Simulating the Sky as Seen by the Square Kilometer Array using the MIT Array Performance Simulator (MAPS)

Details Simulating the Sky as Seen by the Square Kilometer Array using the MIT Array Performance Simulator (MAPS) Simulating the Sky as Seen by the Square Kilometer Array using the MIT Array Performance Simulator (MAPS)

May 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aas...21440404m&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #214, #404.04; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.667

Computer Science

Performance

Scientific paper

The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) is a proposed next-generation radio telescope that will operate at frequencies of 0.1-30 GHz and be 50-100 times more sensitive than existing radio arrays. Meeting the performance goals of this instrument will require innovative new hardware and software developments, a variety of which are now under consideration. Key to evaluating the performance characteristics of proposed SKA designs and testing the feasibility of new data calibration and processing algorithms is the ability to carry out realistic simulations of radio wavelength arrays under a variety of observing conditions. The MIT Array Performance Simulator (MAPS) (http://www.haystack.mit.edu/ast/arrays/maps/index.html) is an observations simulation package designed to achieve this goal. MAPS accepts an input source list or sky model and generates a model visibility set for a user-defined "virtual observatory'', incorporating such factors as array geometry, primary beam shape, field-of-view, and time and frequency resolution. Optionally, effects such as thermal noise, out-of-beam sources, variable station beams, and time/location-dependent ionospheric effects can be included. We will showcase current capabilities of MAPS for SKA applications by presenting results from an analysis of the effects of realistic sky backgrounds on the achievable image fidelity and dynamic range of SKA-like arrays comprising large numbers of small-diameter antennas.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Simulating the Sky as Seen by the Square Kilometer Array using the MIT Array Performance Simulator (MAPS) does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Simulating the Sky as Seen by the Square Kilometer Array using the MIT Array Performance Simulator (MAPS), we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Simulating the Sky as Seen by the Square Kilometer Array using the MIT Array Performance Simulator (MAPS) will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1106566