Please Note: This schema is out of date.  If you have any interest in it I can update it for you - just ask.

The Remote SETI Language (RSL) is being developed to control a Remote SETI station.  The first instance of its use is on the SETI Net (www.seti.net) SETI League Argus station.

RSL is based on the XML-RPC schema and it is traced to and is consistent with the schem maintained on this web site.  It is developed with XML Spy.

Note: the 'set' commands (like setAntenna) are only available to the current Master Client (MC).  The 'get' commands are available to all clients.

Remote SETI Protocol

setLogin -     [ return to index ]

The client sends this command to the Remote Server for a call to the  Login remote procedure.  The XML contains the Station ID.  The ID may be your computers IP address or your Argus station ID and a password.  The password is optional but will allow additional undefined functions if it is present and verified.

The client will either have to know the address of the Remote SETI Server or must discover it by accessing http://www.seti.net/ and extracting the address from that sites header information.  This will be:

<meta name="RemoteSETI" content="66.27.116.71">

Since the Remote SETI Server is located on a dynamic IP address it may change from time to time.  Its current IP will be maintained on WWW.SETI.Net by me.

The complete XML-RPC is:

getStatus -   [ return to index ]

This call will return the entire status for the Remote SETI station. 

• Version numbers of the latest released client and the current server software
• Antenna Server Ready - The software that controls the antenna is online and ready to be used.
• Antenna Selected - The number of the antenna currently in use
• Antenna Ready - The antenna has been 'homed' and is now at some known azimuth and elevation angle
• Demo Mode - The Antenna Server is simulating antenna movement (saves ware and tear on the antenna rotor)
• AzView - Defines the major view point of the antenna, North, East, South, or West.  This is a mechanical setup made by wrenches and sweat but can be done if a particular star is needed.
• ElMin, ElMax, AzMin, AzMax - The maximum and minimum angles of the antenna.  It is used to set the annular rings on the display.  This is also a mechanical setup and may change from time to time.
• A broadcast message if available
• The receiver number in use
• Receiver operating mode, frequency and its mute state.
• Receiver IF shift settings.

setMessage     [ return to index ]

The client wishes to send a short, one line, message to the operator of the Remote SETI Server.  The first parameter is the normal station ID the second is the short message.

(none)

setAnt  [ return to index ]

Selects one of the SETI net antennas to become operational.  After this command all antenna command will effect this antenna.

Currently their is only one antenna (antenna #1) which is a 12 foot paraclipse as described at www.SETI.Net

getAntAzEl  [ return to index ]

The client wishes to be updated with the current antenna Azimuth and Elevation.  This is returned in a XML structure along with the name of the current Master Client.

If the returned Master Client is the same as the Argus ID reported by this client the client becomes the Master Client.  In this role the client can request movement of the antenna and may set the receiver parameters.  If this client stops the update process a one minute time will start counting down.  If at the end of one minute there has been no new update requests from this client (getAntennaAzEl) the client is no longer the Master Client and can not control the antenna or receiver.

If the client shuts of his refresh and no other client comes on line to be refreshed after the one minute timeout; this client will still be the master. After the time out the next client to be refreshed becomes the master client. On this release there is no way to decline Client Master.  There is no 'sleepy client' time out either .

The server starts a one minute timer when a client becomes the Master Client.  Each time that client is refreshed the timer is 'pumped up' for another minute.  When the timer runs out a new client is selected.

setAntBPF   [ return to index ]

Command to engage the Band Pass Filter located after the LNA and before the line amplifier on the SETI Net station.  This filter has 3 db skirts at 1375 and 1450 MHz

Call

Response

setAntAzEl   [ return to index ]

Command to move the current antenna to the selected azimuth and elevation

setRec   [ return to index ]

Command to select the receiver for further operation.  After this command all receiver command will act on that receiver.

Currently there is only one receiver (number 1) which is the WiNRADiO 1500i modified as described at www.SETI.Net

Call

(none)

setRecPwr  [ return to index ]

Sets the current receiver selected power either on or off.  The response will indicate the resulting power setting of the receiver.  If the receiver cannot be turned on the response will indicate OFF.  Use this response to enable the receiver user interface in the client side software.

setRecFreq   [ return to index ]

Sets the currently selected receiver to the requested frequency.  Frequency is expressed in units of Hertz.

(none)

  [ return to index ]

Picks up the currently selected receiver to the requested frequency.  Frequency is returned in units of Hertz.