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Overview of ATNF Engineering

ATNF Engineering Research

Introduction

ATNF engineering research programs focus on developing, and applying, new technology and advanced design techniques to radio astronomy and allied fields. Expertise within the organization spans a very wide range, from ultra-low-noise millimetre-wave receivers, through the spectrum of digital signal processing, to precision servo control systems. Significantly, the ATNF breadth encompasses both design and in-house implementation capabilities - a strength exploited in internal programs and external contract work.

Structure

There are three groups within the ATNF engineering structure:

a receiver group , responsible for the ultra-low-noise signal receptors used in radio telescopes;
an electronics group , which deals mainly with fast, often highly-parallel, digital signal processors and their associated analog electronics systems;
an engineering research group, responsible for preliminary or strategic work in areas not easily accomodated in more mainstream programs.

The linked pages contain an overview of current research and development programs.

Recent Highlights

Engineering highlights of the past few years include:

The MNRF upgrade, will enable the Australia Telescope Compact Array to operate at smaller wavelength (higher frequency) and higher angular resolution, and is complemented by projects at Parkes and the Australia Telescope National Facility as a whole.

A major upgrade of the 64 m Parkes telescope involving replacement of the prime-focus cabin, provision of a computer controlled receiver placement system, and implementation of associated control software. This project, designed to allow rapid alternation between radio astronomy and spacecraft tracking modes, was undertaken in collaboration with outside consultants and received an honourable mention in the the 1997 Institution of Engineers (Australia) awards program. Click here for some background to the project.

A 13 beam, dual polarization, HI receiver for Parkes. As well as the feed and front-end assembly, new backends (correlator and filter) and software packages were developed for this innovative system.

A six station correlator for the Australian long baseline array (LBA) network, a system which ties together antennas situated in various parts of the continent, allowing simulation of a radio telescope of continental dimensions.

A 3 mm band, dual polarization, tunable SIS, receiver for the 22 m Mopra telescope. The receiver covers the range 85-115 GHz, with an equivalent noise temperature of ~80 K (measured at the optics input) at mid-band.

A 22 GHz receiver for Mopra to allow support of the VSOP (HALCA) orbiting very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) spacecraft.

A 22 GHz receiver for the Shanghai Observatory, Peoples' Republic of China, to allow stand-alone and VLBI astronomy in the 12 mm band.

A high performance, narrowband, receiver for the Parkes telescope to allow support of the NASA Galileo mission to Jupiter. Click here for a background article.

A wideband (1 - 3 GHz), low-noise, receiver for the SETI Institute to support Project Phoenix, the Institute's search for extra terrestial intelligence using the Parkes telescope.

A data acquisition system (DAS) for the Australian S2 VLBI network. The DAS provides bandwidths up to 64 MHz and uses digital filter technology for bandwidths in the range 62.5 kHz - 32 MHz.

Engineering Education

ATNF research and development programs offer excellent opportunities for training at graduate, undergraduate, diploma and trade levels. As well as PhD and Masters level possibilities, the ATNF operates a highly competitive industrial experience program for undergraduates. Details of vacation scholarships are available here . Engineering students interested in "sandwich", or similar, industrial experience programs should, after consulting their course co-ordinators, submit a CV and academic transcript to Mr John Brooks , engineering manager of the ATNF. Students interested in diploma and trade courses should check national daily newspapers; most opportunities are advertised towards the end of the academic year.

This page is maintained by Peter Hall
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