FOS IDT Report RSDP/FOS-005

Background Subtraction

V. Junkkarinen 1987 January 5



Abstract


The FOS RSDP software routines that perform background subtraction are
tested by using da.ta files genera.ted to exercise the options
a.vailable for background subtraction. These tests indicate that the
software does correctly subtract a background a.rray in both the
reference flle mode and in the mode in which a. separate ~Y-step
containing the background is included in the observation. When a
separate Y-step is included in the observation, the software
properly filters the background arra.y prior to subtraction. Some
detailed notes are included in this report to allow cornparison of
these tests with tests of future releases of the software. lt is
recommended that the softwaxe be modified to allow averaging the
entire background Y-step to provide a global background
countrate. This modifica.tion can be given bw priority since it is
likely that not many FOS observations will have a separate Y-step to
measure background.