Central Development Laboratory

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The CDL mission is to develop devices, technologies,  and expertise critical for the next generation of radio astronomy instrumentation. CDL-developed technology is integral to all NRAO-operated telescopes and to many other radio telescopes around the world, and so, another important mission of the laboratory is providing maintenance and upgrades to these instruments.

CDL maintains a staff of ~50 personnel organized into teams of engineers and technicians working across crucial radio telescope technologies, including digital design and signal processing; low noise amplifiers; millimeter and submillimeter detectors; optics and electromagnetic components; and new receiver architectures. The laboratory is the world leader in the application of many of these technologies to radio astronomy. 

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In addition to these traditional mission areas, the CDL is providing engineering capability for new initiatives being undertaken at the Observatory—including engineering development for Advanced Spectrum Monitors (ASM) and in planning and design for the next generation radar (ngRadar) project.

CDL also supports the greater NRAO mission of developing the next generation of instrumentation engineers and scientists and advancing inclusive participation in science and engineering by:   

  • Hosting Jansky post-doctoral instrumentation engineers and scientists; 
  • Hosting undergraduate and graduate engineering students as part of CDL’s Cooperative (Co-op) Engineering Education Program;  
  • Advising, mentoring, and employing undergraduate and graduate engineering and astronomy students.   

The NRAO operates four of the world’s most powerful and unique radio telescopes: the VLA, VLBA, ALMA (in cooperation with its international partners), and the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope. The NRAO, in collaboration with the U.S. radio astronomy community at-large, continues to plan and develop an engineering design for a next-generation Very Large Array (ngVLA), and CDL contributes to ngVLA by participating as members of several Integrated Product Teams. 

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CDL continues to engage in cross-observatory repair, maintenance, support, and in several programmatic and work-for-other construction projects. All this while carrying out design and development of technologies for future instrumentation—including for the ngVLA and for ALMA. In addition, CDL continued investigating new and emerging technologies that have the potential to advance radio astronomy instrumentation beyond its current limits.

CDL continues to work with the NRAO Technology Transfer Manager to commercialize technology developed in the laboratory. At present, patents have been issued for 19 CDL inventions within 12 patent families, six of which have been licensed. In 2025, there were two more patent applications from CDL and one invention in disclosure process awaiting filing.

Connect with NRAO

The NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory and NSF Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NSF NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NSF NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NSF NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NSF NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (U.S. NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.