 Plug
and Play Radio Telescope
The British Astronomical Association's radio astronomy group is working
on an interesting project to develop a “plug and play” radio
telescope system that can be connected to any modern PC.
The group says that beginners as well as experts will be able to use
the system to easily set up their own radio observatory.
The system will have a modular design to allow new functionality to be
bolted on as and when it is developed. Modules will initially be available
for solar observations at 2.8GHz and sudden ionospheric disturbances (SIDs)
at VLF but other modules are planned, including a software-controlled
scanning receiver and interferometry, 151MHz and 38MHz receivers. The
group is also keen to hear from anyone interested in developing further
modules.
The project has been split into three phases. The first involves the
production of a core PIC module to which a variety of receiver designs
can be connected. Each receiver will be controlled and monitored from
a PC using Java software.
In the second phase, the group aims to develop a simple Ethernet to eight-channel
RS485 hub to provide easy connection with modern computers. The final
phase is to create an internet-based database of results from individuals'
observations.
For more information about this innovative project, visit the group's
website. www.britastro.org/info/radio.html
Source: GB2RS News - Courtesy of the
RSGB
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The
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