Electromagnetic analysis and preliminary commissioning results of the shaped dual-reflector 32-m Ghana radio telescope

This paper presents results from the electromagnetic analysis of the African VLBI Network shaped Ghana radio telescope at the operating frequencies of 5 and 6.7 GHz. The geometry implemented in commercial electromagnetic software provides insight into the effects of the slanted beam-waveguide, shape...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IOP conference series. Materials Science and Engineering 2018-03, Vol.321 (1), p.12003
Main Authors: Venter, M, Bolli, P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Misalignment
Parabolic bodies
Radio telescopes
Sidelobes
Tolerances
Tolerances (mechanics)
Waveguides
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Summary:This paper presents results from the electromagnetic analysis of the African VLBI Network shaped Ghana radio telescope at the operating frequencies of 5 and 6.7 GHz. The geometry implemented in commercial electromagnetic software provides insight into the effects of the slanted beam-waveguide, shaped reflector illumination and mechanical tolerances, which are known to be more stringent compared to a perfect paraboloid. It is shown that the theoretical maximum gain and aperture efficiency at 5 GHz are 63.80 dBi and 85.45%, respectively. The corresponding values at 6.7 GHz are 66.47 dBi and 88.00%, respectively. Comparisons to sidelobe maps produced from astronomical observations are also discussed, showing possible misalignment in the structure when utilised outside its originally intended purpose.
ISSN:1757-8981
1757-899X
DOI:10.1088/1757-899X/321/1/012003