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SKA/LOFAR Strategic Plan Summary

This document provides an overview of the strategic plan for the SKA/LOFAR project, detailing key developments, international participation, funding, and project scope. It includes information on SKA development, LOFAR exploration, MNRF involvement, and technology advancements.

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SKA/LOFAR Strategic Plan Summary

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  1. SKA/LOFARRay NorrisATUC Nov 2003

  2. CSIRO Strategic Plan

  3. CSIRO SKA/LOFAR project Includes • SKA development • LOFAR development • SKA international participation • LOFAR international participation • MNRF • European Union FP6 SKA demonstrator • ATNF software development (including VO) • Exploration of LOFAR-SKA upgrade paths, including cylinders (“HIFAR”) • Will add to SKA strategic development, not detract from it

  4. Australian Astronomy MNRF • Funded for $23.5m by Federal Government in 2001 • Total project size is $50m (over 5 years) • Two main themes: SKA and Gemini • MNRF Office now part of SKA/LOFAR program • SKA projects include: • New Technology Demonstrator (Luneberg lens etc.) • ATCA Broadband Upgrade • MMIC strategic research • SKAMP • Swinburne simulations and supercomputing

  5. SKA – Square Kilometre Array • 1 square kilometre of collecting area • Cost A$2B, consortium of 12 countries • Site selection 2006, Australia is strong candidate • Australia/US/South Africa/China • Construction starts 2012 • Completion 2020 • ~ 300 array-stations, • Sparsely scattered across continental distances • Connected by high-bandwidth optic-fibre cable • Next-decade supercomputer to combine and process data. • Current industry partners include:Connell Wagner, CEA, Advanced Powder Technologies, Dell

  6. SKA international activities • SKA concept demonstrator • Proposals/plans required by April 2004 • Possibility of building “concept demonstrator” by 2006/7 • Luneberg lens? • HIFAR? • LOFAR? • Participate in other demonstrator (e.g. EMBRACE)? • Need to set up decision process • Need to ensure we do not spread effort too thinly • SKA reference site for interference measurements • Measurements start early next year • Mileura is obvious reference site because of LOFAR • Decision process as to Australian site choice? • International site choice in 2006

  7. SKA NTD(New Technology Demonstrator) Luneberg lens • Demonstrator lens with two feed arms constructed • New dielectric material developed with very low loss (and recently patented) • New prototype lens being assembled for testing • After testing (late 2003), will decide on future direction for this project.

  8. SKA NTD(New Technology Demonstrator) • Original MNRF proposal: • Proposed significant astronomical demonstrators at Narrabri (i.e. extension to ATCA) • MNRF was not funded at requested level, so reduced amount available for demonstrators • NTD plan in late 2002: • Luneberg lens for RFI mitigation, together with two “mini-SKA stations” added to ATCA • Current status • Luneberg lens technology demonstrator has gone well • Available funds suggest that any demonstrators at Narrabri may not be astronomically useful • Don’t wish to pre-empt SKA “concept demonstrator” decision • Full discussion to be organised later this year, when options are clearer

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