The Square Kilometre Array: An Engineering Perspective

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

   PDF

2. Introduction

   Pages 3-3

3. The Square Kilometre Array: An International Engineering Perspective

   • P. J. Hall

   Pages 5-16

4. Ska Demonstrators and Results

   1. The Allen Telescope Array

      • David Deboer, Rob Ackermann, Leo Blitz, Douglas Bock, Geoffrey Bower, Michael Davis et al.

      Pages 19-34

   2. Sky Noise Limited Snapshot Imaging in the Presence of RFI with LOFAR’s Initial Test Station

      • Stefan J. Wijnholds, Jaap D. Bregman, Albert-Jan Boonstra

      Pages 35-42

   3. The LOFAR Central Processing Facility Architecture

      • Kjeld Van Der Schaaf, Chris Broekema, Ger Van Diepen, Ellen Van Meijeren

      Pages 43-58

   4. Hemispheric Imaging of Galactic Neutral Hydrogen with a Phased Array Antenna System

      • Stefan J. Wijnholds, A. Ger De Bruyn, Jaap D. Bregman, Jan-Geralt Bij De Vaate

      Pages 59-64

   5. Electronic Multi-Beam Radio Astronomy Concept: Embrace a Demonstrator for the European SKA Program

      • A. Van Ardenne, P. N. Wilkinson, P. D. Patel, J. G. Bij De Vaate

      Pages 65-77

   6. The Australian SKA New Technology Demonstrator Program

      • Ray Norris

      Pages 79-85

5. Antennas

   1. Low Noise Performance Perspectives of Wideband Aperture Phased Arrays

      • E. E. M. Woestenburg, J. C. Kuenen

      Pages 89-99

   2. Effective Sensitivity of a Non-Uniform Phased Array of Short Dipoles

      • W. A. Van Cappellen, J. D. Bregman, M. J. Arts

      Pages 101-109

   3. Low Frequency End Performance of a Symmetrical Configuration Antenna for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)

      • Germán Cortés-Medellín

      Pages 111-118

   4. Radio Astronomy Antennas by the Thousands

      • Roger Schultz

      Pages 119-139

   5. A Spherical Lens for the SKA

      • John S. Kot, Richard Donelson, Nasiha Nikolic, Doug Hayman, Mike O’shea, Gary Peeters

      Pages 141-148

   6. Efficiency Analysis of Focal Plane Arrays in Deep Dishes

      • Marianna V. Ivashina, Jan Simons, Jan Geralt Bij De Vaate

      Pages 149-162

   7. Model Validation and Performance Evaluation for the Multi-Tethered Aerostat Subsystem of the Large Adaptive Reflector

      • Meyer Nahon, Casey Lambert, Dean Chalmers, Wen Bo

      Pages 163-175

   8. Modeling of a Feed Support System for Fast

      • Wenbai Zhu, Rendong Nan, Gexue Ren

      Pages 177-184

   9. Cylindrical Reflectors

      • John D. Bunton

      Pages 185-189

6. RF Systems

   1. Local Oscillator Distribution Using a Geostationary Satellite

      • J. Bardin, S. Weinreb, D. Bagri

      Pages 193-199

   2. RF Design of a Wideband CMOS Integrated Receiver for Phased Array Applications

      • Suzy A. Jackson

      Pages 201-210

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Project is a global project to design and c- struct a revolutionary new radio telescope with of order 1 million square meters of collecting area in the wavelength range from3mto1cm.It will have two - ders of magnitude greater sensitivity than current telescopes and an unprecedented large instantaneous ?eld-of-view. These capabilities will ensure the SKA will play a leading role in solving the major astrophysical and cosmological questions of the day (see the science case at www.skatelescope.org/pages/page astronom.htm). The SKA will complement major ground- and space-based astronomical facilities under construction or planned in other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g. ALMA, JWST, ELT, XEUS,...). The current schedule for the SKA foresees a decision on the SKA site in 2006, a decisiononthedesignconceptin2009,constructionofthe?rstphase(international path?nder)from2010to2013,andconstructionofthefullarrayfrom2014to2020. The cost is estimated to be about 1000 M . TheSKAProjectcurrentlyinvolves45institutesin17countries,manyofwhich are involved in nationally- or regionally-funded state-of-the-art technical devel- ments being pursued ahead of the 2009 selection of design concept. This Special Issue of Experimental Astronomy provides a snapshot of SKA engineering act- ity around the world, and is based on presentations made at the SKA meeting in Penticton,BC,CanadainJuly2004.Topicscoveredincludeantennaconcepts,so- ware, signal transport and processing, radio frequency interference mitigation, and reports on related technologies in other radio telescopes now under construction. Further information on the project can be found at www.skatelescope.org.

• Square Kilometre Array (SKA)
• Transport
• instruments
• mega-science facility engineering
• next-generation telescopes
• radio astronomy
• radio telescopes

• International SKA Project Office, Dwingeloo, The Netherlands

  Peter J. Hall

Peter Hall is the International Project Engineer for the SKA project. He also chairs the International Engineering Working Group for the project, as well as its Industry Liaison Task Force. Dr Hall has been associated with the SKA since 1997 and prior to his current role he led the CSIRO (Australia) SKA program. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (Australia) and a member of several other international engineering bodies.

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