OVSA Experience of Relevance to FASR
Frequency-Agile Interferometry | |
Quick Overview of OVSA | |
Multi-frequency calibration | |
Simplifications | |
Complications | |
Conclusions |
7 Antennas | ||
2 large (27 m) | ||
5 small (2 m) | ||
Frequency Agile | ||
Tune in any sequence to any of 86 frequencies in range 1-18 GHz | ||
10 ms sample time (takes 8 s to tune to 40 frequencies in each of RCP and LCP) |
Quick Overview of OVSA | |
Multi-frequency calibration | |
Simplifications | |
Complications | |
Conclusions |
The system phase on each individual baseline is random with frequency | |
Multi-frequency Calibration II
However, the difference in phase for a given baseline, from one time to the next, follows a linear frequency dependence. |
Quick Overview of OVSA | |
Multi-frequency calibration | |
Simplifications | |
Complications | |
Conclusions |
Calibrate once | |
every 2 hours | |
Ref calibration |
Quick Overview of OVSA | |
Multi-frequency calibration | |
Simplifications | |
Complications | |
Conclusions |
Quick Overview of OVSA | |
Multi-frequency calibration | |
Simplifications | |
Complications | |
Conclusions |
Take advantage of the smoothness of most frequency-dependent phase changes. | |
Expect phase changes ~f for atmosphere and cables, ~f -2 for the ionosphere. Frequency-independent phase offsets are also possible. | |
Lobe ambiguities need not be a driver for time between phase calibrations (although linearity of phase changes will be). | |
Care must be taken to calibrate frequency-to-frequency amplitudes (self-cal is no help). | |