Beamforming Techniques and Interference Mitigation Using a Multiple Feed Array for Radio Astronomy

<p>Radio frequency interference has become a large problem to radio astronomers. This thesis proposes the idea that radio frequency interference can be mitigated using a phased array feed in conjunction with a large reflector. A phased array feed would allow radio astronomers to observe fainter signals than is currently possible, while at the same time enabling rapid sky surveys. A phased array feed was designed and simulated, and sensitivity optimization was performed on the array feed. It was shown that higher sensitivity can be achieved using a 7-element phased array feed than with a conventional waveguide feed. Simulations were ran using RFI mitigation algorithms on the array to show that interference cancellation can, in principle, be performed using a phased array feed. In addition to these simulations, improvements were made to a previously designed RF receiver so that radio astronomy observations could be made and interference mitigation algorithms tested on a receiver platform.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Grantor dc:publisher

Brigham Young University - Provo

Author dc:creator

• Hansen, Chad K.

• phased array
• array feed
• interference mitigation
• radio astronomy
• multiple feed
• sensitivity
• reflector
• radio frequency interference
• spillover efficiency
• gain
• Electrical and Computer Engineering

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/216

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsarchive.byu.edu:etd-1215