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Instrument

The DSA-110

The NSF-funded Deep Synoptic Array-110 (DSA-110) is a radio interferometer purpose-built for fast radio burst (FRB) detection and direct localization. The array is sited at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO). 110 × 4.65-m dishes will continuously survey for FRBs at frequencies between 1280 – 1530 MHz. Over a three-year science program, the DSA-110 will deliver a sample of more than 300 FRBs localized to regions smaller than 3 arcseconds (<1/1000 of a degree) on the sky.

This is made possible by a suite of novel instrumentation developed by our group, including precisely engineered antennas, ultra-low noise ambient-temperature receivers, and a powerful real-time, autonomous data-analysis system. Public FRB alerts will be issued via the VOEvent service to the entire astronomical community to ensure rapid follow-up of DSA-localized FRBs.

Image: G. Hallinan

Specifications

ParameterValue
Number of dishes *110
Dish diameter4.65 m
Aperture efficiency0.65
System temperature #25 K
Frequency band1280 – 1530 MHz
Number of channels8192
FRB search sensitivity (7.5σ, 1 ms) †< 1.7 Jy ms
Field of view10 deg²
Maximum baseline2.6 km
FRB localization accuracy± 1.5 arcsec
Survey speed3.1 × 104 deg² m4 K−2

* 95 dishes are in a Tee-shaped core for FRB searching, with 15 outriggers.
# Measured on-sky, including all contributions.
† This applies within the entire field of view.

Image: V. Ravi

Technology

The DSA-110 is made possible by novel technologies developed by the instrument team, together with the adaptation of open-source and off-the-shelf hardware and software components.

OVRO designed and built mount and drive, remotely steerable in elevation. (Image: M. Hodges)
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Ambient-temperature low noise amplifier (LNA) designed and built by the OVRO receiver lab, led by Sandy Weinreb, for the DSA-110, delivering 7K noise temperature. The receiver lab also designed and built custom RF-over-fiber signal transport modules, and signal-conditioning components. (Image: S. Weinreb)
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Real-time, autonomous digital backend that performs full cross-correlation, self-calibration, beamforming of the core antennas, FRB searching, and voltage recording. All components of the DSA-110 are monitored and controlled using a custom etcd-based architecture.

Location and Configuration

The DSA-110 is currently under construction at OVRO, and a 63-antenna deployment is being commissioned. The array will consist of a core of 95 antennas arranged on an existing Tee-shaped infrastructure for FRB searching, and a further 15 outrigger antennas distributed across the OVRO site for FRB localization. All antennas are served with power and optic-fiber infrastructure, the latter for signal transport and monitor/control. A real-time search pipeline will trigger the storage of data from all antennas for the purposes of offline localization. 66 antennas are currently operational, including all outriggers and 51 core antennas.

Background image: Google Earth