Äîêóìåíò âçÿò èç êýøà ïîèñêîâîé ìàøèíû. Àäðåñ îðèãèíàëüíîãî äîêóìåíòà : http://www.atnf.csiro.au/projects/mnrf2001/Astronomy_MNRF_0304.pdf Äàòà èçìåíåíèÿ: Fri Dec 24 02:40:08 2004 Äàòà èíäåêñèðîâàíèÿ: Tue Oct 2 06:30:41 2012 Êîäèðîâêà: Ïîèñêîâûå ñëîâà: optical telescope

The Australian Astronomy MNRF


Executive summary
The Australian Astronomy Major National Research Facility (MNRF) is a collaboration between astronomical institutions and research organisations within Australia, with the aim of providing significant Australian participation in major new optical, infrared and radio facilities. The broad objectives of the Facility are to: increase Australia's share of premier optical/infrared telescopes such as the twin Gemini 8-metre telescopes; develop world-class instrumentation for the Gemini telescopes; and develop enabling technologies for Australia to play a key role in, and host, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the centimetre-wave radio telescope of the future. The key outcomes during 2003/04 were: · Several important studies, based on Gemini observations, were made, including a high-resolution imaging experiment which showed unexpected evolution in host galaxies of high-redshift quasars. · Substantial progress with the construction of two Gemini instruments: Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (GSAOI) and the Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS), and the winning of a contract to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of a third instrument: the Wide-Field Multi-Object Spectrograph (WFMOS). · The successful installation and operation of a prototype wideband digital filter bank at the Mopra telescope, and successful on-wafer testing of low-noise Indium Phosphide amplifiers at frequencies around 2 GHz, 8 GHz and 80 GHz. · The hosting of a major international SKA planning meeting in Geraldton and the establishing of a reference SKA site at Mileura Station, WA. · Design of a continuum correlator and detection of radio astronomical fringes using an interim correlator at the Molonglo telescope. · The first international disk-based Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations initiated from Australia. The results were processed on the newly operational Swinburne supercomputer-based software correlator. From a financial perspective, the participants' contributions to the MNRF continued to track to budget, as did the MNRF grant from the Department of Education, Science and Training. However, the MNRF continued to significantly under-spend due to a number of projects running behind schedule. The board will be taking steps in 2004/05 to rectify these scheduling issues.


Table of contents
Table of contents ............................................................................................................ 3 1. Progress with establishment, enhancement and operation ..................................... 4 1.1. Governance .................................................................................................... 4 1.2. Project summaries .......................................................................................... 4 1.2.1. Project Office ......................................................................................... 4 1.2.2. Gemini.................................................................................................... 5 1.2.3. SKA........................................................................................................ 7 1.3. Milestones .................................................................................................... 10 1.3.1. Project Office ....................................................................................... 10 1.3.2. Gemini.................................................................................................. 10 1.3.3. SKA...................................................................................................... 13 2. Research, access & collaboration ........................................................................ 20 2.1. Facility's access regime ............................................................................... 20 2.1.1. Gemini.................................................................................................. 20 2.1.2. SKA...................................................................................................... 20 2.2. Collaboration and linkages .......................................................................... 20 2.3. Facility's contribution to research and training ........................................... 21 2.3.1. Gemini.................................................................................................. 21 2.3.2. SKA...................................................................................................... 21 2.4. Contribution to Australian industry ............................................................. 21 3. Promotion of the facility ...................................................................................... 22 3.1. Gemini.......................................................................................................... 22 3.2. SKA.............................................................................................................. 22 4. Commercialisation: New technology demonstrator............................................. 23 5. Compliance with biological & radiation safeguards ............................................ 24 6. Financial report .................................................................................................... 25 6.1. Financial summary ....................................................................................... 25 6.2. Financial summary by project...................................................................... 26 6.3. Financial tables ............................................................................................ 27 6.3.1. In-Kind Contributions from Participating Parties ................................ 27 6.3.2. Cash Contributions from Participating Parties .................................... 28 6.3.3. Cash Heads of Expenditure.................................................................. 29 6.3.4. Summary of Resources Applied to Activities of MNRF ..................... 30 6.3.5. Summary of Planning/Construction/Upgrade/Operating Expenditure 31 6.3.6. Cash Cost (net of GST) of Purchased Capital Equipment ................... 32 6.4. Auditors' reports .......................................................................................... 33 6.4.1. Australian Gemini Office ..................................................................... 33 6.4.2. Anglo-Australian Observatory ............................................................. 34 6.4.3. Australia National University .............................................................. 38 6.4.4. CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility ..................................... 41 6.4.5. CSIRO Information & Communications Technology ......................... 43 6.4.6. Swinburne University of Technology .................................................. 46 6.4.7. University of Sydney ........................................................................... 48 6.4.8. WA department of Science and Innovation ......................................... 50 Appendix A: Performance indicator survey ................................................................ 53 Appendix B: AABoM members .................................................................................. 58 Appendix C: AABoM's advisory committees' members ............................................ 59 Appendix D: Project leaders and project participants.................................................. 60 3


1. Progress with establishment, enhancement and operation
1.1. Governance

Figure 1: Relationships within the MNRF This MNRF is managed by the MNRF Director, with assistance from the facility office. The Director reports to the Australian Astronomy Board of Management (AABoM). This MNRF programme funds part of the Australian component of two international facilities, Gemini and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). As such, AABoM are advised by the Australian Gemini Steering Committee (AGSC) and the Australian SKA Consortium Committee (ASKACC). AABoM provides the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) with a report each year detailing Gemini and SKA progress. When DEST accepts this annual report, they provide the facility office with the MNRF grant for that year. The facility office then distributes these funds to the various projects contingent on receipt of satisfactory progress reports detailing performance against agreed milestones. In addition, the Australian Research Council (ARC) manages the relationship with the Gemini consortium. Payment for additional time is made by the facility office to the Gemini consortium on request from the ARC.

1.2. Project summaries
1.2.1. Project Office
The Project Office functioned well in 2003/04, although limited by understaffing. This will be rectified by the appointment of an executive officer. In addition, Ray

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Norris, the MNRF director, is to take long service leave in 2005 and will be replaced by Lister Staveley-Smith. Both new appointments will be effective from 2nd August 2004. Highlights: The appointment of the new, more effective, AABoM board. A one-day MNRF symposium held on 8th June 2004, with about seventy participants. Many exciting developments and science results were presented, and participants indicated that the symposium was very successful and should be repeated annually. Issues: · The majority of participation deeds have not yet been signed. This deed is of primary importance to Swinburne University of Technology and the University of Sydney, as their MNRF payments are contingent on them having signed this deed. Other participants have also formally agreed to sign a participation deed, but the consequences of not signing are less serious, as they are already committed to the MNRF by having signed the Relationship Deed. The outstanding participation deeds will be resolved in the immediate future. · ·

1.2.2. Gemini
1.2.2.1. Increased share of Gemini telescopes This project proceeded well in 2003/04 with Australia achieving a high profile on the international stage and establishing itself in key positions on science committees and working groups within the Gemini partnership. Australian astronomers also made significant contributions in the past year to the scientific strategic planning and advisory processes. Consistent with the primary motivations for increasing Australia's share in Gemini, the Australian Gemini Steering Committee recommended to AABoM that up to four million dollars of unallocated funding be used to purchase additional nights on Gemini South from the UK during 2005 and 2006. In addition, it may be desirable to finance the Wide-Field Multi-Object Spectrograph (WFMOS) feasibility study being conducted by the AAO and a project scientist for the Extremely Large Telescope project. Highlights: · The first major Australian-lead Gemini paper was published by Croom & Boyle, which reported quite substantial and unexpected evolution over cosmological timescales in the galaxies/black-holes that host/power luminous high-redshift quasars. This important discovery was based on high-resolution adaptive optics imaging obtained with the Gemini North telescope. Australian astronomers Boyle, Colless and Couch are involved in a search for the very first galaxies to emit light in the universe, seen less than a billion years after the Big Bang; their initial detections of three such objects have been published. Two Australian-lead studies using Gemini have publications in the pipeline: the detection and characterization of the faint population of globular clusters around one of the central bright galaxies in the Virgo cluster by Forbes and collaborators; and the observation of temporal variations in the light emitted from the very

·

·

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centre of the Crab Nebula (which provide important insights into the physical processes associated with the central pulsar) by Melatos and collaborators. Issues: · Since our payments to Gemini are in US dollars, exchange rate fluctuations are a potential hazard to the long-term viability of this project. Hedging has been considered as an option. Fortunately, in view of the strengthening Australian dollar, no funds were hedged. This may be an option if the Australian dollar shows signs of weakening.

1.2.2.2. RSAA Gemini instrumentation Good progress has been made with both instruments under construction: Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (GSAOI) for Gemini South and Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS) for Gemini North. Highlights: · Successful completion of the GSAOI critical design review allowing the project to progress to the construction stage. · Vacuum and cold testing of the GSAOI cryostat that demonstrates that significant subsystems are operational. · The image quality of the re-constructed NIFS on-instrument wave front sensor has been demonstrated and the spectrograph optics installed. · A number of awards were received by the NIFS instrument team: ACT New Technology and Innovation Award; High Commendation for Engineering Excellence awarded by Engineers Australia, Canberra Division; ANU Staff Excellence Award. Issues: · Completion of the NIFS science detector system has been delayed by the resignation of the detector engineer and this position is currently under advertisement. The detector system is being progressed by the project engineer and the head of electronics. However, this is causing delays in interfacing the detector system to the Gemini software environment. These delays in the NIFS science detector system have the potential to impact on the delivery of the GSAOI detector system.

1.2.2.3. AAO Gemini instrumentation This project is proceeding well, with only minor delays associated with finalising the Wide-Field Multi-Object Spectrograph (WFMOS) contract with Gemini. Highlights: · Winning the Gemini WFMOS feasibility study contract. AAO is the prime contractor for this study, and leads a consortium of seven institutions from Australia, USA, UK and Canada. Issues: · The start of the WFMOS feasibility study has been delayed by three months due to delays by Gemini in defining the scope of the study and finalizing the contract. As Gemini still require the study to be finished by 21 February 2005, this compresses the timeline for the study. In consequence, the AAO has negotiated with Gemini on the deliverables, and expects to be able to meet the deadline. 6


1.2.3. SKA
1.2.3.1. AT compact array broadband backend (CABB) Progress has been slower than planned due to the delayed start of key personnel who were occupied in finishing previous projects. This situation was redressed early in 2004 when these previous projects neared completion. Delays have also occurred due to the unexpected complexity of the design process for the digital filter banks, in particular the development of firmware design techniques for the field programmable gate arrays. This has resulted in delays, particularly in producing the demonstrator spectrometers, which are an important part of the overall project plan. Highlights: · The installation and successful operation of the 256MHz digital filter bank at the Mopra telescope. As well as conducting a series of successful astronomical observations with the instrument, its capabilities in operating in a high interference environment were also demonstrated. The development of wide-band field programmable gate array-based digital filter banks is a critical requirement of this project. Issues: · A decision needs to be made soon on the choice between analogue or digital data transmission. The excellent performance but high cost of the digital solution, with sampling at the antennas leading to potential RFI problems, is competing against the comparably modest performance but lower cost analogue system. Valuable experience has been gained on the operation of wideband analogue links on the ATCA through their use in the wideband analogue correlator system, but the question of whether they can deliver adequate performance for CABB is as yet unresolved.

1.2.3.2. New technology demonstrator (NTD) The research and development activities to date have allowed this project to reach a key stage in the choice of technology for the demonstrator: phased arrays in combination with reflectors will be used for the wide field-of-view technology demonstrator, not Luneburg lenses. Significant outstanding risk issues with the mass density of the dielectric material used to make the Luneburg lenses (six times higher than required for the SKA) lead to this decision. Highlights: · The Luneburg lens development has had a number of successes: completion of a prototype lens based on a new composite material; submission of a PCT patent application based on the lens development; and discussions with an external company for commercial development of the technology. Issues: · After a brief hiatus the project has undergone a change in project leadership and the development of a new project plan.

1.2.3.3. Microwave/millimetre-wave integrated circuit (MMIC) Following the recent announcement of commercially available four Giga samples per second ten-bit digitisers, which would be suitable for the CABB project, the requirement for a fast sample and hold circuit has diminished. Work on the sample

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and hold has been put on hold while tests are carried out on the commercially available devices. In the integrated receiver area, an early review of the activity indicated that the original estimate of the time required for design was inadequate. This has resulted in a delay in the project time line of approximately six months. Progress against this modified time line has been good. Highlights: · The successful on-wafer testing of a number of InP HEMT designs. All the circuits: 1 to 3GHz band; 4 to 12GHz band; 67 to 90GHz low noise amplifier and a 1 to 60GHz distributed amplifier, met or exceeded expectations. The value of the integrated receiver design work received recognition with the acceptance for publication of a paper describing the work in a special SKA edition of Experimental Astronomy. Issues: · MMIC provides technology for the CABB and NTD projects. Delays in the CABB and NTD projects have meant that specific MMIC requirements have not yet become clear, resulting in a lower than expected spending profile to date. Some projected MMIC requirements for the CABB project are being reviewed and may not proceed. Also, an important issue is the extent to which MMICs will be required in the still developing NTD project. This is likely to have a significant influence on whether the remaining funds of the MMIC project can be fully committed within the five year project lifetime.

1.2.3.4. SKA Molonglo prototype (SKAMP) In the past year good progress has been made with constructing the Stage 1 continuum correlator and related signal pathway. The infrastructure and signal pathway is complete. The correlator is a 10-layer PCB, which is now being commissioned and we anticipate the Stage 1 system to be complete by the end of 2004. The digitisers and control software are also complete. The design matrix for the Stage 2 spectral line correlator is being revised and updated. Specification of this stage is well-advanced. An engineering appointment has been made to enable this part of the project. The Stage 3 broadband line feed is under simulation study and a first prototype has been constructed. Feed development for a dual polarisation line feed is proceeding, funded by an ARC Linkage Project Grant. A first prototype (crossed wideband dipoles) has been built and is under test. Simulations of the total intensity and polarisation response of a large number of line elements are in progress. Highlights: · First fringes were achieved using an interim correlator for several different single baseline pairs, which verifies the integrity of the signal pathway. · A new electronics lab has been established and tooled in the School of Physics at the University of Sydney. Issues: · The proposed location of the Defence Headquarters of the Joint Operations Command five kilometres from the telescope site. This has the potential to cause RFI. However, a very good cooperative relationship has been established with the 8


Defence project staff and a Heads of Agreement covering both the construction and operational phases is in final draft form. The RFI mitigation strategies planned are expected to be satisfactory. 1.2.3.5. SKA siting This project is proceeding well against the revised timeline specified by the International SKA Steering Committee. In addition, work on radio-quiet zones is also being conducted outside of the MNRF. Regarding the related issue of LOFAR, international funding constraints mean that LOFAR will be built in the Netherlands, not at Mileura in Western Australia. However, the international recognition of Mileura as the best technical site for LOFAR has raised the awareness of the suitability of Mileura for low frequency radio astronomy. Highlights: · There is sustained interest from MIT in continuing their low frequency radio astronomy work by siting a low-frequency demonstrator telescope in Western Australia, contingent on MIT funding. Issues: · Radio opacity testing may be necessary, including site ionospheric and tropospheric effects. This will increase the resources required to measure the suitability of Mileura for SKA. The hosting of SKA has become more competitive with the South African government now more active in promoting South Africa as a location for SKA. As well as investigating SKA technology issues, like Australia they are also investigating setting up radio quiet zones.

·

1.2.3.6. SKA supercomputer simulation & baseband processing (SKASS) The second year of this project has seen a number of significant tasks reach practical completion. In addition, collaborations with the MIT/Haystack SKA simulations group and the International SKA Project Office have seen Swinburne become a central point for SKA simulation work relevant to the International Project. Ten research groups have used Swinburne facilities supported by the MNRF SKA project, involving approximately 30 researchers. Two thirds of the researchers who have made use of the Swinburne facilities have come from Australian institutions other than Swinburne as well as overseas institutions. In a user survey, users rated highly the Swinburne facilities and support from Swinburne staff. A variance between actual and budgeted expenditure in 2003/04 exists because a planned major upgrade to the supercomputer at Swinburne's Hawthorn campus was postponed until the 2004/05 financial year. Highlights: · The development, construction, and testing of a disk-based baseband recording system for Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). This system, based on off-the-shelf hardware, has been used to perform the first international disk-based VLBI observations ever initiated from Australia. The disk-based system, in conjunction with a software correlator running on the Swinburne supercomputer (also completed this year) has been used to verify real-time fringes on VLBI

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baselines within Australia and will be developed into a routine observing system over the next 3 years. Issues: · When Mr Craig West completed his Masters thesis in baseband processing and software correlation for VLBI, he was employed as part of the Swinburne SKA group on a six month contract. Due to the ongoing work in this part of the project, in particular the Swinburne collaboration with the ATNF for the development of e-VLBI, it will be necessary to extend Mr West's contract when it expires in October 2004.

1.3. Milestones
1.3.1. Project Office
Task Project plans to be in place, and MNRF participation deeds (one each between CSIRO, on behalf of the MNRF office, and each participant) to be signed New board composition to be agreed Annual report to be provided to DEST Project plan December 2002 Status Revised to: September 2004 Comments Project plans completed by December 2003. Participation deed signed with Swinburne September 2003. Board formed September 2003. Delays occurred as this was the first annual report. The milestone should be achievable in 2004. The Chair for the new board was not appointed until October 2003, leaving time for just three quarterly meetings.

June 2003 September 2003

Completed: May 2003 Completed: May 2004

AABoM to meet at least:

Four times per year

Three meetings were held.

1.3.2. Gemini
1.3.2.1. Increased share of Gemini telescopes Task The agreement with Gemini will be signed by ARC, (ratifying Australia's increased share of 1.43%). Australian astronomers will have access to an increased number of Project plan November 2003 Status Achieved: October 2003 Comments Brazil is the only partner who has not signed, but this has not delayed new shares coming into effect. Thirteen hours of extra time now available on each of the Gemini

January 2003

Achieved: February 2003

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nights on Gemini A decision will be made on the strategic use of the balance of the MNRF Gemini funding June 2004 Achieved: June 2004

telescopes per observing semester. The balance will primarily be used to purchase additional nights from the UK during 2005 and 2006

1.3.2.2. RSAA Gemini instrumentation Task Project plan Status On schedule. Comments

December 1. Complete each of the remaining milestones for 2004 the completion of the Near-infrared IntegralField Spectrograph (NIFS) 2. Deliver NIFS to Gemini 3. Successfully commission NIFS on Gemini North 4. Award of a new instrument contract from Gemini 5. Contingent on 4 above, complete each of the milestones associated with the design and construction of GSAOI (see a to e below) 5a. Approval of operational concept definition document and functional and performance requirements document by the US Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) 5b. Completion of ordering all optical elements 5c. Completion of critical design review 5d. Completion of cryostat and integration frame February 2005 June 2005

Revised to: January 2005 Revised to: August 2005 Completed: November 2002 On schedule Dependent on telescope availability Instrument is Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (GSAOI)

July 2004

September 2005

Completed: May 2003

New milestone, added after project plan.

Completed: New milestone, added January 2004 after project plan. Completed: October 2003 Completed: March 2004 New milestone, added after project plan. New milestone, added after project plan.

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5e. Completion of first cool down with mechanisms. 6. Contingent on 4 above, deliver GSAOI 7. Contingent on 4 above, successfully commission GSAOI. November 2005 May 2006

On schedule

New milestone, added after project plan. Target: August 2004

Revised to: October 2005 On schedule Commissioning date is dependent on telescope availability.

1.3.2.3. AAO Gemini instrumentation Task Provide back-office support for Gemini-related activities in Australia. Pre-concept study for the Wide-Field Multi-Object Spectrograph (WFMOS). Complete Ukidna concept study for prototype of WFMOS. Project plan 30 March and 30 September each year. June 2003 Status On schedule Comments Support provided at agreed level.

Completed: June 2003 Halted: December 2003 New milestone, added after project plan. Task halted as Gemini decided to seek WFMOS feasibility study. Results of Ukidna study documented. New milestone, added after project plan. New milestone, added after project plan. Target: July 2004. New milestone, added after project plan. Target: February 2005.

Submit proposal for feasibility study for WFMOS. WFMOS feasibility study contract to be signed and study to begin. WFMOS feasibility study submitted to Gemini.

Completed: March 2004 On schedule.

On schedule.

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1.3.3. SKA
1.3.3.1. AT compact array broadband backend (CABB) Task Commencement of project Demonstration of DFB spectrometer Installation of 256MHz DFB at Mopra Completion of 2GHz DFB (digital filterbank) Testing of prototype February photonic data transmission 2004 system Testing of prototype conversion system Commencement of final production Six antenna ATCA operational with new backend. Completion of integration of NTD into ATCA system. Broadband ATCA tied array operational. Project plan January 2002 October 2003 Status Completed: January 2002 Completed: January 2004 On schedule New milestone, added in 03/04 project plan. Target: July 2004 New milestone, added in 03/04 project plan. Target: March 2005 Comments

On schedule

Revised: March 2005 Revised: July 2005 On schedule New milestone, added in 02/03 project plan. Target: October 2004 New milestone, added in 03/04 project plan. Target: January 2006

January 2006 Revised: January 2007 July 2006 On hold. NTD project now considering sites other than Narrabri.

July 2007

Revised: Revised due to probable January 2007 NASA 7mm tracking requirement. Additional resources required.

1.3.3.2. New technology demonstrator (NTD) Task Project plan Status Completed Comments

Establish cross-divisional December collaboration (CTIP, 2001 CMIT, CMS, ATNF) to investigate possible low loss and density composite dielectric materials.

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Develop analysis and design software for spherical lenses Demonstrate low-loss dielectric with values suitable for spherical lens. Complete design of prototype spherical lens and wideband feed. Test hybrid array / lens system using FARADAY phased array Develop signal transport model based on LOFAR and SKA specifications. Develop wideband beamformer concept using direct digital sampling.

June 2002

Completed

June 2003

Completed

June 2003

Completed: November 2003 Completed: February 2003 Completed: July 2003 Completed: July 2003 "A Baseband Receiver Architecture for MediumN SKA", Ferris, D., SKA2003, Geraldton, WA, 2003

June 2003

June 2003

June 2003

Complete construction of prototype spherical lens and wideband feed. Complete EM testing on prototype lens. Evaluate test results.

June 2003

Completed: December 2003 Completed Hayman, D and Li, L., "Measurement of a Prototype CSIRO Luneburg Lens", CSIRO ICT Centre Publication Number 04/1819 Draft business plan being circulated. Commercial negotiations in progress.

June 2004

Develop business plan for possible commercialization of dielectric / lens technology Decision point on further development work on spherical lenses. Demonstrate high-speed direct digital sampling and polyphase filter bank technology. Decide choice of NTD concept (lens; lens + array; phased array)

June 2004

Revised: September 2004

June 2004

Completed

June 2004

Completed

June 2004

Revised: November 2004

NTD will be a phased array-based system. Project plan being updated.

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Develop complete EM analysis of lens plus integrated feed. Stage 1: NTD design and development of proof-ofconcept prototypes. NTD PDR. Stage 2: NTD design & development. NTD CDR. Stage 3: NTD development & construction. Complete NTD construction.

June 2004

Revised: August 2004 Being revised. Being revised. Being revised. This project is now undergoing additional planning to specify the final NTD based on the knowledge gained to date. Once the updated project plan is complete in November 2004 these milestones will be updated. Scope of finished NTD will be specified in November 2004 project plan update.

June 2005

June 2005 June 2006

June 2007

On schedule

1.3.3.3. Microwave/millimetre-wave integrated circuit (MMIC) Task Submit designs for first (InP) fabrication run. Submit designs for second (sample and hold circuit) fabrication run. Submit designs for integrated receiver prototypes Submit designs for integrated receiver assemblies Begin production fabrication of integrated receivers First devices (integrated receivers) available for integration into demonstrators Submit designs for third (stage 2 InP) fabrication run Final devices (samplers) available for integration into demonstrators. December 2004 Project plan March 2003 April 2004 Status Completed March 2003 No longer required. Revised: October 2004 Revised: August 2005 Revised: January 2006 July 2005 Commercial devices are now available that negate this sampler development. New milestone, added in 02/03 project report. Target: April 2004. New milestone, added in 02/03 project report. Target: November 2004. New milestone, added in 02/03 project report. Target: January 2005. Comments

January 2005 December 2005

On schedule

No longer required.

Commercial devices are now available that negate this sampler development.

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Complete final integration of devices into demonstrators

December 2006

Revised: January 2007

1.3.3.4. SKA Molonglo prototype (SKAMP) Task Test continuum correlator design Appoint RF Engineer Design concept for spectral line correlator Project plan December 2003 March 2004 May 2004 Status Completed: May 2004 Completed: June 2004 Revised to: November 2004 Comments Delayed due to limitations with the PCB manufacturer. RF Engineer: Adrian Blake Top level logic design complete; final detailed design dependent on results from continuum correlator testing, causing delay. Fringes achieved with interim correlator and a selection of single baselines.

Fringes from 96-station continuum correlator

June 2004

Revised to: October 2004 Completed: June 2004

Update SKAMP scope of project document 1.3.3.5. SKA siting Task

June 2004

Project plan

Status Completed

Comments

Establish clear contact June 2003 points between WA Office of Science and Innovation) and ATNF. Produce CDROM characterising the Mileura Station site with detailed information on landform, vegetation, geology etc Discuss with relevant bodies issues of native title, planning permission, EIA etc in relation to the Mileura site. Produce Australian Initial Site Analysis Document for submission to ISSC. Meet with key science June 2003

Completed

June 2003

Completed

June 2003

Completed

June 2003

Completed

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groups in WA capable of supporting SKA. Organise international SKA Meeting in Geraldton and ISSC visits to Mileura site. July 2003 Completed

Respond to ISSC on initial June 2004 site analysis document. Establish a process for December selecting the best SKA site 2003 within Australia. Choose one "reference site" for further evaluation. Ensure an adequate international RFI testing procedure. Stage 2: Initiate extended RFI tests to be conducted remotely over a full year, at the reference site. Choose whether Mileura site will be the Australian SKA site. Prepare final submissions for SKA siting if required Respond to ISSC on site submission if required Complete RFI tests to be conducted remotely over a full year, at the reference site. Interact with ISSC to ensure that Australian site is selected as SKA site Evaluate siting project and identify improvements June 2005 October 2003 June 2004

Completed: December 2003 Revised: September 2004 Completed: October 2003 Revised: September 2004 Revised: December 2004 On schedule Draft procedure and selection criteria already produced. Awaiting final RFP from ISSC. ASKACC chose Mileura Station, WA as the reference site. One month RFI site testing procedure released. Release of the RFP due September 2004. Delayed while waiting for RF protocol from ISSC.

June 2004

New milestone added in 03/04 project report. Target: October 2004

Revised: December 2005 Revised: March 2006 Revised: November 2005 Revised: September 2006 Revised: October 2006 There is some doubt within the project team whether this date can be achieved. ISSC have changed their SKA decision date to September 2006.

June 2005 June 2005

June 2006

June 2006

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1.3.3.6. SKA supercomputer simulation & baseband processing (SKASS) Task SUT SKA workforce established. SUT and Parkes supercomputer operational Initial simulations of baseband data including RFI Completion of a twostation software correlator running on the SUT supercomputer Investigation of new ATNF digital filter bank A meeting of Australian groups undertaking SKA simulations Participation in global coordination of SKA simulation activities Software correlator operational Workstation cluster to Narrabri Project plan June 2003 June 2003 June 2003 Status Completed Completed Completed Comments

June 2003

Completed

June 2003 June 2003

Completed Completed

June 2003

Completed

June 2004 June 2004

Completed Revised: October 2004 Completed

A baseband recording June 2004 system that can be deployed at any Australian radio telescope A meeting of international groups undertaking SKA simulations Establish the MIT/Haystack simulation software package as the standard SKA simulation package Complete development of the LOFAR package as the standard simulation package for SKA June 2004

Completed: July 2003

June 2004

Revised: October 2004

June 2005

Cancelled

These three milestones have now been replaced by the five new milestones listed below. These

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Software correlator integrated with array configuration studies RFI mitigation studies at Parkes and the ATCA Develop MIT/Haystack simulation package to be suitable for SKA studies. Use clusters at Parkes and ATCA, in conjunction with the baseband recorders, to conduct RFI surveys at these two sites. Use cluster at ATCA to process pulsar observations and measure suitability of the ATCA tied-array for pulsar observations. Use software correlator, baseband recorders and supercomputing facilities to prove the concept of eVLBI using an array of Australian radio telescopes. Develop software to calculate SKA cost based on parameters provided by all international SKA consortium members and guidelines set by the International Engineering Management Team. Demonstrate RFI mitigation in simulated and real data Real and simulated spectral line observations with RFI mitigation

June 2005

Cancelled

June 2005

Cancelled On schedule

modifications have been in response to several new opportunities within Australian SKA-related projects and within the international SKA project. New milestone, added in 03/04 project report. Target: June 2005. New milestone, added in 03/04 project report. Target: June 2005.

On schedule

On schedule

New milestone, added in 03/04 project report. Target: June 2005.

On schedule

New milestone, added in 03/04 project report. Target: June 2005.

On schedule

New milestone, added in 03/04 project report. Target: June 2005.

June 2006

On schedule

June 2007

On schedule

These milestones will be described in more detail next year, since they follow from the old 2003/04 milestones which have been replaced.

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2. Research, access & collaboration
2.1. Facility's access regime
2.1.1. Gemini
All Australian astronomers are eligible to apply for time on the Gemini telescopes. Proposals are evaluated on the basis of scientific merit by the Australian Time Allocation Committee, which oversees time allocation on all optical/infrared nationalaccess telescopes. There is no direct charge for access to the Gemini telescopes and the telescopes are not used for commercial purposes. In 2003/04 a total of thirty proposals requesting time on the Gemini telescopes were received, involving one-hundred and sixty-two astronomers. Twenty-one of these proposals were allocated time, amounting to one-hundred and forty hours on GeminiNorth and seventy-one hours on Gemini-South. The Australian Time Assignment Committee provided detailed technical and scientific feedback to both successful and unsuccessful applicants. When new instruments, such as those being developed by the Research School for Astronomy and Astrophysics and the Anglo-Australian Observatory, are commissioned on the Gemini telescopes, they will be available to all Gemini consortium astronomers, including Australian astronomers.

2.1.2. SKA
As the SKA will not be operational for many years, there is currently no defined access regime. However, the Australian facilities that are being developed or enhanced as part of the SKA planning phase have the following access regimes: · Australia Telescope Compact Array: Proposals for observing time are allocated by the Australia Telescope National Facility's time assignment committee on the basis of scientific merit. Molonglo prototype: Proposals for observing time will be allocated by the Australia Telescope National Facility's time assignment committee. Swinburne supercomputer: Anyone in the SKA community who requires substantial computing resources to undertake SKA-related investigations may contact the Swinburne SKA Project Leader to obtain a resource allocation. Users are not charged for access to the facility and there is no commercial use of the facility. To date thirty people have already used the facility: ten from Swinburne, eleven from other Australian intuitions and nine from overseas.

· ·

2.2. Collaboration and linkages
Australian astronomers continue to work closely with international researchers on collaborative studies. For example, in 2003/04 seventy percent of the proposals made by Australian researchers to use the Gemini telescopes involved an international collaboration. This international collaboration also occurs in the technology being developed for telescopes. For example the Wide-Field Multi-Object Spectrograph feasibility study involves collaboration with the National Optical Astronomy Observatory and the

20


Johns Hopkins University in the USA, the Universities of Oxford, Durham and Portsmouth in the UK, and the Canadian Astronomical Data Centre. At a National level, a joint study on the new technology demonstrator antenna technology was completed in collaboration with Connell Wagner Pty Ltd.

2.3. Facility's contribution to research and training
2.3.1. Gemini
In 2003/04 thirteen Australian PhD students obtained Gemini data for their thesis and ten postdoctoral researchers from the Australian National University, Swinburne University of Technology, University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, and University of Queensland, were supported on Gemini-related ARC grants. In addition to the scientific research, training also occurs in the area of instrumentation development. For example, sixteen Australian National University engineers and technicians are working on the GSAOI and NIFS projects. Involvement in these projects exposes these professionals to design tools, components, procedures, and international collaborative discussions to which they would not otherwise have had access. On-time acceptance by the Gemini Observatory of GSAOI and NIFS will then generate thirty-two guaranteed nights on the telescopes for the instrument teams to use these instruments, contributing to further opportunities for science research.

2.3.2. SKA
During 2003/04 there were two PhD students working under the new technology demonstrator project, one PhD student working under the microwave/millimetre-wave integrated circuit project and three PhD students working under the SKA Molonglo prototype project. In March 2004 a Masters student submitted his thesis as part of the SKA supercomputer simulation project. These projects are allowing Australian technologists to develop and maintain skills that will be highly marketable for the SKA project, for example wide-band antenna development, multi-path digital signal processing and innovative signal correlation techniques. It is also worth noting that Australia Telescope National Facility's expertise in the design and construction of state-of-the-art low noise amplifiers, a critical component for radio astronomy systems, is possibly the best in the World.

2.4. Contribution to Australian industry
Auspace Ltd is a small Australian enterprise based on advanced space technology. Auspace recognises that astronomical instrumentation demands similar technological skills to space instrumentation, and that astronomical instrumentation is a significant international market with over ten billion US dollars to be invested internationally in astronomical hardware over the next decade. The re-building of the Near-infrared Integral-Field Spectrograph by Auspace following the 2003 Canberra bushfire has resulted in technology transfer from the Australian National University to Auspace, strengthening the company's market position. In addition the SKA Molonglo prototype stage one continuum correlator has been sent to the South Australian company EnTech for manufacture.

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3. Promotion of the facility
3.1. Gemini
The Australian share of Gemini (http://www.ausgo.unsw.edu.au/) continues to be viewed as a key optical telescope facility by Australian astronomers, with every Australian astronomer aware of their right to apply to use this facility. The professional status of the Australian share of Gemini was further enhanced in 2003/04 with several papers published in refereed journals: Croom, S.M., Schade, D., Boyle, B.J., Shanks, T., Miller, L., Smith, R.J. 2004, ApJ, 606, 126. "Gemini Imaging of QSO Host Galaxies at z~2". · Stanway, E.R., Glazebrook, K., Bunker, A.J., Abraham, R.G., Hook, I., Rhoads, J., McCarthy, P.J., Boyle, B., Colless, M., Crampton, D., Couch, W., Jorgensen, I., Malhotra, S., Murowinski, R., Roth, K., Savaglio, S., Tsvetanov, Z. 2004, 604, L13. "Three Ly Emitters at z~6: Early GMOS/Gemini Data from the GLARE Project". · Forbes, D., Favio, R.F., Forte, J.C., Bridges, T., Beasley, M.A., Gebhardt, K., Hanes, D.A., Sharples, R., Zepf, S.E. 2004, Mon. Not, Royal, Astr. Soc., in press. "Gemini/GMOS Imaging of Globular Clusters in the Virgo Galaxy NGC4649 (M60)". In addition, this facility has also been promoted to the Australian public. For example, in 2003/04 three major media releases announcing Australian-involved discoveries with Gemini were issued. These resulted in a number of articles appearing in national newspapers and websites, including The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, Sunday Sun Herald, Canberra Times and ABC Online. The importance of these discoveries was demonstrated by their coverage in international newspapers and magazines including New Scientist and Scientific American. These media releases also led to the Australian Gemini Scientist being interviewed on SBS Radio. The Australian Gemini Scientist has also been active promoting Gemini to the public and astronomers in lectures and presentations. (See Appendix A for details of numbers of newspaper articles, presentations, etc.) The international status of our technologists has also received international attention. For example, two papers on the Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (http://www.mso.anu.edu.au/gsaoi/) were presented at an international astronomical instrumentation conference. This instrument's critical design review was also used by the Gemini Observatory as their ideal in the tendering process for second-generation Gemini instruments. ·

3.2. SKA
The six projects within the Astronomy MNRF involved with SKA are actively working with international partners to position Australia at the forefront of SKA. For example, presentations on the new technology demonstrator have been given at the International SKA meeting in South Africa. However, the promotion of SKA as a usable facility will not commence until much later in the development of SKA.

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4. Commercialisation: New technology demonstrator
Application of low loss dielectric materials to Luneburg lenses The new technology demonstrator project has developed a new process for the production of low loss microwave dielectrics. This process may be commercially valuable and has therefore been protected by an international PCT patent application. CSIRO's Molecular Science and Manufacturing & Infrastructure Technology divisions have been negotiating with the Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (VCAMM) and Polyfoam Australia Pty Ltd to undertake a development project to exploit and further develop this technology. The target applications are currently Luneberg lens, horns and other antennae devices for microwave telecommunications devices for both home and industry. There is also an interest in tracking and security devices. The proposed project is dependent upon VCAMM securing follow-on funding from the Victorian government via the science, technology and infrastructure program. VCAMM will know by the end of the year if they have been successful or not. If funding is secured business and project plans will be written and submitted to the Victorian government. Optimisation algorithms for Luneburg lenses and feed structures Using the knowledge gained during the new technology demonstrator project, CSIRO engineers now have the skills and experience relevant to the commercial use of Luneburg lens technology. CSIRO's Information and Communication Technology division is currently investigating the application of such technology for use as a satellite terminal on mobile platforms. Such a scenario would allow Luneburg lenses and feed structures to be optimised to provide real-time broad-band communications from low altitude aircraft via satellite. The use of the previously mentioned low loss dielectric materials may also be relevant to this commercial application.

23


5. Compliance with biological & radiation safeguards
Both the Gemini and SKA facilities are purely for astronomical research and associated technological developments. This work is not normally considered contentious in terms of science ethics, environmental risks, or danger to participants or others. The Gemini Observatories have fulfilled all environmental requirements for their operation, as have the facilities of the Australia Telescope. Any expansion of Australia Telescope activities beyond the existing sites will be subject to an environmental impact study. Site selection studies for the SKA in Western Australia are in collaboration with the Office of Science and Innovation and local leaders of the Aboriginal community.

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6. Financial report
6.1. Financial summary
During 2003/04 the Astronomy MNRF revenue1 continued to track reasonably close to schedule. From the commencement of the MNRF until 30th June 2004, $18,636,000 in revenue had been received against a budget of $18,713,000. The Astronomy MNRF under-spent during 2003/04 by $2,609,000. This continues the trend from 2002/03 of significantly under-spending. From the commencement of the MNRF until 30th June 2004, $15,196,000 in expenses2 had been incurred against a budget of $19,895,000. This 24% under-spend is due to a number of projects running behind schedule. 2003/04 financial summary ($,000) Actual Revenue Expense Surplus 10,294 8,508 1,806 ($,000) Budget 10,665 11,117 (452) Diff. (3%) (23%)

2001/04 financial summary ($,000) Actual Revenue Expense Surplus 18,636 15,196 3,460 ($,000) Budget 18,713 19,895 (1,182) Diff. 0% (24%)

Note: The financial details from which the above summary is drawn are in section 6.3. Electronic scans of the auditors' reports in agreement with the financial details are in section 6.4. This financial report also confirms that all expenditure of the MNRF grant has been solely on the Facility in accordance with the Facility business plan.

Dr Martin Cole Chairman 30th November 2004
1

Dr Lister Staveley-Smith Director 30th November 2004

Revenue means the total MNRF revenue, calculated as the sum of in-kind contributions from participants, and cash contributions from participants and DEST. 2 Expense means the total MNRF expense, calculated as the sum of in-kind contributions from participants and cash expenditure.

25


6.2. Financial summary by project
An analysis of the 2003/04 finances by project indicates that the combined CABB and MMIC under-spend accounts for over half of the total under-spend for the 2003/04 financial year. An analysis of the finances by project from the commencement of the MNRF until 30th June 2004 shows that the Gemini, CABB and MMIC projects have significantly underspent their budgets. Note: As the footnotes to the following table demonstrate, the initial project budgets have been established in such a manner that does not allow the sum of the perproject budget cash contributions and cash expense to be compared directly with the official MNRF budget. Therefore, the exact breakdown of the $2,609,000 under-spend as stated in 6.1 cannot be identified on a per project basis from the following table. However, the table does allow the general trend of which projects are underspending to be identified. 2003/04 financial summary by project In-kind ($,000) ($,000) Actual Office Gemini RSAA inst AAO inst CABB NTD MMIC SKAMP SKA siting SKASS Total 43 0 216 413 163 476 46 140 71 94 1,662 Budget Diff. 50 0 173 252 350 610 300 131 200 429 2,494 (15%) 0% 25% 64% (53%) (22%) (85%) 7% (64%) (78%) (33%) Cash contribution ($,000) ($,000) Actual 745 5,361 0 0 798 780 426
5 5 5 3

Cash expense ($,000) ($,000) Actual 79 5,351 0 0 306 732 98 0 0 280 6,846 Budget4 Diff. 104 5,687 0 1,125 1,100 600 0 205 9,202
7

Budget Diff. 104 5,687 0 1,125 1,100 600 310 0 205 9,2026 (29%) (6%) 0% (29%) (29%) (29%) (3%) N/A 206% (6%)

(24%) (6%) 0% (73%) (33%) (84%) 0% 36% (26%)

70 (100%)

70 (100%)

301 264 628 8,632

310 (100%)

Includes cash contributions from the participants and from DEST. The business plan does not contain budget estimates for project cash expense. The project budget cash expense has therefore been assumed to equal the project budget cash revenue as recorded in the business plan. 5 The CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility accounts do not record revenue on a per project basis. The $2,078,000 total DEST and ATNF cash contribution to the Project Office, CABB, NTD and MMIC projects in 2003/04 has therefore been recorded in the above table based upon the cash revenue budget ratio. 6 This total does not match the equivalent total from financial table: Cash Contributions from Participating Parties, $8,171,000. This occurs because the DEST funding profile, accurately captured in the annex to the business plan, does not match the sum of the project budgets' facility contribution defined in the business plan. 7 This total does not match the equivalent total from financial table: Cash Heads of Expenditure, $8,623,000. See footnotes 4 and 6 above.
4

3

26


6.3. Financial tables
6.3.1. In-Kind Contributions from Participating Parties

27


6.3.2. Cash Contributions from Participating Parties

28


6.3.3. Cash Heads of Expenditure

29


6.3.4. Summary of Resources Applied to Activities of MNRF

30


6.3.5. Summary of Planning/Construction/Upgrade/Operating Expenditure

31


6.3.6. Cash Cost (net of GST) of Purchased Capital Equipment

32


6.4. Auditors' reports
6.4.1. Australian Gemini Office

33


6.4.2. Anglo-Australian Observatory

34


35


36


37


6.4.3. Australia National University

38


39


40


6.4.4. CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility

41


42


6.4.5. CSIRO Information & Communications Technology

43


44


45


6.4.6. Swinburne University of Technology

46


47


6.4.7. University of Sydney

48


49


6.4.8. WA department of Science and Innovation

STANTON PARTNERS
1 HAVELOCK STREET WEST PERTH 6005 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
TELEPHONE: (08) 9481 3188 Facsimile: (08) 9321 1204 e-mail: australia@stanton.com.au

INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT TO THE COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION ("CSIRO") REPRESENTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN TELESCOPE NATIONAL FACILITY ("Division") Scope We have audited the attached Payments Statement ("Statement") for the Department of Education, Science and Training: Major National Research Facilities ("MNRF") Gemini and Square Kilometre Array 2003/2004 ("GSKA") program run through the Office of Science and Innovation ("OSI") of the Department of Premier and Cabinet pursuant to an agreement between the OSI and the CSIRO Division. The OSI is responsible for the information contained in the Statement and has determined that the Statement meets the needs of the acquittal requirements of the CSIRO Division. We have independently audited the Statement in order to express an opinion. The attached Statement has been prepared, pursuant to the MNRF Participation Deed, for the purpose of reporting to the CSIRO Division. We disclaim any assumption of responsibility for any reliance on this report or on the Statement to which it relates to any person other than the purpose for which it was prepared. Our audit has been conducted in accordan Our procedures included examination, on amounts in the Statement and verification facility in relation to expenditure incurred procedures have been undertaken to form respects, the Statement is presented fairly accepted accounting standards. ce with Australian Accounting Standards. a test basis, of evidence supporting the of the existence of a separate accounting on the MNRF GSKA program. These an opinion as to whether, in all material in accordance with applicable generally

The audit opinion expressed in this report has been formed on the above basis.

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Audit Opinion In our opinion, the Statement presents fairly, in accordance with the MNRF Participation Deed, of actual expenditure incurred for the MNRF GSKA program.

STANTON PARTNERS

J VAN DIEREN Partner West Perth, Western Australia 29 September 2004

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DEPARTMENT OF PREMIER & CABINET Office of Science & Innovation

PAYMENTS STATEMENT Department of Education, Science and Training ­ Major National Research Facilities Gemini & Square Kilometre Array Program 2003/2004

30 June 2004 $

EXPENDITURE Salaries Project costs Total Expenditure

71,379 263,975 335,354

CER

TIFICATION

I, William Robert Gates, Manager, International Science Infrastructure, hereby certify that the above information is true and correct and is understood by the Office of Science & Innovation to include only expenditure eligible within accordance with the MNRF Participation Deed.

Signed

Date: 29/09/2004

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Appendix A: Performance indicator survey
Note: There are two facilities covered by this MNRF: The Australian share of Gemini and the SKA. As the SKA will not be operational until at least the next decade, it is not possible to complete a performance indicator survey for the SKA. Therefore this performance indicator survey is only related to the Australian share of Gemini facility. Name of Facility The Australian share of Gemini NB: All questions refer to the current reporting period, unless otherwise specified. 1. Facility demand and usage (a) Facility demand >100% indicates Facility is oversubscribed (b) Users accessing the Facility User Type National Number International Percentage Number of total users 4% 0 Total Percentage Number of total users 0% 3 152 %

·

Public-funded researchers (not university) Industry University Other (please specify) Total

3

· · · ·

0 72 0 75

0% 96% 0% 100%

0 0 0 0

0% 0% 0% 0%

0 72 0 75

(c) Competitive government grants used to access and conduct research at the Facility Not applicable. Astronomers are not charged to use the Australian share of Gemini, rather time is allocated on scientific merit. The funding for the Australian share is Gemini is detailed in the financial tables elsewhere in the annual report. (d) Opportunity cost to access similar overseas facilities Not applicable. No eight metre class optical telescopes exist in Australia, and the Australian share of Gemini is already Australian access to an international facility. (e) Details of similar/same facilities emerging in Australia Not applicable. No eight metre class optical telescopes are planned for Australia. 2. Access arrangements (a) User satisfaction with access arrangements The Australian Gemini Office has initiated a survey of all Australian users who had been awarded Gemini time over the last four years. The main goals of this survey are to obtain statistics on program completion rates, to evaluate the scientific return from

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Gemini time in terms of major results and peer-reviewed publications, and to obtain feedback from users on problems encountered in this context and how the end-to-end observing process could be better improved. The responses to this survey are still being received at the time of writing, and hence the results will not be reported until the 2004/05 annual report. (b) To what extent have overseas users accessing the Facility provided increased leverage for Australian researchers to access overseas facilities? In addition to the enhanced links Australia has developed with the other partner countries through its membership in Gemini, science programs being pursued by Australian researchers on the Gemini telescopes involve a high level of international collaboration. In 2003/04 seventy percent of proposals involved international collaboration. Collaborations involving astronomers in countries which belong to the Gemini partnership have the opportunity of obtaining multiple allocations of time for their project through being able to apply to the individual time assignment committees in each of the partner countries. Australian astronomers are effective users of this "joint proposal" mechanism; in 2003/04, thirty percent of the proposals received were in this category. 3. Facility promotion and enhancement to Australian SET (a) Publications and activities which include data obtained from research performed at the Facility Publication Academic Peer reviewed journal and conference articles Books and chapters in books Media Other (Websites) Newspaper, TV, radio Popular scientific press (eg ABC Science Online) Number Local 0 0 14 3 3 Overseas 3 0 7 20 5

(b) Prizes awarded for research conducted at the Facility Award Name of awardee Reason

(c) Other communication and promotional activities Activity Trade Displays Seminars Community-based fora eg talks to schools Number Local 1 6 2 Overseas 0 10 0

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Workshops Conference poster presentations Other (PMSEIC presentation)

1 3 1

0 5 0

(d) To what extent has the Facility contributed to enhancing the skills base and training opportunities for Australian researchers? The Gemini telescopes are playing an important role in the training of Australian postgraduate students. In 2003/04 forty percent of the proposals received had Australian PhD student involvement, which in terms of numbers amounts to thirteen students who obtained Gemini data for their thesis. In addition there are ten postdoctoral researchers supported on Gemini-related ARC grants, located at the Australian National University's Research School for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Swinburne University of Technology, the University of Melbourne, the University of New South Wales and the University of Queensland. 4. Collaborative activities Gemini is an international partnership managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy under a cooperative agreement with the USA National Science Foundation. The running of the Gemini telescopes is therefore beyond the scope of this report which is concerned solely with the approximately six percent of Gemini that comprises the Australian share of Gemini. The international collaboration of the users of the Australian share of Gemini is covered in 2 (b) above. 5. Commercial activity and application of research results (a) New Australian Enterprises Activity Start-up companies and spinoffs Other (please specify) Number 0 0 Capitalisati on ($'000) 0 0 Comment

(b) What evidence is there that industry and research users are adopting sophisticated technologies and advanced designs and products developed by use of the Facility? None. (c) What evidence is there of new industry and/or research clusters, or expansion of existing clusters, that can be attributed to the existence and use of the Facility? None.

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6. Financial indicators (a) Income from access arrangements User Type · Public-funded researchers (not university) Industry University Other (please specify) Total National ($'000) 0 International ($'000) 0 Total ($'000) 0

· · · ·

0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0

(b) Additional investment (surplus to budget in Schedule 3) Investor National Cash ($'000) · Public-funded researchers (not university) Industry University Federal Government State Government Local Government Non-Government Org Philanthropic contributions Other (please specify) Total 0 In-kind ($'000) 0 International Cash ($'000) 0 In-kind ($'000) 0

· · · · · · · · ·

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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(c) Commercialisation of research results and knowledge diffusion Activity · · Licensing agreements Contract services and consultancies undertaken by Facility for fee paying clients Income to Facility from royalties and sales of products and services Other (please specify) Total Number 0 0 Income ($'000) 0 0 Comment

·

0

0

· ·

0 0

0 0

(d) Total income received in the reporting year Income type · · · · Total Cash ($'000) Total In-kind ($'000 ) Total MNRF grant ($'000) Total National 2,261 0 3,100 5,361 0 International 0 0 Total 2,261 0 3,100 5,361

(e) Self sufficiency in terms of operating costs Percentage of total income that covers the Facility's operating costs excluding the MNRF grant.8 Declaration I acknowledge that giving false or misleading information is a serious offence. 55%

Signature of Facility project scientist: Printed Name: Date: Prof Warrick Couch 15th September 2004

During 2003/04 $1,282,000 of the MNRF grant was used towards the purchase of an additional share of Gemini for Australia, and $1,818,000 was contributed towards the operating costs of the Australian share of Gemini. The calculation of the self sufficiency of operating costs only considered the portion of the MNRF grant contributed towards the operating costs.

8

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Appendix B: AABoM members
· · · · · · · · Dr Martin Cole (Chair), Cole Innovation & Design Pty Ltd Dr Brian Boyle, CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility Dr Matthew Colless, Anglo-Australian Observatory Dr Ron Ekers, CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility Mr Roger Franzen, Auspace Ltd Prof Penny Sackett, Australian National University Dr Lister Staveley-Smith, CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility Prof Erich Weigold, Australian Research Council

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Appendix C: AABoM's advisory committees' members
Australian Gemini Steering Committee · Prof. Gary Da Costa (Chair), Australian National University · A/Prof. Tim Bedding, University of Sydney · Dr Brian Boyle, CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility · Prof. Warrick Couch, University of New South Wales · Prof. Ron Ekers, CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility · Dr Anne Green, University of Sydney · Prof. Penny Sackett, Australian National University · Prof. Vicki Sara, Australian Research Council · Prof. Rachel Webster, University of Melbourne Australian Square Kilometre Array Consortium Committee · Dr Bob Frater (Chair), ResMed Ltd · Dr Martin Cole (Deputy Chair), Cole Innovation & Design Pty Ltd · Prof. Matthew Bailes, Swinburne University of Technology · Mr Tony Barry, Connell Wagner Pty Ltd · Dr Brian Boyle, CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility · Dr Wim Brouw, CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility · Dr Matthew Colless, Anglo-Australian Observatory · Dr Ron Ekers, CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility · Dr Anne Green, University of Sydney · Dr John O'Sullivan, Cisco Systems Australia Pty Ltd · Prof. Elaine Sadler, University of Sydney · Prof. Mark Sceats, Australian Photonics Pty Ltd · Dr Brian Schmidt, Australian National University · Prof. John Storey, University of New South Wales · Dr Michelle Storey, CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility · Mr Stephen Trengove-Jones, Department of Education, Science and Training · Prof. Ah Chung Tsoi, Australian Research Council · Dr Alex Zelinsky, CSIRO Information & Communication Technology

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Appendix D: Project leaders and project participants
Project Office ­ Ray Norris9 · CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility Increased share of Gemini telescopes ­ Gary Da Costa · CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility · Australian Research Council · Australian National University · University of Sydney · University of New South Wales · University of Melbourne · Swinburne University of Technology RSAA Gemini instrumentation ­ Penny Sackett · Australian National University AAO Gemini instrumentation ­ Sam Barden · Anglo-Australian Observatory AT compact array broadband backend (CABB) ­ Warwick Wilson · CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility Ne · · · · w technology demonstrator (NTD) ­ Colin Jacka10 CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility CSIRO Information & Communication Technology CSIRO Manufacturing & Infrastructure Technology CSIRO Molecular Science

Microwave/millimetre-wave integrated circuit (MMIC) ­ Warwick Wilson · CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility SKA Molonglo prototype (SKAMP) ­ Anne Green · University of Sydney · CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility · CSIRO Information & Communication Technology SKA siting ­ Ron Beresford · CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility · Government of Western Australia SKA supercomputer simulation & baseband processing (SKASS) ­ Steven Tingay · Swinburne University of Technology · Dell Computer Pty Ltd · Government of Victoria
9

10

Due to hand over responsibility for this role early in 2004/05 From 1st July 2004

60