Mike Garrett 1

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DS2 - Science Data SimulationsMike Garrett
(JIVE)
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DS2 - Science Data Simulations

• Context/Background
• DS2 Major Activity within SKADS (1.4 MEuro EC
  funding)
• Split into two separate but inter-related Tasks
• DS2-T1 Science Simulations (S. Rawlings, M.
  Jarvis - Oxford)
• DS2-T2 Astronomical Data Array Simulations (M.
  Garrett, C. Reynolds - JIVE)
• Case developed in 2003 (JBO, Nancay, Madrid,
  Florence, Schiphol etc)
• Proposal submitted early 2004 SKADS Project
  start July 2005
• DS2 start in spring 2006

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DS2 SKADS Technical Programme

• Original goals of DS2 complimentary to SKADS
  Technical Developments
• EMBRACE (European Multi-beam Radio Astronomy
  Concept) - DS5
• Low-frequency bias in the original DS2 proposal
  and description of work

• European astronomers quick to recognise potential
  of Aperture Array
• All sky coverage, extremely wide-field of view
• Frequency coverage (0.3 - 1.4 GHz)
• Independently steerable, multiple fields-of-view
  (beams), experimental science?
• Transient buffer (data replay) capability
• Instantaneous response to externally triggered
  events
• Software telescope (clear upgrade path that
  follows Moores law)

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DS2 - 2006

• SKA Reference Design includes both Aperture Array
  Smart Dishes
• SKADS DS2-T2 data simulation activity remains
  focused on EMBRACE Aperture Array, in comparison
  with other concepts (ATA, xNTD, KAT APERTIF etc)
• Other more general goals include - Array
  Design/Configurations, Imaging Calibration
  techniques
• Other issues addressed
• Really Long baseline simulations, including Space
  VLBI (VSOP-2)
• Precision Spacecraft Navigation (include. EMBRACE
  test obsns)
• High frequency
• Cylinders (BEST)
• SKADS DS2-T1 provides input to DS2-T2 (e.g. sky
  models) but is quite general in its scope and
  well integrated with International SWG.

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Summary

• DS2 slow start, but catching up rapidly (see
  Rawlings Reynolds)
• Focus remains on SKADS Aperture Array Technology
  for data simulations
• Other studies (e.g. Science, Array
  Configurations, Imaging Calibration techniques)
  are quite general.
• Essential that both DS2-T1 and T2 are fully
  integrated into International SKA Programme.
• Time to start thinking of how this effort
  continues within FP7 Preparatory Studies
• .