GravEn: Software for the simulation of gravitational wave detector network response

TL;DR

GravEn is a MATLAB software tool that simulates the response of various gravitational wave detectors to different incident signals, aiding in the development and testing of data analysis methods for gravitational wave detection.

Contribution

This paper introduces GravEn, a flexible MATLAB package that models gravitational wave detector responses with detailed control over signal parameters, supporting multiple detector types.

Findings

Enables realistic simulation of gravitational wave signals

Supports multiple detector configurations including LIGO, GEO, Virgo, TAMA

Facilitates testing of data analysis methods for gravitational wave detection

Abstract

Physically motivated gravitational wave signals are needed in order to study the behaviour and efficacy of different data analysis methods seeking their detection. GravEn, short for Gravitational-wave Engine, is a MATLAB software package that simulates the sampled response of a gravitational wave detector to incident gravitational waves. Incident waves can be specified in a data file or chosen from among a group of pre-programmed types commonly used for establishing the detection efficiency of analysis methods used for LIGO data analysis. Every aspect of a desired signal can be specified, such as start time of the simulation (including inter-sample start times), wave amplitude, source orientation to line of sight, location of the source in the sky, etc. Supported interferometric detectors include LIGO, GEO, Virgo and TAMA.