Upgrading of the L-P band cryogenic receiver of the Sardinia Radio Telescope: A feasibility study
Journal
Date Issued
2022
Description
The authors are grateful to Tonino Pisanu, technologist from the Cagliari Astronomical
Observatory, and Sergio Poppi, technologist and Head of Operations of the Sardinia Radio
Telescope, for their precious suggestions. The Sardinia Radio Telescope is funded by the Ministry of
University and Research (MIUR), Italian Space Agency (ASI), and the Autonomous Region of Sardinia
(RAS) and is operated as National Facility by the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF). The
authors would also like to show their gratitude to the Technical Office of the Cagliari Astronomical
Observatory, for its logistical support, and to Mauro Pili, for his technical support.
Abstract
The Sardinia Radio Telescope is a quasi-Gregorian system with a shaped 64 m diameter
primary reflector and a 7.9 m diameter secondary reflector. It was designed to operate with high
efficiency across the 0.3–116 GHz frequency range. The telescope is equipped with a cryogenic
coaxial dual-frequency L-P band receiver, which covers a portion of the P-band (305–410 MHz) and
the L-band (1300–1800 MHz). Although this receiver has been used for years in its original design,
with satisfactory results, it presents some parts that could be upgraded in order to improve the
performances of the system. With the passing of time and with technology advances, the presence
of unwanted human-made signals in the area around the telescope, known as radio frequency
interferences, has grown exponentially. In addition, the technology of the receiver electronic control
system became obsolete and it could be replaced with next-generation electronic boards, which offer
better performances both service reliability and low generation of unwanted radio frequency signals.
In this paper, a feasibility study for improving the L-P band receiver is discussed, taking into account
the mitigation of the main radio frequency interferences. With this study, it is possible to have a
sensitive instrument that can be used for scientific research at low frequencies (P- and L-bands), which
are usually populated by signals from civil and military mobile communications, TV broadcasting
and remote sensing applications.
Volume
22
Issue
11
Issn Identifier
1424-8220
Ads BibCode
2022Senso..22.4261L
Rights
open.access
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