Speaker
Description
Radio interferometry plays a critical role in modern astronomy, enabling high-resolution observations of celestial sources by combining signals from multiple antennas. The performance of any radio system—such as cellular networks, radar, radio telescopes, and interferometry systems—is significantly influenced by the sensitivity of the RF front-end receiver. Therefore, receiver efficiency is largely determined by the noise characteristics of the low-noise amplifier (LNA), which directly affects sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and overall system performance.
This work aims to design a high-gain, low-noise amplifier with an ultra-low noise figure for the RF front-end receiver of a two-antenna radio interferometer operating in the L-band (1–2 GHz). This RF band is suitable for radio astronomical transient observations and for observing the spatial distribution of galactic neutral hydrogen (the 21 cm line at 1.420 GHz) as well as for the detection and tracking of GPS L1 (1575.42 MHz) and L2 (1227.60 MHz) bands.
The objective of the LNA development is to achieve high gain (≥ 20 dB) and an ultra-low noise figure (NF ≤ 1 dB) across the band, with careful matching to a standard 50-ohm instrumentation interface while accommodating the source impedance presented by the antenna system. Emphasis is placed on the input and output matching networks around a InGaAs HEMT transistor amplifier, with comprehensive noise and impedance matching analyses to minimize the overall RF front-end noise figure and noise temperature, thereby maximizing sensitivity for high-fidelity imaging and precise radio observations.
The methodology integrates advanced device technology selection, RF circuit design, simulation, and testing.
| Stream | Science or Engineering |
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