Design and development of low cost versatile correlator for BDA

• Grant number: 11/17183-5
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: February 12, 2012
• End date: December 14, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy - Astronomical Instrumentation
• Principal Investigator: Hanumant Shankar Sawant
• Grantee: Hanumant Shankar Sawant
• Visiting researcher: Sandeep Kumar Sirothia
• Visiting researcher institution: Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) , India
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São José dos Campos
• Associated research grant: 06/55883-0 - Development of Brazilian Decimetric Array (phase II), AP.TEM

Abstract

Dr. Sandeep K. Sirothia, from NCRA-TIFR is participating of the development of project BDA since 2004. Currently, he is developing, in India, necessary software for project BDA of 38 antennas with two polarizations, with capacity of tracking for 8 hours continuosly. With the orientation of the Dr Sandeep, the company Neuron Eletrônica, of São José dos Campos, is developing the system of the hardware for the correlacionador since November 2010 and it will finish the electronic part of the correlacionador until the beginning of October of 2011. In this visit, he will verify the hardware of the correlacionador system, together with the Neuron company. He will promote the installation of software developed in India, in colaboration with the BDA team. He will test the functioning of this correlacionador with 8 antennas in transit and tracking mode, observing the Sun and Cygnus A, considering the new trcking system is completley installed and functioned for 8 antennas of the array. This will allow the BDA team to initiate the tests in the transit mode of the other antennas when the receivers and other systems will be installed. Also important it is that his visit will allow two visiting researchers, to give continuity without delays in its projects in progress. The Team of the Intelligent Motion will install the tracking system to others 18 antennas of the array, together with the Dr. Sandeep using the developed correlacionador. What will allow to test the precision of the tracking system of all 26 antennas together, and the synchronism of the 26 antennas. (AU)