VLBI Backend Systems — Perspectives in 2012
Transactions of IAA RAS, issue 16, 128–138 (2007)
Keywords: Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), radio astronomy, VLBI backend systems, VLBI backend area, domains transition point, radio observatories digital technology, data handling process, signal path, RFI and calibration effects, DSP algorithms, sensitivity of the observatories, global applications
Abstract
A new technological vision on the future of the VLBI backend area let envision a fully digital implementation of what was until now performed in the analog domain. Several advantages can indeed be expected moving the domains transition point in an earlier stage, at IF frequency instead than at the final base-band. Such quantum leap can be afforded because of the rapid changes in digital technology that radio observatories continue to look for maintaining their competitive edge. New processing technologies here discussed will make it possible to reconfigure the whole data handling process using digital conversion to base-band and then to fully benefit of the high data rates in new acquisition and data transport systems, while simultaneously improving the reliability and flexibility of the signal path. In addition, a digital representation of the IF and base-band signals will provide the opportunity to correct for various RFI and calibration effects using embedded DSP algorithms. In order to implement these new techniques a number of major modifications are needed at all telescopes for both single-dish and for VLBI operations. Such modifications could greatly enhance the overall sensitivity of the observatories and improve the reliability of operations. The new hardware should comply with the internationally adopted standards for VLBI in order to allow global applications. A description of one of the main developments in this area is reported, the DBBC projects. A general view is given together with some degree of details with respect to the implementation and achieved performance
Citation
G. Tuccari. VLBI Backend Systems — Perspectives in 2012 // Transactions of IAA RAS. — 2007. — Issue 16. — P. 128–138.
@article{tuccari2007,
abstract = {A new technological vision on the future of the VLBI backend area let envision a fully digital implementation of what was until now performed in the analog domain. Several advantages can indeed be expected moving the domains transition point in an earlier stage, at IF frequency instead than at the final base-band. Such quantum leap can be afforded because of the rapid changes in digital technology that radio observatories continue to look for maintaining their competitive edge. New processing technologies here discussed will make it possible to reconfigure the whole data handling process using digital conversion to base-band and then to fully benefit of the high data rates in new acquisition and data transport systems, while simultaneously improving the reliability and flexibility of the signal path. In addition, a digital representation of the IF and base-band signals will provide the opportunity to correct for various RFI and calibration effects using embedded DSP algorithms. In order to implement these new techniques a number of major modifications are needed at all telescopes for both single-dish and for VLBI operations. Such modifications could greatly enhance the overall sensitivity of the observatories and improve the reliability of operations. The new hardware should comply with the internationally adopted standards for VLBI in order to allow global applications. A description of one of the main developments in this area is reported, the DBBC projects. A general view is given together with some degree of details with respect to the implementation and achieved performance},
author = {G. Tuccari},
issue = {16},
journal = {Transactions of IAA RAS},
keyword = {Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), radio astronomy, VLBI backend systems, VLBI backend area, domains transition point, radio observatories digital technology, data handling process, signal path, RFI and calibration effects, DSP algorithms, sensitivity of the observatories, global applications},
pages = {128--138},
title = {VLBI Backend Systems — Perspectives in 2012},
url = {http://iaaras.ru/en/library/paper/509/},
year = {2007}
}
TY - JOUR
TI - VLBI Backend Systems — Perspectives in 2012
AU - Tuccari, G.
PY - 2007
T2 - Transactions of IAA RAS
IS - 16
SP - 128
AB - A new technological vision on the future of the VLBI backend area let
envision a fully digital implementation of what was until now
performed in the analog domain. Several advantages can indeed be
expected moving the domains transition point in an earlier stage, at
IF frequency instead than at the final base-band. Such quantum leap
can be afforded because of the rapid changes in digital technology
that radio observatories continue to look for maintaining their
competitive edge. New processing technologies here discussed will
make it possible to reconfigure the whole data handling process using
digital conversion to base-band and then to fully benefit of the high
data rates in new acquisition and data transport systems, while
simultaneously improving the reliability and flexibility of the
signal path. In addition, a digital representation of the IF and
base-band signals will provide the opportunity to correct for various
RFI and calibration effects using embedded DSP algorithms. In order
to implement these new techniques a number of major modifications are
needed at all telescopes for both single-dish and for VLBI
operations. Such modifications could greatly enhance the overall
sensitivity of the observatories and improve the reliability of
operations. The new hardware should comply with the internationally
adopted standards for VLBI in order to allow global applications. A
description of one of the main developments in this area is reported,
the DBBC projects. A general view is given together with some degree
of details with respect to the implementation and achieved
performance
UR - http://iaaras.ru/en/library/paper/509/
ER -