The design of a two-element correlation interferometer operating at L-band

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dc.contributor.advisorDavidson, D. B.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorJansen van Rensburg, Juan-Pierreen_ZA
dc.contributor.otherStellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.en_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2012-11-26T08:56:41Zen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2012-12-12T08:11:37Z
dc.date.available2012-11-26T08:56:41Zen_ZA
dc.date.available2012-12-12T08:11:37Z
dc.date.issued2012-12en_ZA
dc.descriptionThesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis describes the design and construction of a two-element digital correlation interferometer operating at 1.42 GHz. This instrument consists of two 92cm off set-parabolic reflectors arranged in an east-west baseline, with a maximum length of 24m. The reflectors are out-fi tted with helical beam antennas as primary feeds, and are further equipped with low-noise front-ends. A wideband dual-conversion superheterodyne receiver processes the astronomical signals before digitisation. The receiver is implemented as far as possible using a ffordable off -the-shelf technologies. The cross-correlation between the two antenna signals is measured using a 256MHz bandwidth digital FX correlator, and is implemented on a Reconfi gurable Open Architecture for Computing Hardware (ROACH) board. The preliminary observations made with this interferometer, suggests that it is possible to detect the sun, and some other much weaker sources such as Taurus A. The design of an interferometer in general is presented, from the formulation of the underlying instrumental requirements, to making meridian drift scan observations. The interferometer developed may serve as a demonstrator for other engineering students to gain a working knowledge of radio interferometry, which should prove invaluable when addressing the challenges the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is faced with.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractAFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie tesis word die ontwerp en konstruksie van 'n twee-element digitale korrelasie interferometer wat by 1.42 GHz ontvang beskryf. Die instrument bestaan uit twee 92 cm afsetparaboliese re ektorantennas met 'n oos-wes basislyn, met maksimum lengte 24 m. Heliese antennas word gebruik as primêre voer vir die reflektors, en verder maak die voorent gebruik van laeruis versterkers . Die wyeband superheterodineontvanger verwerk die astronomiese seine in twee stappe voordat dit digitaliseer word. Bekostigbare kommersiëele komponente word gebruik in die vervaardiging van die ontvanger. Die kruiskorrelasie tussen die twee antenna seine word digitaal gemeet deur 'n FX korreleerder met 'n 256MHz bandwydte op 'n ROACH bord. Die resultate toon aan dat dit moontlik is om die son waar te neem, sowel as sommige ander swakker bronne, soos Taurus A. Al die kwessies insluitende die instrumentale vereistes betrokke by die ontwerp van 'n interferometer word bespreek. Verder word die gebruik van interferometers om meridiaan meetings te doen bespreek. Die interferometer dien as 'n praktiese demonstrasie van radio interferometrie vir ingenieurstudente. Hierdie demonstrasie is voordelig vir studente om die uitdagings van die SKA te bestudeer.af
dc.format.extent195 p. : ill.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/71803
dc.language.isoen_ZA
dc.publisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch Universityen_ZA
dc.rights.holderStellenbosch Universityen_ZA
dc.subjectRadio astronomyen_ZA
dc.subjectInterferometryen_ZA
dc.subjectNoise temperatureen_ZA
dc.subjectAperture synthesisen_ZA
dc.subjectBrightnessen_ZA
dc.subjectVisibilityen_ZA
dc.subjectSensitivityen_ZA
dc.subjectNoise figureen_ZA
dc.subjectRadio-frequency interferenceen_ZA
dc.subjectDissertations -- Electronic engineeringen_ZA
dc.subjectTheses -- Electronic engineeringen_ZA
dc.titleThe design of a two-element correlation interferometer operating at L-banden_ZA
dc.typeThesisen_ZA
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