Research on key technologies for installation and maintenance of reflector of FAST

The reflector of the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST)consists of 4450 reflector units.Installation of the reflector faces the challenges of large span,complex terrain,serious interference,complex processes,high position and inability to use conventional equipment.The installation technology for the flexible reflector with a large span was specially studied and designed.Two half-span arc-moving cable cranes and two transfer trucks were jointly operated along a path that follows a circular beam.After installation of the reflector was completed,two half-span cable cranes were merged into a set of full-span cable cranes for maintenance of the reflector.Installation of the reflector combines features of unit and site topography of FAST.The installation technology follows scientific and reasonable practices,and is highly efficient and convenient.It represents a breakthrough in many key technologies in construction and maintenance techniques.It has promoted related technical progress in the construction and maintenance of complex projects.It has also provided an important reference for the construction and maintenance of similar projects,and has strong significance and applicability.     

Simulation of FAST EM performance for both the axial and lateral feed defocusing

Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST)is the world’s largest single dish radio telescope,which is located in Guizhou Province,in southwest China.The FAST feed cabin is supported and positioned by six steel cables.The deviation of the feed position and orientation would lead to loss in the telescope efficiency.In this paper,a series of electromagnetic(EM)simulations of the FAST facility with varying feed positions and orientation offsets was performed.The maximum gain of FAST is about 82.3 dBi and the sibelobe is–32 dB with respect to the main beam at 3 GHz.The simulation results have demonstrated that the telescope efficiency loss is more sensitive to the lateral feed deviation compared with the axial deviation.The telescope efficiency would decrease by 8.2%due to the FAST feed position deviation of 10 mm rms when the observing frequency is 3 GHz.The FAST feed deviation basically has no effect on the sidelobes and cross polarization characteristic according to the simulations.     

Schemes for Segmenting the Main Reflector of the FAST

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The fundamental performance of FAST with 19-beam receiver at L band

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST) has passed national acceptance and finished one pilot cycle of ‘Shared-Risk’ observations. It will start formal operation soon. In this context, this paper describes testing results of key fundamental parameters for FAST, aiming to provide basic support for observation and data reduction of FAST for scientific researchers. The 19-beam receiver covering 1.05–1.45 GHz was utilized for most of these observations. The fluctuation in electronic gain of the system is better than 1% over 3.5 hours, enabling enough stability for observations. Pointing accuracy,aperture efficiency and system temperature are three key parameters for FAST. The measured standard deviation of pointing accuracy is 7.9′′, which satisfies the initial design of FAST. When zenith angle is less than 26.4°, the aperture efficiency and system temperature around 1.4 GHz are ~0.63 and less than 24 K for central beam, respectively. The sensitivity and stability of the 19-beam backend are confirmed to satisfy expectation by spectral HI observations toward NGC 672 and polarization observations toward 3 C 286. The performance allows FAST to take sensitive observations for various scientific goals, from studies of pulsars to galaxy evolution.     

Search for possible exomoons with the FAST telescope

Our knowledge of the solar system encourages us to believe that we might expect exomoons to be present around some known exoplanets. With present hardware and existing optical astronomy methods, we do not expect to be able to find exomoons for at least 10 years, and even then, it will be a hard task to detect them. Using data from the Exoplanet Orbit Database(EOD) we find stars with Jovian exoplanets within 50 light years. Most of them will be fully accessible by the new radio telescope, the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST), under construction which is now in the test phase. We suggest radio astronomy based methods to search for possible exomoons around two exoplanets.     

From KARST to FAST: The Conceptual Origin of FAST and Its Decision-making Process

In the era of big science, the construction of large science projects is becoming more complex. Designers have to comprehensively consider factors such as instrument performance, technical reserves, funding, risks, and the environment to make a reasonable decision. On the basis of domestic and international astronomy, this paper sorts out the process of the formation of the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) concept and the decisions made by the FAST team, including the Chinese concept of the large telescope, the proposal of the prototype, and the adoption of the active reflector, etc. We also discuss the process of decision-making. FAST was born in the process of interaction and integration between Chinese and international astronomy development, and realized the transformation from following up to taking the lead. It can provide a reference for constructing future large science projects with limited foundations in terms of technology and funding.     

从KARST到FAST---中国天眼的概念起源与决策过程

在大科学时代,大科学工程的建设日益复杂,设计者需综合考虑设备性能、技术储备、经费、风险、环境等因素才能进行合理决策.在国内外天文学发展的背景中,梳理了500 m口径球面射电望远镜(Five-hundredmeter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope, FAST)概念形成的过程以及FAST团队在其中所做的决策,包括大望远镜中国方案的设想、先导单元的提出、主动反射面技术的采用等,并对决策过程进行了分析探讨. FAST诞生于我国与国际天文学发展的互动与融合进程,实现了从跟进到占据先机的转变,可为在相关基础薄弱的领域建设大科学工程提供参考.     

EMC design for actuators in the FAST reflector

An active reflector is one of the three main innovations incorporated in the Five-hundredmeter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST).The deformation of such a huge spherically shaped reflector into different transient parabolic shapes is achieved by using 2225 hydraulic actuators which change the position of the 2225 nodes through the connected down tied cables.For each different tracking process of the telescope,more than 1/3 of these 2225 actuators must be in operation to tune the parabolic aperture accurately and meet the surface error restriction.This means that some of these actuators are inevitably located within the main beam of the receiver,and Electromagnetic Interference(EMI)from the actuators must be mitigated to ensure the scientific output of the telescope.Based on the threshold level of interference detrimental to radio astronomy described in ITU-R Recommendation RA.769 and EMI measurements,the shielding efficiency(SE)requirement for each actuator is set to be 80 d B in the frequency range from 70 MHz to 3 GHz.Therefore,Electromagnetic Compatibility(EMC)was taken into account in the actuator design by measures such as power line filters,optical fibers,shielding enclosures and other structural measures.In 2015,all the actuators had been installed at the FAST site.Till now,no apparent EMI from the actuators has been detected by the receiver,which demonstrates the effectiveness of these EMC measures.     

Study of central control system for FAST

FAST(The Five-Hundred-Meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope) is an under-building radio telescope which will be the largest single dish in the world. Through the study of the central control system, in accordance with the actual operation of the telescope and observation process, this article introduces the physical models for engineers and observers, the central control system architecture design, basic support modules and the necessary interfaces. We simulated observation control process and telescopes monitoring and control process, and took Active Reflector System as a subsystem example to complete the control system design and implementation using EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System). The Central control system, with active reflector systems, feed supporting system has been taken to an integration test at Miyun model. In the case of the normal operation of the various sub-systems of the Miyun model by the central control system, a coordinated control is achieved.     

Opportunities to search for extraterrestrial intelligence with the FAST

The discovery of ubiquitous habitable extrasolar planets,combined with revolutionary advances in instrumentation and observational capabilities,has ushered in a renaissance in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence(SETI).Large scale SETI activities are now underway at numerous international facilities.The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST)is the largest single-aperture radio telescope in the world,and is well positioned to conduct sensitive searches for radio emission indicative of exo-intelligence.SETI is one of the five key science goals specified in the original FAST project plan.A collaboration with the Breakthrough Listen Initiative was initiated in 2016 with a joint statement signed both by Dr.Jun Yan,the then director of National Astronomical Observatories,Chinese Academy of Sciences(NAOC),and Dr.Peter Worden,Chairman of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation.In this paper,we highlight some of the unique features of FAST that will allow for novel SETI observations.We identify and describe three different signal types indicative of a technological source,namely,narrow band,wide-band artificially dispersed and modulated signals.Here,we propose observations with FAST to achieve sensitivities never before explored.For nearby exoplanets,such as TESS targets,FAST will be sensitive to an EIRP of 1.9×1011 W,well within the reach of current human technology.For the Andromeda Galaxy,FAST will be able to detect any Kardashev type II or more advanced civilization there.     

On the cable car feed support configuration for FAST

This paper introduces the cable car feed support configuration for China's FAST project. Recent advances on the mechanics of the proposed supporting structure and the control of the Stewart platform for secondary feed stabilization are presented. Difficulties associated with the configuration are also discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The control system of the active main reflector for FAST

The main reflector of FAST consists of about 1800 elementary units. Each unit has three adjustable supports to fix its position, and its position is adjusted by mean of mechanical actuators. According to the radio source position at any given time, all the actuators are continuously adjusted to form a proper paraboloid in real time during the course of the observation. The basic requirements of such a control system are discussed. A field bus control system based on LonWorks technology is suggested to control all 1800actuators. The main advantages of this distributed control system are its reliability, flexibility, efficiency and economics. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

FAST促动器性能测试在线监测系统

根据FAST主动反射面需求评估了对促动器性能的要求,依促动器评估参数需求设计了针对电流、功率、温度、负载、位移、限位信号的监测系统,确定各监测信号传感器选型,完成监测系统的组装制作,并将其应用于实验,实现促动器的在线监测功能以及促动器无人值守实验,针对以往促动器实验时人工巡检故障的离线监测有很大改进,在精度以及历史信息记录上都有质的提高,进行了长期的促动器调试与监测.     

Suggested quasi-Cassegrain system for multi-beam observation of FAST

FAST, the largest single-dish radio telescope in the world, has a 500-meter diameter main reflector and a 300-meter diameter illuminated area. It has a main reflector that can vary its shape, which continuously changes the shape of the illuminated area in reflector into a paraboloid. In this article, we propose a quasiCassegrain system for FAST. The detailed design results are provided. Such a quasi-Cassegrain system only needs to add a 14.6-meter diameter secondary reflector, which is close to the size of the feed cabin. The distance from the secondary reflector to the focus is only 5.08 m, and it has excellent image quality. In this quasi-Cassegrain system, the shape of the illuminated area in the main reflector continuously changes into an optimized hyperboloid. Using this quasi-Cassegrain system from frequency 0.5 GHz to 8 GHz, the multi-beam system can include 7 to 217 feeds. If this system is used in combination with Phased Array Feed(PAF) technology, more multi-beam feeds or a higher working frequency can be used.     

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.     

A motion planning algorithm for the feed support system of FAST

The paper relates to a motion planning algorithm for the feed support system of the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST).To enhance the stability of the feed support system,the start/termination planning segments are adopted with an acceleration and deceleration section.The source switching planning adopts a combination of a line segment and focal segment to realize stable control of the feed support system.Besides,during the observation trajectory,a transition segment which is not used for observation data is planned with a required time.Through an example simulation,a smooth change is realized via the motion planning algorithm and presented in this paper.     

应用ATA的对数周期馈源方案于FAST的可能性探讨

介绍应用于美国凤凰计划的Allen望远镜阵(ATA)的对数周期馈源(LPA)概况，初步给出此种馈源的基本参数及性能，仿真估算了其驻波比和方向图，并结合正在进行中的我国500m孔径球面射电望远镜(FAST)计划，探讨了应用这种宽带馈源的可能性及其限制。     

FAST馈源支撑系统中质量阻尼器的初步设计

500m球面射电望远镜(FAST)的馈源支撑系统存在大跨度柔性索支撑结构,馈源仓容易受到外界干扰源的激励引起振动,影响馈源舱内接收机定位和指向的性能和精度.质量阻尼器作为一种有效并且可靠的振动控制设备,得到了深入的研究和应用.本文从质量阻尼器的基本原理出发,初步设计出一种应用于FAsT馈源支撑系统的被动和主动质量阻尼器模型.数值分析和仿真实验结果表明质量阻尼器对FAST馈源仓的振动有明显的抑制效果.     

The design of China Reconfigurable ANalog-digital backEnd for FAST

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST)was launched on 2016 September 25.From early 2017,we began to use the FAST wideband receiver,which was designed,constructed and installed on the FAST in Guizhou,China.The front end of the receiver is composed an uncooled Quad Ridge Flared Horn feed(QRFH)with the frequency range of 270 to 1620 MHz,and a cryostat operating at 10 K.We have cooperated with the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to develop the China Reconfigurable ANalog-digital backEnd(CRANE).The system covers the 3 GHz operating band of FAST.The hardware part of the backend includes an Analog Front-end Board,a wideband high precision Analog Digital Converter,and a FAST Digital Back-end.Analog circuit boards,field programmable gate arrays,and control computers form a set of hardware,software,and firmware platforms to achieve flexible bandwidth requirements through parameter changes.It is also suitable for the versatility of different astronomical observations,and can meet specific requirements.This paper briefly introduces the hardware and software of CRANE,as well as some observations of the system.     

A preliminary study on photogrammetry for the FAST main reflector measurement

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST) is the largest single-dish radio telescope in the world. In this paper, we apply photogrammetry to measure local area surface accuracy of the FAST main reflector. Contrast with the existing photogrammetric methods that need to stick the cooperation target on the panel. In this paper, we directly detect nodes according to their natural feature. Analyzing the FAST reflector composition, we propose a two-step Hough transform method for node detection. Due to the high similarity of the neighboring area around nodes, it is hard to match two images by the feature matching method. Therefore, we apply the nodes combination approach to obtain the homography matrix between two photos for nodes matching. After nodes detection and matching,triangulation and bundle adjustment algorithms are adopted for 3 D reconstruction. During the experiment,the adjusted node position deform a local area of the FAST main reflector into a spherical cap with a radius of 300 m. The experimental result shows that the measurement accuracy of the sphere with a radius of 300 m is 12.299 mm, indicating that it is feasible to apply photogrammetry for the FAST main reflector measurement.