realfastvla / realfast

Real-time interferometric data analysis for the VLA

Home Page:http://realfast.io

Geek Repo:Geek Repo

Github PK Tool:Github PK Tool

systematic plan for mock transients

caseyjlaw opened this issue · comments

We have the ability to simulate transients, but do not regularly use it in real-time observing. It would be valuable to implement an end-to-end plan for adding, finding, and tracking mock transients as a regular check of data quality.

Starting to sketch this out. Basic idea:

  • Create database for saving parameters inserted into data.
  • Insert transient randomly into data with range of physical characteristics to allow statistical measurement of detection efficiency with DM, dt, and phase offset.
  • Run detection pipeline blindly and save all candidates, real and mock.
  • Compare candidates to mock database after detection as veto before getting excited.
  • Could optionally use a pseudo-random process to define input parameters. This would allow us to identify mock transients even if the mock database lookup fails.