scholarly journals A survey of spatially and temporally resolved radio frequency interference in the FM band at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Tingay ◽  
M. Sokolowski ◽  
R. Wayth ◽  
D. Ung
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Radio Astronomy ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
Radio Frequency Interference ◽  
Astronomy Observatory ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Radio Astronomy Observatory ◽  
Imaging Mode

Abstract We present the first survey of radio frequency interference (RFI) at the future site of the low frequency Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO), that both temporally and spatially resolves the RFI. The survey is conducted in a 1 MHz frequency range within the FM band, designed to encompass the closest and strongest FM transmitters to the MRO (located in Geraldton, approximately 300 km distant). Conducted over approximately three days using the second iteration of the Engineering Development Array in an all-sky imaging mode, we find a range of RFI signals. We are able to categorise the signals into: those received directly from the transmitters, from their horizon locations; reflections from aircraft (occupying approximately 13% of the observation duration); reflections from objects in Earth orbit; and reflections from meteor ionisation trails. In total, we analyse 33 994 images at 7.92 s time resolution in both polarisations with angular resolution of approximately 3.5 $^{\circ}$ , detecting approximately forty thousand RFI events. This detailed breakdown of RFI in the MRO environment will enable future detailed analyses of the likely impacts of RFI on key science at low radio frequencies with the SKA.

scholarly journals Radio Frequency Interference Measurements for a Radio Astronomy Observatory Site in Indonesia

Aerospace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Peberlin Parulian Sitompul ◽  
Timbul Manik ◽  
Mario Batubara ◽  
Bambang Suhandi
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Radio Astronomy ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Radio Frequency Interference ◽  
Frequency Interval ◽  
Astronomy Observatory ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Band Frequency ◽  
Radio Astronomy Observatory ◽  
Interference Measurements

We report on the measurements of radio frequency interference (RFI) at Mount Timau, Kupang, Indonesia, which is intended to host a future radio astronomy observatory. These measurements were taken twice in October 2020 and December 2020 to obtain the RFI environment, at frequencies between 70 and 7000 MHz. Due to the limitations of the measurement data, the results presented in this paper are based on peak detection rather than statistical analysis. Based on the measurement results, the frequency interval between 70–88 MHz and 120–150 MHz is relatively quiet, and the frequency range of 150–300 MHz is relatively clear. The frequency interval of 300 to 800 MHz is relatively quiet, except at the frequency of 600 MHz. The frequency range of 800–1400 MHz is also relatively quiet. The predominant terrestrial services in this band are at 840 MHz, with an amplitude around 32 dB, and 916 MHz, with an amplitude around 12 dB, and the global system for mobile (GSM) signals around 954 MHz have an amplitude around 20 dB above the noise floor. The frequency range of 1400–7000 MHz is also relatively quiet. In this band frequency, we can see RFI at 2145 and 2407 MHz, emitted by local Wi-Fi, and at 2683 MHz, with amplitudes of 18, 40 and 15 dB, respectively, from the noise level. We conclude that, for this period, the frequency band allocated for astronomy can possibly be used for radio telescope development.

Low-frequency technology for a lunar interferometer

2020 ◽  
Vol 379 (2188) ◽  
pp. 20190575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristian Zarb Adami ◽  
I. O. Farhat
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Signal Detection ◽  
Radio Astronomy ◽  
Lunar Surface ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Radio Interferometer ◽  
Radio Frequency Interference ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Single Antenna ◽  
Global Signal

This work sketches a possible design architecture of a low-frequency radio interferometer located on the lunar surface. The design has evolved from single antenna experiments aimed at the global signal detection of the epoch of reionization (EoR) to the square kilometre array (SKA) which, when complete, will be capable of imaging the highly red-shifted H 1 -signal from the cosmic dawn through to the EoR. However, due to the opacity of the ionosphere below 10 MHz and the anthropogenic radio-frequency interference, these terrestrial facilities are incapable of detecting pre-ionization signals and the moon becomes an attractive location to build a low-frequency radio interferometer capable of detecting such cosmological signals. Even though there are enormous engineering challenges to overcome, having this scientific facility on the lunar surface also opens up several new exciting possibilities for low-frequency radio astronomy. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Astronomy from the Moon: the next decades’.

Studies of Radio Frequency Interference at Parkes Observatory

1997 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 661-666
Author(s):  
Peter R. Backus ◽  
Sam LaRoque ◽  
Jill C. Tarter ◽  
John Dreher ◽  
Kent Cullers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Radio Astronomy ◽  
New South ◽  
Radio Frequency Interference ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Unique Data ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
The Mean

AbstractFrom February through early June, 1995, Project Phoenix conducted SETI observations of 209 stars over the frequency range from 1195 to 3005 MHz. A byproduct of this search is a unique data set suitable for studying the Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) environment at the Parkes 64-m telescope in New South Wales, Australia. RFI is an increasing problem for SETI and other radio astronomy observations conducted outside of the «protected» frequency bands. The data analyzed for this paper were «mean baseline» spectra in Left and Right Circular Polarization (LCP, RCP), integrated for either 138 or 276 s, covering a 10 MHz bandwidth with 15,552 channels at a resolution of 643 Hz. Channels were identified as contaminated by RFI when the power in the channel exceeded the mean noise by 3%. The «spectral occupancy», the fraction of time RFI was seen, was determined for each channel. The RFI occupancy for LCP and RCP are distinctly different. Approximately 100 MHz of the spectrum was too heavily contaminated for SETI observations.

Site selection for a radio astronomy observatory in Turkey: atmospherical, meteorological, and radio frequency analyses

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
İbrahim Küçük ◽  
İpek Üler ◽  
Şükriye Öz ◽  
Sedat Onay ◽  
Ali Rıza Özdemir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Radio Astronomy ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Astronomy Observatory ◽  
Radio Astronomy Observatory ◽  
Selection For

scholarly journals RFI Survey for the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in India

1991 ◽  
Vol 112 ◽  
pp. 190-193
Author(s):  
G. Swarup ◽  
T.L. Venkatasubramani
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Radio Telescope ◽  
Radio Astronomy ◽  
Radio Frequency Interference ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Extragalactic Astronomy ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Set Up

ABSTRACTA Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is being set up at Khodad about 80 km north of Pune in India for operation in the frequency range of about 30 to 1500 MHz. It is to be completed by 1992 and is being designed to investigate many outstanding problems in the fields of galactic and extragalactic astronomy. We present here measurements of man-made radio frequency interference (RFI) conducted at the GMRT site in 1985 and 1988. It is seen that highly sensitive radio astronomy observations can still be made at selected bands in the above frequency range because of the relatively low level of RFI in India. However, this advantage may not remain for more than a decade or two.

The Llanherne Low Frequency Radio Telescope

1972 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. A. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limit ◽  
Radio Telescope ◽  
Radio Astronomy ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Earth Satellite ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Interstellar Absorption ◽  
The Galaxy

A large proportion of the easily accessible radio astronomy spectrum lies between 50 MHz and a lower limit of about 1 MHz set by interstellar absorption. The features of the spectrum in this frequency range, from sources such as the galaxy, extragalactic sources, pulsars, the Sun and Jupiter, remain only partially explored mainly owing to the large sizes of telescopes necessary to obtain adequate angular resolution and sensitivity. In addition, below 20 MHz, interference from man-made radiation and from the ionosphere severely hinders observations. At the lowest frequencies, the effects of the ionosphere can be overcome by using earth satellite telescopes at the expense of greatly increased difficulty in attaining sufficient telescope aperture.

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