RECORDING FORMATS

The VLBA records data on Mark 5A disk-based systems in VLBA format. Although the VLBA cannot record Mark 4 format as such, there is a high degree of compatibility between Mark 4 and VLBA formats. In general, disks in either VLBA or Mark 4 formats can be played back, for the same observation if necessary, on any VLBA or Mark 4 correlator.

As part of the VLBA sensitivity upgrade, we have a goal to convert the VLBA to Mark 5C recording systems by 2010. The data then will be ``format-free'' data recorded as standard disk files, though there will be a compatibility mode possible to record in formats useful for earlier versions of Mark 5 hardware correlators.