Field deployment of prototype antenna tiles for the mileura widefield array low frequency demonstrator

Judd D. Bowman, David G. Barnes, Frank H. Briggs, Brian E. Corey, Merv J. Lynch, N. D.Ramesh Bhat, Roger J. Cappallo, Sheperd S. Doeleman, Brian J. Fanous, David Herne, Jacqueline N. Hewitt, Chris Johnston, Justin C. Kasper, Jonathon Kocz, Eric Kratzenberg, Colin J. Lonsdale, Miguel F. Morales, Divya Oberoi, Joseph E. Salah, Bruce StansbyJamie Stevens, Glen Torr, Randall Wayth, Rachel L. Webster, J. Stuart B. Wyithe

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Abstract

Experiments were performed with prototype antenna tiles for the Mileura Widefield Array Low Frequency Demonstrator (MWA LFD) to better understand the wide-field, wide-band properties of their design and to characterize the radio-frequency interference (RFI) between 80 and 300 MHz at the site in Western Australia. Observations acquired during the 6 month deployment confirmed the predicted sensitivity of the antennas, sky-noise-dominated system temperatures, and phase-coherent interferometric measurements. The radio spectrum is remarkably free of strong terrestrial signals, with the exception of two narrow frequency bands allocated to satellite downlinks, and rare bursts due to ground-based transmissions being scattered from aircraft and meteor trails. Results indicate the potential of the MWA LFD to make significant achievements in its three key science objectives: epoch of reionization science, heliospheric science, and radio transient detection.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1505-1518
Number of pages14
JournalThe Astronomical Journal
Volume133
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Instrumentation: interferometers
  • Radio continuum: general
  • Site testing
  • Telescopes

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