1. Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy AA-mid design for construction Raymond vandenBrink 14-12-2011 1 WP. Tile Development The project “SKA Noord-Nederland” is collaboration between ASTRON, Major, Neways, Isiterra and S&T. SKA-NN is supported by subsidies from the EC/EFRO program and the Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland (SNN) Koers Noord program, and from the Province of Drenthe and Groningen.

2. Overview  Antenna concepts  Various  W-Plates  Quad Modules  Housing concepts  Vacuhouse  Rotohouse  Continuing Array  Tile and Station design WP. Tile Development 2 14-12-2011 The project “SKA Noord-Nederland” is collaboration between ASTRON, Major, Neways, Isiterra and S&T. SKA-NN is supported by subsidies from the EC/EFRO program and the Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland (SNN) Koers Noord program, and from the Province of Drenthe and Groningen.

3. ANTENNA AAVP 3 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development

4. ANTENNA CONCEPTS  Various concepts judged on:  Performance  Reliability  Cost 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 4

5. POTENTIAL CONCEPTS  TWO potential directions 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 5 W shaped plates QUAD modules

6. Antenna concept – Wplates ASTRON-RP-441_AAVS concept antenna – Wplates.doc +No or less profiles (EMBRACE) +Connection by clinching +Less parts ---  Less labor, less time, lower cost +Selfsupporting +Thinner ---  Less material, lower cost 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 6

7. Antenna concept – Wplates ASTRON-RP-441_AAVS concept antenna – Wplates.doc 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 7 First prototypes to test;  Shape  Production possibility  Assembly  Stiffness (different thicknesses) (0,6 ; 0,8 ; 1,0mm)

8. Antenna concept – Wplates ASTRON-RP-441_AAVS concept antenna – Wplates.doc 8 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development Second prototype includes;  Features to hold feedboard  Cutting strategy to maintain shape  Connection options for testing (ongoing)

9. Antenna concept – Wplates ASTRON-RP-441_AAVS concept antenna – Wplates.doc 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 9  Support broken after assembly  Proto cost per element : 13,00 Euro  Final cost per element : 0,90 Euro -Based on quotations 2011-

10. Antenna concept – Wplates ASTRON-RP-441_AAVS concept antenna – Wplates.doc Under investigation;  Connection between tiles 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 10

11. Antenna concept – QUAD Modules ASTRON-RP-XXX_AAVS concept antenna – QUAD Modules.doc +No profiles (EMBRACE) +Connection by clinching +Less parts +Better manageable parts ---  Less labor, less time, lower cost +Selfsupporting +Thinner ---  Less material, lower cost 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 11

12. Antenna concept – QUAD Modules ASTRON-RP-XXX_AAVS concept antenna – QUAD Modules.doc  QUAD Modules (QM)  QM1 experiment with profiles  QM2 experiment with flexible edges  QM3 experiment with clamps 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 12 QM1 QM2QM3

13. Antenna concept – QUAD Modules ASTRON-RP-XXX_AAVS concept antenna – QUAD Modules.doc QM2 tested;  Mechanical unstable  Bad connection  Possible solution under investigation  Proto Cost per element 25,00 Euro  Final Cost per element 0,80  QM3 still to be tested 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 13

14. HOUSING AAVP – SKA-NN 14 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development

15. Housing concept – Vacuhouse ASTRON-RP-436_AAVS concept housing – Vacuhouse.doc +Parts of 3m x 1.5m possible +Tiles of 3m x 3m possible +± €180,- / m² possible (for 2000m²) Made by vacuum forming –Limited in size / No continuing antenna –Less integrated features possible –Required module size still unknown –Suitable for small series 15 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development

16. Housing concept – Vacuhouse ASTRON-RP-436_AAVS concept housing – Vacuhouse.doc WP. Tile Development 16 14-12-2011

17. Housing concept – Rotohouse ASTRON-RP-437_AAVS concept housing – Rotohouse.doc +Max 4m diameter possible +More detailled features possible +Accuracy of mould +High freedom in design +± €90,- / m² possible (for 2000m²) +Water gutter integrated –Limited in size / No continuing antenna Made by rotational molding 17 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development

18. Housing concept – Rotohouse ASTRON-RP-437_AAVS concept housing – Rotohouse.doc 18 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development

19. Housing concept – Continuing Array ASTRON-RP-XXX_AAVS concept housing – ContinuingArray.doc (tbr) +Connects diagonal oriented vivaldis in orthogonal direction +“Infinitely” expandable +Edges can be closed +No corner pieces needed –Assembly in desert required –Smaller unit  more labor Made by injection molding (most parts) 19 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development

20. Housing concept – Continuing Array ASTRON-RP-XXX_AAVS concept housing – ContinuingArray.doc (tbr)  Useable for small and large configurations  Water gutter integrated  Support pole also guides water  To be prototyped: beginning 2012 20 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development

21. TILE AND STATION DESIGN AAVP – SKA-NN 21 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development

22. TILE 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 22 Cover Side Support Pole Vivaldi OCTA board Combi board Centerboard

23. SUPPORT Injection molded makes integration possible;  Features to fix PCBs  Features to fix tiles  Features to fix antennae 14-12-2011 -Injection molding -PP or ABS WP. Tile Development 23

24. CENTRE and COMBIBOARD 14-12-2011 Combiboard fixed. Centreboard placed, Combiboards attached. WP. Tile Development 24

25. OCTABOARDS 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 25 OCTAboards placed OCTAboard fixed

26. GROUNDPLANE 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 26 Pre-shaped groundplane Features for contact with other tiles Holes for connectors Holes for antenna mounting -Lasercut or stamped -Aluminium thin sheet (0,3mm)

27. VIVALDIS 14-12-2011 -Lasercut or stamped -Aluminium sheet (less than 1mm) -Clinched in groups of four -Fixed at bottom Vivaldis placed in groups of four Vivaldis go through support and are being fixed at the bottom. WP. Tile Development 27

28. COVER and POLES 14-12-2011 Cover placed on top -Injection molding or vacuum forming. -PP or PE -Extrusion or injection molding -PP or ABS, perhaps PVC (common in extrusion) Poles to support the cover both when used in the middle of a station or at the edge. Also to close the corners. WP. Tile Development 28

29. (expandable) MODULE 14-12-2011 -Injection molding or vacuumforming -PP or PE WP. Tile Development 29

30. ARRAY of FOUR CONNECTED 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 30 Tiles are connected by snap feature. Connection in diagonal direction.

31. STATION Station layout non-continuous  No assembly outdoors  Maintenance / replacement easier  Enough space for water (rain)  Testable units 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 31 Station layout continuous  All elements connected  Small units  Assembly partly in the field  Replacement almost impossible Both scenarios under investigation

32. Thank you 14-12-2011 WP. Tile Development 32