The Square Kilometre Array: the Notion of Timing and Synchronization

Authors

  • S. Wassin
  • G. M. Isoe
  • D. Kiboi Boiyo
  • E. K. Kipnoo Rotich
  • R. R. G. Gamatham
  • A. W. R. Leitch
  • T. B. Gibbon

Keywords:

Optical fibre, Square Kilometre Array, synchronization, timing, VCSEL

Abstract

From dark matter to redshift and expansion, the universe continues to intrigue and baffle scientists at large. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is an international science endeavor aiming to construct the world’s most sensitive and largest radio telescope, on the African continent. By 2016, the MeerKat antenna array will consist of 64 interconnected receptors. Highly stable time and frequency clock signals will be distributed from the Karoo Array Processing Building (KAPB) to the individual dishes across a total of 170 km of optical fibre to the digitizers mounted on the receiver indexers. This article gives a brief description of the technical requirements stipulated for the SKA and the role of timing and
synchronization within the MeerKat antenna array. Furthermore, this paper proposes a timing and frequency dissemination system across
an optical fibre network for applications such as the SKA.

Author Biographies

S. Wassin

Department of Physics, NMMU

G. M. Isoe

Department of Physics, NMMU

D. Kiboi Boiyo

Department of Physics, NMMU

E. K. Kipnoo Rotich

Department of Physics, University of Kabianga

R. R. G. Gamatham

SKA South Africa

A. W. R. Leitch

Department of Physics, NMMU

T. B. Gibbon

Department of Physics, NMMU

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Published

04-04-2022