MAG->RCV 2007/09/26 Edinburgh LOFAR Status Internal review of the project (April-July 2007): Main conclusions: R&D developments in good shape (CS1 results)

MAG->RCV 2007/09/26 Edinburgh

LOFAR StatusLOFAR Status

Internal review of the project (April-July 2007):Internal review of the project (April-July 2007):

Main conclusions:Main conclusions:R&D developments in good shape (CS1 results)R&D developments in good shape (CS1 results)Development costs in line with original estimatesDevelopment costs in line with original estimatesOriginal 77-station LOFAR relied on significant matching from original international partners (e.g. Original 77-station LOFAR relied on significant matching from original international partners (e.g. ATNF, MIT, NRL)ATNF, MIT, NRL)

– 77 station unrealistic in short-term…77 station unrealistic in short-term…

De-scope process initiated - August 2007De-scope process initiated - August 2007Need for a re-scoped LOFAR presented to NL and international (DE & UK) commiunitiesNeed for a re-scoped LOFAR presented to NL and international (DE & UK) commiunitiesProf. Ralph Wijers (chairman of NL-ARC) together with the support of the LOFAR project Prof. Ralph Wijers (chairman of NL-ARC) together with the support of the LOFAR project directorate, asked to report to the ASTRON board on:directorate, asked to report to the ASTRON board on:

– the extent of the necessary de-scopethe extent of the necessary de-scope– the optimal configuration based on (i) the most pessimistic and (ii) a more optimistic scenariothe optimal configuration based on (i) the most pessimistic and (ii) a more optimistic scenario– 3 meetings, including an open workshop (17 September 2007) 3 meetings, including an open workshop (17 September 2007)


Wijers’ draft reportWijers’ draft report

Wijers’ draft report presented to the ASTRON board (21 September 2007):Wijers’ draft report presented to the ASTRON board (21 September 2007):

Original LOFAR:Original LOFAR:96 LBA & 96 HBA96 LBA & 96 HBAHBA ~ 16 m^2HBA ~ 16 m^232 core stations, 45 outer stations; 77 stations in total32 core stations, 45 outer stations; 77 stations in total

Re-scoped LOFAR:Re-scoped LOFAR:– Core: 96 (48) LBA & 2 x 24 HBACore: 96 (48) LBA & 2 x 24 HBA– Outer: 96 (48) LBA + 48 HBAOuter: 96 (48) LBA + 48 HBA– 25m^2 HBA25m^2 HBA

N.B. Stations smaller but Field of View expanded by x4N.B. Stations smaller but Field of View expanded by x4

No. of stations reduced:No. of stations reduced:– Minimal (most pessimistic) configuration 36 (18+18) stationsMinimal (most pessimistic) configuration 36 (18+18) stations– Most optimistic configuration 50 (25+25) stationMost optimistic configuration 50 (25+25) station

Build long-baseline stations towards German border Build long-baseline stations towards German border


Wijers draft report (cont)Wijers draft report (cont)Wijers’ draft report presented to the ASTRON board (21 September 2007):Wijers’ draft report presented to the ASTRON board (21 September 2007):

Original LOFAR:Original LOFAR:96 LBA & 96 HBA96 LBA & 96 HBAHBA ~ 16 m^2HBA ~ 16 m^232 core stations, 45 outer stations; 77 stations in total32 core stations, 45 outer stations; 77 stations in total

Re-scoped LOFAR:Re-scoped LOFAR:– Core: 96 (48) LBA & 2 x 24 HBACore: 96 (48) LBA & 2 x 24 HBA– Outer: 96 (48) LBA + 48 HBAOuter: 96 (48) LBA + 48 HBA– HBA now 25m^2 HBA now 25m^2

N,B, Stations smaller but Field of View expanded by x ~ 4N,B, Stations smaller but Field of View expanded by x ~ 4

No. of NL stations reduced:No. of NL stations reduced:– Minimal (most pessimistic) configuration 36 (18+18) stationsMinimal (most pessimistic) configuration 36 (18+18) stations– Most optimistic configuration 50 (25+25) stationMost optimistic configuration 50 (25+25) station

Build long-baseline stations towards German border.Build long-baseline stations towards German border.International stations remain unchanged in size. International stations remain unchanged in size.

Constraints on rescopeConstraints on rescope

1.1. Money: 25 MEUR phase 1Money: 25 MEUR phase 1

2.2. Rollout Schedule: before end 2009 doneRollout Schedule: before end 2009 done

3.3. Software = capabilitiesSoftware = capabilities

4.4. CalibrateabilityCalibrateability

5.5. Expandability: (?)0-8 MEUR phase 2, .....Expandability: (?)0-8 MEUR phase 2, .....

6.6. Eu-LOFAREu-LOFAR

7.7. Operations: cost controlOperations: cost control

8.8. Other sciences (geo/agro/meteo/....)Other sciences (geo/agro/meteo/....)

LOFAR-ph1 GlobalLOFAR-ph1 Global

50%-50% core/outer split in NL, aim for 25+2550%-50% core/outer split in NL, aim for 25+25

Keep European stations original 96+96Keep European stations original 96+96

Make NL stations smaller:Make NL stations smaller:core: 96/48 LBA + 2x24 HBAcore: 96/48 LBA + 2x24 HBA

outer: 96/48 LBA + 48 HBAouter: 96/48 LBA + 48 HBA

25 m25 m22 (4x4) HBA tiles (4x4) HBA tiles

Bias outer stations towards Germany (lopsided Bias outer stations towards Germany (lopsided configuration)configuration)

LOFAR-ph1 rationale - ILOFAR-ph1 rationale - I

50%-50% core/outer split, aim 25+2550%-50% core/outer split, aim 25+25

uv-coverage has priority over raw collecting area, uv-coverage has priority over raw collecting area, both core (EoR, RSM) and outer (resolution, both core (EoR, RSM) and outer (resolution, SRV) need to be good SRV) need to be good more smaller stations more smaller stationsBelow 25+25, good uv-coverage quickly gets Below 25+25, good uv-coverage quickly gets harderharder

LOFAR-ph1 rationale - IILOFAR-ph1 rationale - II

Keep European stations 96+96Keep European stations 96+96

Fewer outer baselines: sensitivity very important Fewer outer baselines: sensitivity very important for calibrationfor calibration

Split-station needs higher data rate and use of Split-station needs higher data rate and use of larger FOV initially doubtfullarger FOV initially doubtful

LOFAR-ph1 rationale - IIILOFAR-ph1 rationale - III

NL outer station: 96/48 LBA + 48 HBANL outer station: 96/48 LBA + 48 HBA

HBA and RCUs are expensive, so reduction most helps HBA and RCUs are expensive, so reduction most helps more stationsmore stations

LBA are cheap, hard to add, so put all 96 and use LBA are cheap, hard to add, so put all 96 and use LBL/LBH to connect all, but only 48 can be used.LBL/LBH to connect all, but only 48 can be used.

Select inner/outer 48Select inner/outer 48

Select Select ‘minitile sum’ of 2‘minitile sum’ of 2 for better sensitivity for better sensitivity

NOTE: 48 has larger FOV!NOTE: 48 has larger FOV!

LOFAR-ph1 rationale - IVLOFAR-ph1 rationale - IV

NL core station: 96/48 LBA + 2x24 split HBANL core station: 96/48 LBA + 2x24 split HBA

LBA same as outerLBA same as outerHBA split in two fields at ends of 100m x 200m HBA split in two fields at ends of 100m x 200m fieldfield

Better uv-coverage in coreBetter uv-coverage in core24-HBA substation has even larger FOV24-HBA substation has even larger FOVPrice: 2 substation signals out, higher data ratePrice: 2 substation signals out, higher data rate

LOFAR-ph1 rationale - VLOFAR-ph1 rationale - V

Maintain long baselines and build lopsided towards Maintain long baselines and build lopsided towards GermanyGermany

Important for resolution and depth (confusion Important for resolution and depth (confusion limit) and connection to E-LOFARlimit) and connection to E-LOFAR

Lopsided to East gives more weight to long Lopsided to East gives more weight to long baselines than symmetric distribution around corebaselines than symmetric distribution around core

Price: more time to fill uv-planePrice: more time to fill uv-plane

LOFAR-ph1 RolloutLOFAR-ph1 Rollout

20 stations, 13 core + 6 outer + 1 distant outer, by 20 stations, 13 core + 6 outer + 1 distant outer, by end 2008end 2008Rest by end 2009, in logistically best orderRest by end 2009, in logistically best orderHBA subCDR and 20-station review should be HBA subCDR and 20-station review should be planned to minimally delay rollout.planned to minimally delay rollout.Software rollout plan is urgentSoftware rollout plan is urgent


LOFAR organisationLOFAR organisation

ASTRON is the largest partner, assumes the vast majority ASTRON is the largest partner, assumes the vast majority of risk, provides the expertise and man-power for the of risk, provides the expertise and man-power for the development, roll-out and commissioning of LOFAR.development, roll-out and commissioning of LOFAR.

LOFAR Managing Director reports on a daily basis to LOFAR Managing Director reports on a daily basis to ASTRON General Director. ASTRON General Director.

Radio Observatory ASTRON will be responsible for Radio Observatory ASTRON will be responsible for LOFAR operations. LOFAR operations.

Radio Observatory ASTRON will be the international Radio Observatory ASTRON will be the international communities contact point for E-LOFAR.communities contact point for E-LOFAR.


LOFAR Astronomical ExploitationLOFAR Astronomical Exploitation

ASTRON / Radio Observatory takes up long-term coordination of LOFAR ASTRON / Radio Observatory takes up long-term coordination of LOFAR astronomical exploitationastronomical exploitation

Run as broad common-user observatory, while astronomical user groups Run as broad common-user observatory, while astronomical user groups focus on their particular science projects. Three-tier allocation of focus on their particular science projects. Three-tier allocation of “observing time”:“observing time”:

Current LOFAR KSPs given proper recognition:Current LOFAR KSPs given proper recognition:Highly valuable contributions, major undertakingsHighly valuable contributions, major undertakings

New parties welcomed and encouraged, especially if: New parties welcomed and encouraged, especially if: Contributing to development of (extended) LOFAR infrastructureContributing to development of (extended) LOFAR infrastructureContributing to sustained LOFAR astronomical operationsContributing to sustained LOFAR astronomical operations

Substantial fraction open to worldwide community. This is vital:Substantial fraction open to worldwide community. This is vital:To foster the user communityTo foster the user communityFor the overall and long-term scientific successFor the overall and long-term scientific success

Services may be provided for non-astronomical applications, brokered Services may be provided for non-astronomical applications, brokered through LOFAR foundationthrough LOFAR foundation


Evolving Observatory StructureEvolving Observatory Structure

Astronomical operation of LOFAR and the WSRT in a fully Astronomical operation of LOFAR and the WSRT in a fully integrated Radio Observatory divisionintegrated Radio Observatory division

Observatory Operations Room in Dwingeloo will be taken into use Observatory Operations Room in Dwingeloo will be taken into use next monthnext month

Observatory is interface between R&D and Astronomy Observatory is interface between R&D and Astronomy (“customer”, “supplier” roles)(“customer”, “supplier” roles)

Observatory contacts for all LOFAR system componentsObservatory contacts for all LOFAR system componentsNew Science Support Group getting establishedNew Science Support Group getting establishedServices may be provided for non-astronomical applications, brokered Services may be provided for non-astronomical applications, brokered through LOFAR foundationthrough LOFAR foundation


Evolving Observatory StructureEvolving Observatory Structure

Minimum critical mass, structure, and composition to allow Minimum critical mass, structure, and composition to allow optimizing:optimizing:

Quality of operationsQuality of operationsOverall costOverall cost

Budget now on firm footingBudget now on firm footingAugmentation above minimum critical mass possible in a natural wayAugmentation above minimum critical mass possible in a natural wayInternational share of the operations/costs must be discussedInternational share of the operations/costs must be discussed

Lessons must be learned for CS1 about best practice operational Lessons must be learned for CS1 about best practice operational modelmodel

Technically: maintenance, operational procedures, documentationTechnically: maintenance, operational procedures, documentationPartnerships: RUG/RC, KSP-centres, E-LOFAR, multi-disciplinary Partnerships: RUG/RC, KSP-centres, E-LOFAR, multi-disciplinary aspects, outsourcingaspects, outsourcing


The latest commissioning resultsThe latest commissioning results

Documents

MAG->RCV 2007/09/26 Edinburgh LOFAR Status Internal review of the project (April-July 2007): Main conclusions: R&D developments in good shape (CS1 results)