements made every 2 ms
are really not necessary for the EVLA.  Every
10ms or so would be adequate.

It would be useful, and may be important, that
the MIB not be asked to deal with TP measurements
every 2 ms if 10ms is sufficient.  The 10 ms
interval would leave a great deal more spare time
for the MIB to attend to other tasks.  The issue
here is not one of network traffic.  If measurements
were needed only every 10ms, but arriving at the MIB 
every 2 ms, the MIB could average (or discard) and
send out the values at 10ms intervals.  Rather,
the issue is one of not occupying the MIB with 
work that does not need to be done.  The current
plan is to use the ALMA device, unmodified, for
the TP measurements for the EVLA.  Would it be simple
or complex, time-consuming or trivial, expensive
or cheap to modify the ALMA device to produce TP
measurements at a rate appropriate to the needs
of the EVLA ?  Would it be desirable to do so ?