Highlights of the SKA1-Mid Telescope architecture

Gerhard P. Swart; Peter Dewdney

doi:10.1117/12.2563278

13 December 2020 Highlights of the SKA1-Mid Telescope architecture

Gerhard P. Swart, Peter Dewdney

Proceedings Volume 11450, Modeling, Systems Engineering, and Project Management for Astronomy IX; 114502T (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2563278
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2020, Online Only

Conference Poster

Abstract

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Observatory will construct two radio telescopes: SKA-Low in Australia and SKAMid in South Africa. When completed the SKA will be the largest radio telescope on earth, with unprecedented sensitivity and scientific capability. The first phase of SKA-Mid (called SKA1-Mid) includes an array of 197 dishantennas incorporating the recently completed MeerKAT antennas, to cover the frequency range of 350 MHz to 15.4 GHz. A Central Signal Processor, located close to the array, correlates and beamforms the 18Tb/s digitised data stream before it is transported to a dedicated super-computer in Cape Town for further processing. The combination of largescale deployment, significant real-time processing and geographic distribution poses significant architectural challenges. This paper presents the architectural highlights of the SKA1-Mid Telescope baseline design which has recently completed its Critical Design Review (CDR) on the path to starting construction in early 2021.

Citation Download Citation

Gerhard P. Swart and Peter Dewdney "Highlights of the SKA1-Mid Telescope architecture", Proc. SPIE 11450, Modeling, Systems Engineering, and Project Management for Astronomy IX, 114502T (13 December 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2563278

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available