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.     

VLBI数字基带转换器测试进展

叙述了中国科学院上海天文台正在研发的VLBI数字基带转换器的最新测试进展。首先介绍了VLBI数字基带转换器的项目背景。接着介绍了VLBI数字基带转换器的设计指标和系统组成。然后介绍了利用VLBI长基线方法测试分析VLBI数字基带转换器性能的具体过程,并且通过在VLBI观测中与传统模拟VLBI基带转换器进行了性能对比,得出结论:目前VLBI数字基带转换器在以射电源为信号源的VLBI观测中,射电源流量高时条纹信噪比优于模拟VLBI基带转换器,射电源流量低时条纹信噪比与模拟VLBI基带转换器相当,且数字基带转换器带通特性好于模拟基带转换器。     

基于VGOS单基线的UT1测定能力评估

对2021年VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry)全球观测系统(VLBI Global Observing System,VGOS)单基线开展的1 h世界时(Universal Time, UT1)加强观测数据进行分析,结果表明, VGOS单基线测得的UT1与IERS (International Earth Rotation Service) C04序列提供的UT1之差的RMS (Root Mean Square)为25.3μs,优于传统S/X双频段UT1加强观测(Intensive observation, INT1)试验的28.2μs,且UT1的平均形式精度提高1倍.因VGOS单基线1 h观测数目比INT1多1倍,其测得的UT1受极移误差的影响更加稳定,每100μas的极移误差将对UT1引入2.8μs的偏移.此外分析了VGOS 30 min观测数据,除平均形式精度变差外, UT1测量结果与1 h结果相当,表明VGOS单基线30 min观测可用于UT1的超快速服务.同时分析和评估了2021年国内佘山与南山13 m VGOS基线的UT1加强观...     

月球交会对接VLBI差分时延研究

中国探月3期任务中,月球交会对接技术是任务成功的重要保障.利用嫦娥3号(CE03)绕月飞行的VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry)时延数据,模拟仿真绕月交会对接过程中,同波束VLBI观测模式下,差分群时延的变化情况.仿真结果显示,在远程导引段,轨道器和上升组合体轨道距离保持100 km,持续半小时,差分群时延很好地反映了两者的轨道信息,可以用于定轨定位;自主控制段,上升组合体靠近轨道器,在轨道距离从5 km减小到20 m过程中,上升组合体加速追赶轨道器时,差分群时延快速趋近于0,上升组合体减速远离轨道器时,差分群时延绝对值快速变大.最后,利用嫦娥3号奔月段同时发射两个DOR (Differential One-Ranging)信号的VLBI时延数据,计算差分相时延,初步展示了月球交会对接过程中同波束VLBI差分相时延的误差情况.     

无人值守GNSS方法测定射电望远镜参考点

为解决常规射电望远镜归心测量工作耗时耗力的问题,引入GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)同步监测技术实现了一种针对射电望远镜参考点的无人值守监测方法.设计了针对GNSS靶标点观测数据的归算方法,包括数据匹配、数据检核以及后续精度评估等步骤,并对2018年佘山25-m射电VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry)望远镜的GNSS靶标点实测数据开展了数据预处理、解析与归心解算等,证明了该方法的可行性.结果表明基于该方法,采用单日内部分(5%)数据(约7600个靶标点),所测定的VLBI望远镜参考点的点位形式精度可达3 mm.总结了针对射电望远镜采用GNSS开展无人值守归心测量先行试验中的一些经验教训,明确了利用该方法测量过程中应该注意的问题,为今后更高精度射电望远镜参考点无人值守归心监测提供重要参考.     

星载氢钟VLBI观测实验及分析

中国计划于2025年左右建立月球轨道VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometer)测站,将会搭载被动型星载氢钟作为时间频率标准.由于是首次在VLBI观测中使用星载氢钟,需要研究和验证其可行性.因此,利用星载氢钟作为频率基准开展了VLBI观测.实验时,分别使用主动型地面氢钟和被动型星载氢钟作为频率基准,利用上海天文台佘山25 m射电望远镜和其他测站对我国火星探测器天问一号进行了交替VLBI观测.数据处理分析结果表明,基于地面氢钟与星载氢钟的VLBI残余群时延标准差均在0.5 ns以内,表明星载氢钟可满足深空探测VLBI测定轨的精度要求,验证了其作为月球VLBI测站频率基准的可行性.     

上海天文台硬件相关处理机Mark5数据回放功能实现

m2hc程序是上海天文台硬件相关处理机的一个子系统，实现从Mark5系统自动回放甚长基线干涉测量（VLBI）原始观测数据给相关处理机的功能。目前已工作在绕月探测工程VLBI测轨任务中。该文详细介绍了m2hc的设计和实现以及应用结果。     

VGOS观测网初步观测及其讨论

为满足天文和测地研究需要,国际甚长基线干涉测量(VLBI)服务组织(IVS)提出了新一代VLBI空间测地计划—VLBI全球观测系统(VGOS)。按照VGOS技术规范,我国第一套VGOS系统于2016年初在中国科学院国家授时中心落成。为满足GEO卫星、射电源较差观测需求,需要制作全新的观测纲要。通过选取与卫星近角距的射电源来消除观测系统误差对卫星定轨的影响,最后利用软件相关处理机对观测数据进行相关处理并给出观测的初步结果,结果表明观测达到预计的观测精度。     

我国新一代VLBI数字基带转换器研制进展

数字化是目前设备研制发展的趋势,介绍了中国科学院上海天文台利用超大规模集成电路结合软件无线电技术,自主研发的我国新一代VLBI数字基带转换器(Chinese Data Acquisition System,简称CDAS).文中描述了设备的工作原理及其组成,并以VLBI观测实验数据证明其可行性.与原有的模拟设备(Anal...     

VLBI台站监管系统的研制与应用

VLBI台站监管系统是绕月探测工程VLBI测轨分系统应用软件的一个重要组成部分。其主要功能是在VLBI观测期间实时监管各测站参试设备运行状况,采集参试设备数据信息并进行处理分析与存档,当系统出现问题时能立即指出问题所在;另外,还实时提供必要的有关数据给VLBI数据处理中心做相关处理。VLBI台站监管系统在嫦娥探月一期工程实施期间运行稳定、可靠,对VLBI测轨任务的圆满完成起到了积极的作用。目前,它仍在探月工程的常规观测中发挥作用。     

Wide-field VLBI imaging

We discuss the technique of Wide-field imaging as it applies to Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). In the past VLBI data sets were usually averaged so severely that the field-of-view was typically restricted to regions extending a few hundred milliarcseconds from the phase centre of the field. Recent advances in data analysis techniques, together with increasing data storage capabilities, and enhanced computer processing power, now permit VLBI images to be made whose angular size represents a significant fraction of an individual antenna's primary beam. This technique has recently been successfully applied to several large separation gravitational lens systems, compact Supernova Remnants in the starburst galaxy M82, and two faint radio sources located within the same VLA FIRST field. It seems likely that other VLBI observing programmes might benefit from this wide-field approach to VLBI data analysis. With the raw sensitivity of global VLBI set to improve by a factor 4–5 over the coming few years, the number of sources that can be detected in a given field will rise considerably. In addition, a continued progression in VLBI's ability to image relatively faint and extended low brightness temperature features (such as hot-spots in large-scale astrophysical jets) is also to be expected. As VLBI sensitivity approaches the μJy level, a wide-field approach to data analysis becomes inevitable.     

利用国内VLBI网跟踪大椭圆轨道卫星

2004年7月,昆明VLBI站经过改造,由上海、乌鲁木齐和昆明站组成的中国VLBI网(CVN)采用统一的MARK4格式编制器和CVN硬盘记录系统,对大椭圆轨道卫星“探测1号”的2圈轨道的共同可视弧段进行了跟踪观测．软件相关处理程序已成功地用于检测卫星遥测信号的干涉条纹和数据相关处理．采用基于条纹幅度的加权最小二乘条纹拟合方法,获得了卫星VLBI观测量及其精度估计,完成了卫星VLBI观测量的3基线闭合误差检验．应用河外射电源校准方法和多频点相位校正信号提取方法,进行了台站钟差和仪器延迟等系统误差改正．经系统差改正后的卫星VLBI观测量序列已用于“探测1号”卫星的轨道确定．     

An Approach of Tropospheric Correction for VLBI Phase-Referencing using GPS Data

The dominant source of error in VLBI phase-referencing is the troposphere at observing frequencies above 5 GHz. We compare the tropospheric zenith delays derived from VLBI and GPS data at VLBA stations collocated with GPS antennas. The systematic biases and standard deviations both are at the level of sub-centimeter. Based on this agreement, we suggest a new method of tropospheric correction in phase-referencing using combined VLBI and GPS data.     

The Study on the Group Delay Jumping of CE-4 VLBI System

The phase delay software is a key component of VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) orbit determination system in CE-4 mission, which is critical to deep space exploration. When processing X-band DOR (Differential One-way Ranging) signals of probes in the past, the group delay jumping occasionally occurred in the observed scan. This paper consists of two parts. First, according to the VLBI station signal reception and VLBI center data processing steps, we analyzed the frequency, phase, power, and self-correlation spectrum of the signal, and located the influencing factor at the abnormal analog signal of Kunming (KM) station. Second, the group delay jumping was revised by the post-correction method, which was based on the analysis of the abnormal unwrap phase. We used the corrected phase to get the new group delay, and used orbit determination software to verify the effectiveness of the post-correction method, which upgraded the phase delay processing software.     

嫦娥四号VLBI群时延跳变研究

相时延处理软件是嫦娥四号(CE-4)任务甚长基线干涉测量(Very Long Baseline Interferometry,VLBI)测轨分系统软件配置项之一,利用其处理着陆巡视器X波段DOR(Differential One-way Ranging)信号时,观测弧段(scan)内偶尔存在残余群时延跳变问题.论文主要分为两部分:一是根据VLBI信号接收和数据处理流程,从相关相位、频率、幅度和功率方面进行分析,最终将影响因素定位在昆明测站模拟信号异常;二是以scan内时延跳变影响因素分析为基础,通过修正异常基线相关相位,研究残余群时延跳变事后改正方法,并利用定轨软件验证其有效性,升级了相时延处理软件.     

Intraday polarization variability outside the VLBI core of the active galactic nucleus 0716+714

Rapid ('intraday') cm-wavelength variations in both total and polarized flux density have been observed in a number of strong extragalactic radio sources. It is difficult to explain these variations purely as propagation effects, but if they are intrinsic to the sources, implausibly high brightness temperatures are required. We discuss here rapid polarization variability during our λ =6 cm global very long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations of the active galactic nucleus 0716+714. Measurements made with the Very Large Array (VLA) during the VLBI observations indicate a ≃50° swing in the position angle χ of the VLA core polarization in 12 hours. Corresponding variations were observed only for short VLBI baselines, so that they could not have occurred in the VLBI core (the only feature detected in our VLBI polarization map). The fact that the variations appear both in the VLA data and in the VLBI data for short baselines makes it difficult to explain them as instrumental effects. This leads us to conclude that the rapid variations occurred outside the area covered by our VLBI map; we estimate that the variability occurred in some compact feature roughly 25 milliarcseconds from the nucleus. It is clear that compact structures on a wide range of scales must be taken into account in studies of intraday variability in AGN.     

VLBI and VLA observations of intraday polarization variability in 0917+624 and 0954+658

Total intensity and polarization λ =6 cm Very Large Array (VLA) and global very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) images of the quasar 0917+624 and the BL Lacertae object 0954+658 (both at epoch 1991.43) are analysed. Integrated measurements using the VLA during the VLBI observations indicated that, although there were no substantial total intensity variations, there were significant polarization variations for both sources during the 24-h VLBI experiment. The VLBI data were divided into 2–3 h segments in order to try to identify corresponding rapid variability in the VLBI structure. This analysis revealed intraday variability (IDV) in the VLBI core of 0917+624: both the polarized flux and the polarization position angle varied substantially on time-scales of ∼5–10 h. There is evidence that the VLA polarization variations for 0954+658 occurred in an inner VLBI jet component, where the polarized flux varied by ∼30–40 per cent on time-scales of ∼2 h. 0917+624 and 0954+658 were observed together with 0716+714, an object that also displayed IDV in the polarized flux density measured during our experiment (analysed in a separate paper). These three sources were targeted for the VLBI observations since they had been previously identified as intraday variables, but we had no way of knowing whether they would vary during our observations. The fact that all three exhibited IDV in polarization (but not in total intensity) during our experiment suggests that polarization IDV occurs frequently in at least some IDV sources.     

遥测接收机基带信号处理的数字化实现方法

根据VLBI系统中接收的遥测信号基带信号的特点,介绍了利用虚拟无线电技术实现遥测接收机基带信号处理的基本原理,并分别概述了接收机的载波解调、副载波解调、数据转换环3个功能模块的数字化实现方法。仿真结果和实测数据表明,利用虚拟无线电技术能够很好地实现对遥测信号的解调和同步工作,又因该技术本身具有容易更新、方便添加接口、可并行化等优点,这种基于虚拟无线电技术的遥测接收机基带处理系统,将能够为遥测、导航、天线组阵等相关技术提供很好的实验和应用平台。     

VSOP/global VLBI observations of 2021+614: Detection of hotspot advance

We have analysed VSOP and global VLBI data at 5 GHz and VLBA + Effelsberg data at 15 GHz for 2021+614. By identifying the core as being between two bright hotspots, we show that 2021+614 is a compact symmetric object of size 40 pc. From comparison with earlier observations we deduce an apparent age of 375 yr for 2021+614. This provides additional support for the contention that compact symmetric radio objects associated with galaxies are in fact young radio sources and the possible precursors of the classical FR I or FR II radio galaxies.