An implementation of the ATST virtual instrument model

The Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) is intended to be the premier facility for experimental solar physics. A premium has been placed on operating ATST as a laboratory-style observatory to maximize the flexibility available to solar physicists. In particular, the main observation platform is a rotating coude platform supporting eight optical benches on which instruments may be assembled from available components. The Virtual Instrument Model has been developed to formalize the operation of a facility where instruments may exist for a single experiment before components are reassembled into a new instrument. The model allows the laboratory-style operation to fit easily within a typical modern telescope control system. This paper presents one possible implementation of the Virtual Instrument Model that is based on the container/component model becoming increasing popular in software development.