Modeling and system design for the LOFAR station digital processing

Sylvain Alliot; Martijn van Veelen

doi:10.1117/12.548808

16 September 2004 Modeling and system design for the LOFAR station digital processing

Sylvain Alliot, Martijn van Veelen

Proceedings Volume 5497, Modeling and Systems Engineering for Astronomy; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.548808
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2004, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Abstract

In the context of the LOFAR preliminary design phase and in particular for the specification of the Station Digital Processing (SDP), a performance/cost model of the system was used. We present here the framework and the trajectory followed in this phase when going from requirements to specification. In the phased array antenna concepts for the next generation of radio telescopes (LOFAR, ATA, SKA) signal processing (multi-beaming and RFI mitigation) replaces the large antenna dishes. The embedded systems for these telescopes are major infrastructure cost items. Moreover, the flexibility and overall performance of the instrument depend greatly on them, therefore alternative solutions need to be investigated. In particular, the technology and the various data transport selections play a fundamental role in the optimization of the architecture. We proposed a formal method [1] of exploring these alternatives that has been followed during the SDP developments. Different scenarios were compared for the specification of the application (selection of the algorithms as well as detailed signal processing techniques) and in the specification of the system architecture (selection of high level topologies, platforms and components). It gave us inside knowledge on the possible trade-offs in the application and architecture domains. This was successful in providing firm basis for the design choices that are demanded by technical review committees.

Citation Download Citation

Sylvain Alliot and Martijn van Veelen "Modeling and system design for the LOFAR station digital processing", Proc. SPIE 5497, Modeling and Systems Engineering for Astronomy, (16 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.548808

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