The Aperture Array Verification System 1: System overview and early commissioning results

Journal
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Benthem, P.
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Wayth, R.
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de Lera Acedo, E.
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Zarb Adami, K.
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Booler, T.
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Borg, J.
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Broderick, J. W.
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Chiello, R.
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Ciani, L.
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Crosse, B.
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Davidson, D.
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DeMarco, A.
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Emrich, D.
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van Es, A.
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Faulkner, A.
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Gerbers, M.
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Razavi-Ghods, N.
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Hall, P.
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Horsley, L.
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Juswardy, B.
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Kenney, D.
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Steele, K.
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Magro, A.
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McKinley, B.
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•
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Nanni, J.
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Paonessa, F.
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Schnetler, H.
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Singuaroli, R.
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Sokolowski, M.
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Sutinjo, A.
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Tartarini, G.
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Ung, D.
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Bij de Vaate, J. G.
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Virone, G.
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Walker, M.
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Waterson, M.
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Wijnholds, S. J.
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Williams, A.
DOI
Abstract
The design and development process for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope's Low Frequency Aperture Array component was progressed during the SKA pre-construction phase by an international consortium, with the goal of meeting requirements for a critical design review. As part of the development process a full-sized prototype SKA Low `station' was deployed - the Aperture Array Verification System 1 (AAVS1). We provide a system overview and describe the commissioning results of AAVS1, which is a low frequency radio telescope with 256 dual-polarisation log-periodic dipole antennas working as a phased array. A detailed system description is provided, including an in-depth overview of relevant sub-systems, ranging from hardware, firmware, software, calibration, and control sub-systems. Early commissioning results cover initial bootstrapping, array calibration, stability testing, beam-forming, and on-sky sensitivity validation. Lessons learned are presented, along with future developments.
Volume
655
Start page
A5
Uri
Url
Issn Identifier
0004-6361
Ads BibCode
2021A&A...655A...5B
Rights
open.access
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