Simulating the performance of large format sub-mm focal-plane arrays

A robust measurement of the clustering amplitude of the sub-mm population of starburst galaxies requires large-area surveys (much greater than 1 deg(2)). Since even the largest-format arrays subtend only 10 arcmin(2) on the sky then scan-mapping is a necessary observing mode. Providing realistic representations of the extragalactic sky and atmosphere, as the input to a detailed simulator of the telescope and instrument performance, allows important decisions to be made about the design of large-area fully-sampled surveys and observing strategies. Our simulations include detector noise, time-constants and array geometry, telescope pointing errors, scan speeds and scanning angles, sky noise and sky rotation.