Preface: Key technologies for enhancing the performance of FAST

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST)passed its national acceptance inspection on 2020 January 11.This special issue includes a total of 15 papers,which are selected to introduce the status of FAST’s performance and demonstrate the key technologies applied to FAST.The presented performance parameters can provide an important reference for scientists to propose observations with FAST.The key technologies presented in these papers include design and implementation in the measurement and control system,electromagnetic compatibility system,and receiver system.Finally,scientific achievements obtained by FAST during the commissioning phase are also reported.     

数字边带分离混频器的优化与仿真

简要介绍了利用现代数字信号处理技术实现的适合宽带超宽带接收机的数字边带分离混频器的数学原理,同时对数字边带分离混频器进行了优化,并用MATLAB在L波段(1~2 GHz)对数字边带分离混频器优化进行了仿真验证,在500 MHz的带宽内实现了优于300 dB的边带抑制率。这些工作为利用数字技术实现数字边带分离混频器提高了运算速度,符合射电天文接收机向宽带超宽带和集成化发展的趋势。     

FAST无线式索力传感器节点的设计制作与测试

为适应FAST项目索网结构索单元应力测量的需求,设计并制作了一种以频率法测索力理论为基础的无线式索力传感器节点。首先阐明了FAST工程中使用无线式索力传感器的必要性和优势;其次给出了频率法测索力的理论依据;重点介绍了基于MMA7260加速度计芯片的无线式索力传感器节点的硬件及软件设计;最后对传感器进行了对照实验。实验结果表明:该无线式传感器能准确拾取钢索振动信号,索内应力与一阶振动频率的一致性较好,为FAST日后施工过程的索力测量积累了经验。     

FAST望远镜两轴转向机构结构方案优化

FAST馈源支撑系统承载和驱动馈源运动,进行对天体的高精度跟踪观测.在实时的定位调整中,两轴转向机构起着辅助调整接收机姿态角的作用.为满足FAST两轴转向机构的重量及刚度要求,选择了一种空间刚架式的结构构型.提出了反映结构柔顺度及重量约束的目标函数,以各类杆件的截面面积以及整个结构的高度、半径等几何参数作为优化变量,采...     

FAST望远镜40米模型天文观测软件的开发

针对FAST的天文观测要求,对其天文观测软件进行了设计与开发。首先介绍了FAST天文观测的原理,对天文观测软件进行了需求分析。而后提出了馈源天文运动轨迹规划算法,并进行了仿真。针对其轨迹要求给出了控制方法,对天文观测控制软件进行了设计与实现。最后通过现场实地实验,验证了本文所提的算法与软件的可行性。     

基于PCl-Express高速图像采集卡对扩展源大气倾斜量的实时补偿

为能够实时补偿大气湍流对月球激光测距带来的渡前倾斜量误差,采用相关跟踪自适应光学系统,并根据其大计算量、高实时性的要求,创新地设计了基于PCI-Express高速图像采集卡及其硬实时操作系统驱动程序,完成对扩展源目标大气倾斜量的实时补偿.详细介绍了整体系统的软硬件设计,给出了一种PCI-Express高速图像采集卡设计结果及其RTAI实时驱动程序的软件设计结果,完成了进一步提高图像传输速度,减小相关跟踪系统系统延迟,提高系统响应带宽的目标,最终实现了图像数据的实时传输(≤28 μS)及波前倾斜量的实时补偿(≤348 μS).     

Millisecond-duration microwave burst observations with the SSRT fast data acquisition system

The hardware and software for the observation of millisecond bursts with the Siberian solar radio telescope (SSRT) at 5.2 cm is described. The multiprocessing computer and data acquisition system records 180 analog signals from the SSRT multichannel receiver every 7 milliseconds. The recorded information opens the opportunity to study the position, structure, and other characteristics of solar burst sources with high temporal and spatial resolution. Examples of the observations are presented and briefly discussed in order to illustrate the overall performance of the system.     

Prognostics and health management of FAST cable-net structure based on digital twin technology

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST)will be fully commissioned later in 2019.Once commissioned,operation and maintenance of FAST will be the most prominent task.The unique working mode of active shape-changing of FAST cable-net structure makes the traditional maintenance way,which combines routine inspection with preventive maintenances not only expensive,but also unable to effectively avoid potential risks in operations.Therefore,it is necessary to develop an economical and reliable operation/maintenance technology for FAST cable-net structure.In this paper,a Prognostics and Health Management(PHM)system is proposed based on the advanced Digital Twin(DT)technology.Through the finite element analysis of DT model,the current safety status of FAST cablenet is evaluated,and the fatigue life of components in the cable-net is predicted.Hence Condition-Based Maintenance(CBM)of FAST cable-net structure can be realized.The PHM system described in this paper can effectively guarantee the healthy and safe operation of the FAST cable-net structure,greatly improve the maintenance efficiency and reduce the cost for maintenance works.     

用于2.4m望远镜的网络气象站

在进行天文观测时,天气因素的影响是很大的,为适应天文观测技术发展的要求,在2.4m镜附近需要建立一个网络气象站,一方面可以对天气状况实时监测,另一方面其他设备可以从网上查询并使用这些数据,以满足2.4m望远镜必须要有气象状况输入才能正常地在RoboticMode下工作的要求。文中介绍了1 wirenet气象站的原理以及软硬件设计。     

Studying solutions for the fatigue of the FAST cable-net structure caused by the process of changing shape

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope(FAST) is supported by a cable-net structure,whose change in shape leads to a stress range of approximately 500 MPa.This stress range is more than twice the standard recommended value.The cable-net structure is thus the most critical and fragile part of the FAST reflector system.In this study,we first search for a more appropriate deformation strategy that reduces the stress amplitude generated by the process of changing shape.Second,we roughly estimate the tracking trajectory of the telescope during its service life,and conduct an extensive numerical investigation to assess the requirements for fatigue resistance.Finally,we develop a new type of steel cable system that satisfies the cable requirements for construction of FAST.     

一种基于DSP和FPGA的低频时码接收机设计

介绍了一种基于数字信号处理器(DSP)和现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)的低频时码接收机的硬件组成,描述了该接收机系统实现时间同步的方法,阐述了DSP和FP-GA的软件设计,给出了测试和仿真结果。该设计方案具有精度高、可靠性强、扩展性好等优点。     

用于雷达天文研究的高速基带数据记录系统

为了开展雷达天文科学研究, 将射电望远镜接收的雷达回波信号进行采集和记录, 研究基于SNAP (Smart Network ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) Processor)硬件实验板和快速存储服务器设计并开发了雷达天文基带数据采集与记录系统. 该系统采用CASPER (Collaboration for Astronomy Signal Processing and Electronics Research)提供的图形化FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array)开发工具流, 设计了双通道、256MHz带宽信号采集和VDIF (VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) Data Interchange Format)基带数据输出固件程序; 基于HASHPIPE (High Availability SHared PIPeline Engine)多线程管理引擎开发了双万兆以太网口实时基带数据存储程序, 存储带宽达到1GB/s; 最后编写了VDIF格式到雷达天文格式的转换程序. 经过脉冲星信号观测实验检测, 该系统准确、可靠.     

CVN硬盘系统和软件相关处理在e-VLBI试验中的应用

介绍了中国VLBI网（CVN）的e-VLBI技术研究进展．CVN包括上海佘山、乌鲁木齐南山2个固定观测站和云南昆明的流动站，以及上海天文台的2台站硬件相关处理机。2003年上海天文台自行研制了基于PC技术的VLBI数据记录、回放系统，命名为CVN硬盘系统，并成功将其安置于CVN观测站和处理机系统。硬件处理机经过改造后，已能处理来自硬盘和原有磁带系统的数据．从2003年至今，中国VLBI网采用该硬盘系统进行了多次VLBI观测和e-VLBI试验。在CVN硬盘系统基础上，软件相关处理技术的研究也得以开展。软件相关处理原型程序已经被用于台站条纹检测、卫星条纹搜索和数据处理中。该软件获得的计算结果被成功用于国内第一个3台站卫星VLBI的延迟和延迟率闭合试验，以及国内首次利用VLBI数据进行的卫星定轨试验。除此之外，该软件还用作硬件处理机的条纹引导器。为适应未来“嫦娥”月球探测工程，CVN将扩展成含有4个观测站和2个相关处理机（硬件、软件）的实时VLBI网。今后，e-VLBI将被应用于月球卫星导航以及测地和天体物理的VLBI观测。     

RATAN-600 radio telescope in the 24th solar-activity cycle. III. System of data acquisition and control of the solar spectral facility

We report the development of a multichannel data acquisition and control system for the Spectral and Polarization High-Resolution Solar Research System, installed at the RATAN-600 radio telescope. This facility provides high-speed registration of signals from 240 channels and controls the preparation for observations and the process of automatic observations. The hardware is made in the form factor of 3U Evromekhanika modules. The measurement facility is controlled by the software based on the QT cross-platform library (the open source version), which can be run both on Linux and Windows operating systems. The data are written to a magnetic carrier and then transferred to the computer network of the Special Astrophysical Observatory for archiving, and can be accessed by external users.     

13mm低温制冷谱线接收系统和星际水分子观测研究

为了开拓短厘米波单天线星际分子的观测和研究,在乌鲁木齐天文站２５ｍ射电望远镜１３ｍｍ低温制冷接收机的基础上,配置了声表面波频谱仪和谱线数据采集系统,组成了１３ｍｍ低温致冷谱线接收机．接收机前端是一个工作在低温２０Ｋ的低噪声放大器,本振是２２ＧＨｚ的锁相源．接收机的平均噪声温度为５０Ｋ．后端是一个宽带的（４０ＭＨｚ）高分辨率（４０ｋＨｚ）的声表波频谱仪．利用这套系统观测了一批已知的水脉泽源,观测系统正常,结果合理．观测结果表明,乌鲁木齐天文站良好的站址和２５ｍ射电望远镜给厘米波段星际分子谱线观测提供了一个很好的条件．     

1．3厘米接收机背架调整系统设计

基于新疆天文台研制的1．3em双极化制冷接收机的安装及观测需求,设计了其背架调整系统。首先,通过力学分析选择合适的滚珠丝杠及驱动电机;其次,通过对电机进行测试,研制电机驱动模块,以满足安装要求;最后,编写电机驱动控制软件,实现终端对接收机馈源的精确控制。     

The Operation of Multi-beam Receiver of Delingha 13.7 m Telescope

Delingha 13.7 m telescope is one of the most important radio telescopes in China. Since installing the superconducting spectroscopic array receiver (SSAR) and adopting the On The Fly (OTF) observation mode, the telescope has operated for nearly 10 years. During this period, a large number of astronomical observation projects have been carried out and completed, a large amount of astronomical data have been accumulated, and a series of important scientific results have been achieved. This paper introduces the operating status of SSAR in astronomical observations, the problems in operations, as well as the fault phenomena and solutions. The performance test and performance analysis of SSAR are described in detail, including the receiver noise temperature and telescope system noise temperature, image rejection ratio (IRR), receiver stability, beam performance and so on. The updating and development of SSAR are listed, including the automatic adjustment of LO (Local Oscillator) power, the updating of pre-amplification circuits of the sideband separation superconducting mixer, and the optimization of control program, etc. This paper summarizes the experiences and rules, and connects the past with the future, for applying the experiences of the maintenance and operation of SSAR to the next-generation large-scale receiver system.     

Similarity model of feed support system for FAST

A new design of feed support system for Five hundred meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) is proposed in this paper. According to the similarity theory, a 1:15 scale model of feed support system has been built to make systemic research on the feasibility of the system. Then the control system and hardware structure of the feed support system are illustrated. A complete astronomical observation track is run by the scale model and the experiments results demonstrate that the new feed support system can satisfy the observation accuracy requirement of FAST.     

Scalable framework of intelligent RFI flagging for large-scale HI survey data from FAST

Radio frequency interference (RFI) identification is a key step in radio data processing. In order to efficiently process huge volumes of data produced by modern large radio telescopes, such as the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), exceptional balance between accuracy and performance (throughput) is required for RFI flagging algorithms. RFI-Net is a single-process RFI identification package based on deep learning technique, and has achieved a higher flagging accuracy than the classical SumThreshold method. In this paper, we present a scalable RFI flagging toolkit, which can drive parallel workflows on multi-CPU and multi-GPU clusters, with RFI-Net as its core detector. It can automatically schedule the workload and aggregate itself after errors according to the running environment. Moreover, its main components are all pluggable, and can be easily customized according to requirements. The experiments with real data of FAST showed that using eight parallel workflows, the toolkit can process sky survey data at a speed of 66.79 GB/h, which means quasi-real-time RFI flagging can be achieved considering the data rate of FAST extragalactic spectral line observations.     

边带分离型超导SIS接收机本振耦合噪声研究

超导SIS (Superconductor-Insulator-Superconductor)接收机因极低的接收机噪声温度成为毫米波和亚毫米波段射电天文观测的首选.本振系统耦合噪声也是接收机噪声的一部分,在多年的天文观测中,发现本振耦合噪声无法完全忽略,对天文观测的灵敏度有一定影响.采用两个不同种类的信号发生器作为本振系统初级信号源,测试了超导SIS接收机的噪声温度,发现信号发生器输出的基底噪声能够耦合到接收机内部,从而增加接收机噪声强度.分析研究了本振系统热噪声和信号发生器基底噪声对接收机噪声的影响.通过在信号发生器输入端加入窄带滤波器滤除其基底噪声,消除了信号发生器基底噪声引入的接收机噪声,降低了接收机的整体噪声,提高了望远镜的灵敏度.