HL-sims

The PSM or "Planck Sky Model" is an updated version (using knowledge derived from Planck observations) of the software tool described in [Ref to the PSM paper of 2012]. This can take in actual band-passes (in a RIMO) and create sky maps and catalogues at the specified frequencies. It can be supplemented by ad-hoc simulation software for particular (theoretical) CMB maps

The Level S (LS in short) is a generic simulation tool common to HFI and LFI. One version was described in ref to the old LS paper. It can take in input the output of the PSM, a pointing and beam description in order to generate the infalling power on detectors as a function of time. It can additionnaly create some noise realisation as a very simplified version of the actual instruments. Alternatively, the output can be used as input to a detailed simulation of the instrumental behaviour.

The PSM together with the LS therefore provide two basic bricks of a more extensive instrument specific simulation environment. For HFI, see HFI-Validation#sims.

Joint simulations provides an environment for checking algorithms in a realistic context. The latest series is the "FFP6", which provides a Full Focal Plane simulation of the DPC maps in the 2013 data release. They were initially provided (partially) "blind", ie without knowledge of the actual sky components used, but with an exact description of the Bandpasses, beams, and calibration.

CMB simulations

The basis is simple Gaussian realisation given a power spectrum, as given by, eg., CAMB.

Several non-Gaussian signatures can also be generated by dedicated software, like for the lensing contribution, which is included in the standard PSM package. But other cases have been developped within Planck as part of the scientific preaparation, in particular the $f_{NL}$ and $g_{NL}$ maps of Template:Elzner and Wandelt, put ref and string maps of Template:Ringeval and Bouchet. For convenience, they are all available through the PLA Link here to PLA once ESA has finsihed developing the interface .