Radio astronomy L-band phased array feed RFoF implementation overview

The Australian Square Kilometre Pathfinder ASKAP Design Enhancement (ADE) is the second generation architecture based on a distributed antenna system (DAS) with radio over fiber transmission (RFoF) from planar phased array feed (PAF) to the central site digital signal processing (DSP). With 36 × 12m reflector antennas and 188 elements per PAF, there are 6840 ports with signal and conversion (SAC) paths. Low cost implementation is key for phased array systems comprising thousands of elements. The implementation and component choices are critical to provide a viable project delivery; balancing component availability, RF performance, power consumption, maintenance and whole of life aspects. In this paper we mention discrete components used, basic subassembly performance and fiducial end to end compliance measurements.