Characterization of a Phased Array Feed Model

<p>Creating accurate software based models of phased array feeds (PAFs) is one of many steps to successfully integrating PAFs with current and future radio telescopes, which is a goal of many groups around the globe. This thesis characterizes the latest models of a 19 element hexagonal PAF of dipoles used by the BYU radio astronomy research group and presents comparisons of these models with experimental data obtained using a prototype array. Experiments were performed at the NRAO site in Green Bank, West Virginia, and utilized the outdoor antenna test range and 20 meter radio telescope. Accurate modeling of the PAF requires modeling the signal and noise characteristics of the array, which is a computationally large problem. It also requires accurate modeling of the noise contribution of the receivers connected to the coupled array, which is something that has only recently been understood. The modeled and measured element receive patterns, array impedance matrix, signal and noise correlation matrices, and efficiencies and sensitivities of the PAF are compared and promising levels of agreement are shown. Modeled sensitivity is 30 to 46% larger than measured.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Grantor dc:publisher

Brigham Young University - Provo

Author dc:creator

• Jones, David A.

• phased array
• radio astronomy
• antenna
• PAF
• phased array feed
• HFSS
• Electrical and Computer Engineering

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/1490

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsarchive.byu.edu:etd-2489