Data compression, field of interest shaping and fast algorithms for direction-dependent deconvolution in radio interferometry
- Authors: Atemkeng, Marcellin T
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Radio astronomy , Solar radio emission , Radio interferometers , Signal processing -- Digital techniques , Algorithms , Data compression (Computer science)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6324 , vital:21089
- Description: In radio interferometry, observed visibilities are intrinsically sampled at some interval in time and frequency. Modern interferometers are capable of producing data at very high time and frequency resolution; practical limits on storage and computation costs require that some form of data compression be imposed. The traditional form of compression is simple averaging of the visibilities over coarser time and frequency bins. This has an undesired side effect: the resulting averaged visibilities “decorrelate”, and do so differently depending on the baseline length and averaging interval. This translates into a non-trivial signature in the image domain known as “smearing”, which manifests itself as an attenuation in amplitude towards off-centre sources. With the increasing fields of view and/or longer baselines employed in modern and future instruments, the trade-off between data rate and smearing becomes increasingly unfavourable. Averaging also results in baseline length and a position-dependent point spread function (PSF). In this work, we investigate alternative approaches to low-loss data compression. We show that averaging of the visibility data can be understood as a form of convolution by a boxcar-like window function, and that by employing alternative baseline-dependent window functions a more optimal interferometer smearing response may be induced. Specifically, we can improve amplitude response over a chosen field of interest and attenuate sources outside the field of interest. The main cost of this technique is a reduction in nominal sensitivity; we investigate the smearing vs. sensitivity trade-off and show that in certain regimes a favourable compromise can be achieved. We show the application of this technique to simulated data from the Jansky Very Large Array and the European Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network. Furthermore, we show that the position-dependent PSF shape induced by averaging can be approximated using linear algebraic properties to effectively reduce the computational complexity for evaluating the PSF at each sky position. We conclude by implementing a position-dependent PSF deconvolution in an imaging and deconvolution framework. Using the Low-Frequency Array radio interferometer, we show that deconvolution with position-dependent PSFs results in higher image fidelity compared to a simple CLEAN algorithm and its derivatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An investigation of solar radio noise in relation to visible phenomena
- Authors: Poole, Lex Martin Graham
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Solar radio emission , Radio astronomy -- Instruments
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5536 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013032
- Description: The work of previous writers on the origin and propagation of solar radio noise, and particularly the correlation with visual events is reviewed, and then the construction of the author's 300 Mc/s receiver described. With a view to the author's project, absorption of electromagnetic radiation in the solar corona is quantitatively discussed, and a method for determining the intensity without absorption of a radio burst is evolved. The main project involves briefly the discovery of any possible relationship between the magnitude of a visual flare and the corrected intensity of an associated radio burst as measured at 125 Mc/s. It is concluded that no definite relation exists, but from this consideration an approximate shape of the instantaneous frequency profile of outburst elements is obtained. An extension of the theory to isolated bursts enables us to predict both this bandshape, and the velocity of an exciting agency moving radially through the corona.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1961
An investigation of the polarization of solar radio noise
- Authors: Verschuur, Gerrit L.,1937-
- Date: 1961
- Subjects: Solar radio emission , Polarimetry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5547 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013441
- Description: CHAPTER I A description of the sun and the type of radio radiation it emits is given. The relation that exists between this and other events occurring on the sun's surface is studied. CHAPTER II The literature dealing with the origin of solar radio noise is reviewed. CHAPTER III The method of specifying polarized radiation and the effect of a magneto- ionic medium on such radiation is discussed. The possible origin of the polarization of solar radio noise is examined and the literature relating to this and to the observations of polarization of solar noise is reviewed. A short outline of the methods used in measuring polarization is given. CHAPTER IV A detailed outline of the construction of a polarimeter is given together with full circuit diagrams and illustrative photographs. CHAPTER V A brief discussion of the operation of the polarimeter, the results obtained and suggestions for its future operation is given.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1961
An investigation of the profiles of bursts of solar radio noise
- Authors: Wild, Peter Anthony Thornton
- Date: 1960
- Subjects: Solar radio emission , Radio noise , Solar noise storms , Radio astronomy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5551 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013504
- Description: [Summary] Chapter I . The general characteristics of solar radiation at metre wavelengths are described, with reference to data published in the literature. A brief description of some aspects of solar physics relevant to the study of solar noise is given, and the literature relating to the correlation of radio effects with solar disturbances is reviewed. Chapter II. A concise description of the apparatus constructed for the continuous recording of the flux density of solar radio noise at a frequency of 300 Mc/s is given, with some mention of difficulties experienced, and how these were overcome. Full circuit diagrams of electronic apparatus, and illustrative photographs, are supplied. Chapter III. The development of theories of the origin and propagation of solar noise radiation is historically reviewed and the success of each theory in explaining or predicting observed phenomena, is assessed. A working model is chosen from among these theories, and reasons for its adoption are given. Chapter IV. Observations made by the author of solar radiation at a frequency of 300 Mc/s are described, together with a description of the objects and methods, of analysis of the records. Chapter V. Phenomena observed by the author are compared with those observed by other workers. It is concluded that storm bursts are caused by transients similar to those producing Type II and Type ITI bursts, and a model for the production of storm bursts is tentatively suggested. Chapter VI. Suggestions for further research, including suggestions for methods of testing the author's conclusions, are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1960
An investigation of isolated bursts of solar radio noise
- Authors: Shuter, William Leslie Hazlewood
- Date: 1958
- Subjects: Solar physics -- Research , Solar radio emission
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5539 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013216
- Description: The literature on isolated bursts and possible mechanisms of origin has been critically reviewed, and observations point to a mechanism involving omission of electromagnetc radiation from plasma oscillations in the solar corona excited by outward travelling disturbances. Solar noise observations on 125 Mc./s. recorded at Rhodes University during the period November 26 1957 - February 6 1958 have been analysed by the author for isolated bursts, and these observations show the same general features reported by previous investigators. In interpretation of these records particular attention has been devoted to two aspects of isolated bursts; namely the preponderance on single frequency records of double-humped bursts, and the shape of isolated burst profiles. The authors suggests that a probable explanation of double-humped bursts observed on any frequency f is that the first hump represents omission at or near the level of zero refractive index for f radiation, and that the second hump corresponds to harmonic omission at the f/2 level. Source velocities may be calculated from the time delay between the peaks and an average value of 2 x 10⁴ km./sec. was obtained from an analysis of 21 double-humped bursts. This value is in very good agreement with that deduced by Wild (1950b) from the rate of frequency drift of peak intensity of isolated bursts. Simple isolated bursts had decay profiles which are approximatley exponential in shape, and this is usually interpreted in terms of the natural decay of plasma oscillations in the medium of origin. The author has verified that the exponential function is a good fit to the observed decay profiles, but shows that a relation of the form I - ¹/n (superscript) ⋉ t (where I is intensity and t is time) fits just as well. An alternative model is suggested which would lead to an exponential-like decay profile which is not determined by the natural decay of plasma oscillations. The work concludes with some suggestions for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1958