NWO-I ASTRON

What is the name of your institution/company?

NWO-I ASTRON

What products or services do you provide?

We provide radio astronomy instrumentation and data products for astronomers.

Where are you active within the FNS program (program lines, work packages) and what is your contribution?

We are active in Program Line 1, Work Package 1.1. We are developing a compact receiver prototype that could be placed close to a 6G antenna. The prototype will consist of an IF digitiser (with an instantaneous bandwidth of 800 MHz that can be selected within an IF bandwidth of 2 GHz) and a discrete component based White Rabbit synchronization module (to enable the synchronization of digitisers in the distributed 6G antenna system). With the addition of efficient, active cooling and packaging, we achieve a compact and robust receiver. Together with project partner IToM/Bosch, we are defining the requirements for an integrated White Rabbit synchronization IC. Once this IC has been developed by IToM/Bosch, a second prototype will be developed that incorporates it into the compact receiver.

Why are you participating in the FNS program?

The technology that we are exploring and prototyping within the FNS program has great potential value for a new generation of radio astronomy telescopes.