Classification as SRDP/non-SRDP based on correlator tuning and science goals

Background

The SRDP webpage states that "The SRDP pipeline is optimized for continuum science. Observations should have wide (~1 GHz or wider) bandwidths (i.e. be focused on continuum science, not on narrow spectral lines)."

However this can lead to some ambiguity when the observation is in a grey area between "obvious" spectral line (e.g. very narrow spectral windows)  and "obvious" continuum (large bandwidth close to or equal to the maximum in that band).

Therefore the following criteria should be used for SRDP:  (note: these are criteria for correlator tuning, not other criteria like which flux density calibrator was used)

• For C-band and higher, if the tuning includes 3-bit (i.e. it's purely 3-bit or it's mixed 3-bit/8-bit) this indicates continuum science (or that it can be used for continuum science) and it qualifies as SRDP. (One way to identify this is if the total bandwidth is > 2 GHz (technically: > 2.048 GHz.)
• For C-band and higher, if the observation is purely 8-bit (i.e. if total bandwidth is at least 2GHz, check the proposal abstract to see if the primary aim includes continuum or spectral line (or both). If the abstract states that the science goals include continuum, then it is SRDP. If it includes continuum and specline, then it is still SRDP. If it includes specline but does not mention continuum, then it is non-SRDP. (Feel free to double-check with a Stage 2 Reviewer if unsure).
• Currently L-band and S-band are non-SRDP. If/when they are eventually added to SRDP, use the following criteria:
  • for L-band: at least 1 GHz of total bandwidth, and no individual basebands < 500 MHz
  • for S-band: at least 2 GHz of total bandwidth, and no individual basebands < 1000 MHz

After a lengthy discussion in the Pipeline Operations meeting on Wednesday Dec 13th 2023, the decision was made to focus on the science goal(s) at higher priority than correlator tuning. These are the current criteria:

1. If the science goal includes spectral line then the observation is NOT SRDP, regardless of whether continuum is also a science goal. (Subject to change in the future when a spectral line calibration pipeline is available.)
   
   1. Reminder: solar observing and pulsar observing are NOT SRDP.
2. If it's still unclear: try falling back to the earlier criteria above regarding total bandwidth coverage. However: if there are any narrow spectral windows, the observation is NOT SRDP. Feel free to check with a Stage 2 Reviewer if unsure.

Action items