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Antennas for ASKAP

The ASKAP antennas have the following specification:

• a prime focus (single reflector) antenna on an az-el mount/drive with a third (polarisation) axis to provide all-sky coverage
• a reflector of 12m diameter, unshaped paraboloid with f/D of 0.5 and painted white
• a quadripod feed leg support and prime focus platform able to support a maximum receiver (FPA) load of 200 kg
• a reflector surface capable of operation to 10 GHz (or better)

More details on the specificaton can be found in the ASKAP Antenna Public Specification (pdf file).

CSIRO has placed the contract for the design and build of 36 ASKAP antennas with the 54th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (known as CETC54). CETC54 is a state-owned institution, established in 1952. It has undertaken thousands of government and commercial projects in satellite communication, tracking, telemetry and control, and has designed and built the 50-m Miyun radio telescope for receiving data from China's Chang'E1 satellite. The institute is headquartered in Shijiazhuang, in Hebei province, about 200 km south of Beijing.

ASKAP requires low-cost, low-power and low-manpower build antennas on a scale not previously realised. ASKAP will be a survey telescope and its antennas must therefore provide a wide field-of-view - 30 square degrees - achieved by using a focal plane array that creates 30 separate, simultaneous beams.

The image illustrates the design of the ASKAP antennas as they will appear at the MRO site.

Parkes Testbed Facility (PTF)

In 2007 CSIRO purchased one 12-m prime focus dish from Patriot Antenna Systems of Michigan, USA. This has been completed at ATNF's Parkes Observatory. The antenna is now fully equipped with a chequerboard phased array feed and associated electronics, so that it is a complete 'testbed' for the ASKAP systems.

The PTF has two critical functions, namely:

1. to provide a dedicated platform for field tests of novel CSIRO-developed phased array feeds (PAF) at Parkes where (a) the radio frequency interference (RFI) environment is significantly better than Marsfield, and (b) we can also use the Parkes 64-m dish to provide a platform for deeper, more sensitive testing of the PAF in tandem with the PTF;
2. to provide a complete, integrated and functional ASKAP-like 'module antenna', comprising all elements which each ASKAP antenna will require in WA (although the ASKAP antennas structurally will differ from the PTF). The PTF pedestal will house an ASKAP-style beamformer and associated systems, and the physical requirements for these systems (space, ventilation) are under field assessment within the PTF.

This project will also develop antenna control systems software to support each stage of antenna development.

Close up of the chequerboard array on the PTF. Photo credit: David McClenaghan, CSIRO.	The 12m testbed antenna at Parkes.   Photo credit: CSIRO.

Opportunities for Industry

Information on opportunities for industry can be found on the industry page. The outcome of the request for tender (CSIRO RFT 2008-014) that was issued in March 2008 is now available. The results of the tender process have been posted on AusTender.  

Timeline

Q4 2008                 Begin design phase
February 2009        End design phase
March 2009            Commence delivery phase
Q3 2010                 Six antennas onsite at MRO for BETA
Q4 2012                 All ASKAP antennas commissioned onsite at MRO

Estimated Budget

A$10-20 millon

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