Abstract

Creating accurate software based models of phased array feeds (PAFs) is one of many steps to successfully integrating PAFs with current and future radio telescopes, which is a goal of many groups around the globe. This thesis characterizes the latest models of a 19 element hexagonal PAF of dipoles used by the BYU radio astronomy research group and presents comparisons of these models with experimental data obtained using a prototype array. Experiments were performed at the NRAO site in Green Bank, West Virginia, and utilized the outdoor antenna test range and 20 meter radio telescope. Accurate modeling of the PAF requires modeling the signal and noise characteristics of the array, which is a computationally large problem. It also requires accurate modeling of the noise contribution of the receivers connected to the coupled array, which is something that has only recently been understood. The modeled and measured element receive patterns, array impedance matrix, signal and noise correlation matrices, and efficiencies and sensitivities of the PAF are compared and promising levels of agreement are shown. Modeled sensitivity is 30 to 46% larger than measured.

Degree

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology; Electrical and Computer Engineering

Rights

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