Antennas for radio telescopes course launched at Stellenbosch University
22 February 2017
News
In November 2016, seven industry leaders and 19 students from Europe and South Africa participated in a newly developed ‘Antennas for Radio Telescopes’ course at Stellenbosch University. The course is part of the European School of Antennas’ offering for which the CSIR provided technical, organisational and financial support. The purpose of the course is to provide broad and detailed insight into specific challenges facing antenna designers and others working in radio astronomy applications.
South Africa has a track record in the field of antennas and propagation and is a key player in building the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The SKA is currently being built in South Africa, which is also the host country. This serves as an opportunity to further develop the local capabilities in antennas for radio telescopes.
The course looks at specific antenna technologies used in modern instruments, from classical reflectors to a variety of array-based systems. Background on basic radio astronomical methods and performance metrics was provided, as well as an introduction to some basic calibration and imaging techniques.
Participants were given a spectrum of methods to design antennas, as well as an understanding of what is required from the antenna systems to yield the best possible instruments for different radio astronomy applications. Dr Peter Meincke, a leading expert from Denmark, says, “During the course, a day was reserved for reflector antennas, giving the students an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of design tasks, analysis methods, limitations and trade-off considerations.”
Dr Albert Lysko of the CSIR Meraka Institute and Prof Dirk de Villiers of Stellenbosch University say that the course was an excellent opportunity to bring together the leading scientists working on antennas for radio telescopes and promote intercontinental cooperation and skill transfer to support the antenna field development and SKA initiative in South Africa and abroad.
For more information contact Dr Albert Lysko, CSIR, +27 (0)12 841 2911, alysko@csir.co.za, www.csir.co.za
Further reading:
From the editor's desk: The art of measuring the truth
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
All electronic measurements are a lie. The trick is making the lie as small as possible.
Read more...
TSE has relocated
News
The Technology Station in Electronics (TSE) has entered a new chapter with its relocation from the CSIR campus to TUT-owned building at Ditsela Place in Hatfield.
Read more...
Innovative MyLegrand app
RS South Africa
News
Legrand SA is set to launch the MyLegrand mobile application, a digital platform designed to strengthen engagement across its professional network.
Read more...
Kulani Energy acquires critical assets from Optipower
News
Kulani Energy preserves engineering, procurement, and construction capability and positions a wholly women-owned firm at the forefront of South Africa’s grid expansion.
Read more...
From Cape Town to Johannesburg
News
Würth Elektronik South Africa has taken a significant step forward with its recent relocation from Cape Town to Johannesburg, marking a new phase of growth and ambition for the company.
Read more...
Lesley Havenga: Building partnerships for Africa’s electronics future
Editor's Choice News
As Würth Electronik expands its footprint across South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan region, Havenga’s blend of manufacturing expertise, supply chain knowledge, and people-centred leadership appears well suited to the task.
Read more...
Tackling e-waste with help from international partners
News
Every year millions of electrical and electronic devices and appliances, including mobile phones and computers, are thrown away and these items are now the fastest growing waste stream in the world.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Pricing surge reshapes engineering reality
Technews Publishing
News
The recent and continuing surge in memory prices has become more than a supply-chain story confined to global semiconductor markets. We have watched in disbelief as the ASP of memory has risen by over
...
Read more...
Siemens democratises EDA software access
News
This collaboration will provide streamlined access to advanced electronic design automation software for European semiconductor innovation.
Read more...
Components distribution: A promising trend
News
The European electronic components market returned to solid growth in Q1, gaining 16,9%, with broad, but uneven, momentum across the region.
Read more...
printer friendly version