The Improvement of a VLBI Monitoring System

In this paper we mainly discuss the design ideas, functions, communication mechanisms, and related issues of the software of a Mark5B monitoring system, which incorporates a Mark5B recording system. Mark5B recording systems are currently widely used in astronomical observation stations around the world. Mark5B recording systems are among the most advanced terminal recording systems, A Mark5B recording system is an important part of a VLBI terminal system. Our main purpose of developing the software of a Mark5B monitoring system is to improve the reliability of a VLBI terminal system, i.e. to ensure the effectiveness and high quality of VLBI measurement data. The software is designed under the Qt-based development environment and uses the signals/slots as a secure communication mechanism. The graphical interfaces of the software were designed in the Qt Creator IDE. The data collections and network communications of the software are realized in the Qt Creator IDE as well. The Mark5B monitoring system with the software is suitable not only for astrophysical observations but also for VLBI geodetic surveys. The software will be used in the Chinese VLBI Network stations other than the Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory.