2015 · 26 citations · 1 references
Natural SciencesAstronomyPhysicsAntennasOpticsRadio AstronomyAntenna ArraysAntenna DesignAntenna SimulationLow-frequency Radio AstronomyRadio TelescopesArray DesignBeam ModelingDeployable AntennasLog-periodic Antenna DesignLog-periodic AntennasMechanical System UpgradesPeriodic Antenna ArraysRadio Telescope Systems
In this paper we present the recent advances on the design of SKALA, the log-periodic antenna chosen for the SKA-low instrument. After several years of development, SKALA has being upgraded to meet the demanding SKA-low requirements. Mechanical upgrades on the antenna were critical in order to meet the requirements for deployability, environmental specifications, etc. EM simulations are key to the understanding of the effects on the telescope performance of all of these upgrades. We discuss the trade offs and the solutions proposed to maintain or exceed the performance achieved with SKALA-1.
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