Colloq Abstract - Jeffs
November 1, 2019
11:00am Mountain
Brian Jeffs (Brigham Young University)
RFI Cancelation Methods for the VLA and ngVLA, and ALPACA: Development of a Phased Array Feed Radio Camera for Arecibo
Abstract
As part of the ngVLA Community Studies program, BYU graduate students Mitchell Burnett and Michael Lambert considered linear algebraic array subspace projection methods for radio frequency interference (RFI) cancelation with the ngVLA. A new algorithm was developed which improves cancelation performance even in the presence of RFI signal decorrelation across the very long baselines. This is a known limiting issue for applying modern array processing cancelation methods on large interferometric imaging instruments. A real VLA data experiment was used to evaluate canceling performance, with the VLA configured to simulate ngVLA decorrelation levels.
Also, BYU is teamed with Cornell University to develop ALPACA, a large new L-band cryogenic phased array feed (PAF) radio camera for the Arecibo Telescope. It’s wide field of view provided by 40 beam coverage will significantly increase survey speed over the existing ALFA multi-beam feed. Development progress and scientific capabilities will be discussed.
