Receivers for ASKAP
Receivers are a major component of ASKAP. Each Focal Plane Array (FPA) will require of the order of 200 individual receivers. These receivers will need to be situated near the focus of the antennas, probably within the focal plane array enclosure. The Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) will need to be closely integrated with the antenna feeds. The project will pursue a solution based on RF CMOS.
For the quantities involved, RF-CMOS Receiver-on-a-chip implementation becomes attractive, and for further progression towards SKA, this approach will be mandatory. To maximise the benefit of ASKAP, it is necessary to look at numerous approaches to reduce the system temperature Tsys, such as cooling of (just) the LNAs.
A 3x3mm 0.18um RF-CMOS receiver integrated circuit mounted on a test board. This chip implements a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA), RF band-pass filter, and quadrature down-converter.
The ASKAP receivers project focuses on the receiver component and works closely with the Smart Feed project in particular for detailed specifications and requirements.
- LNA Design methods - new design methods and design tools for LNA optimisation are necessary to account for differences in noise/power/array match due to array coupling
- Methods and techniques
- Software tools
- Differential LNA measurement and testing methods - non-50 ohm systems with differential inputs present new challenges for measurement and testing
- Test jigs
- Measurement techniques
- ASKAP prototype LNA development - when Smart Feed design is sufficiently advanced, carry out detailed LNA design
- design
- prototype and test
- manufacture
- Receiver down-converter - discrete wide band design
- Integrated receiver/down-converter investigations. This will also include the investigation of RF-CMOS alternatives.