The next step would be to optimise the array in some way. Without terrain constraints this optimisation reduced peak sidelobes in the snapshot beam by a factor or 2 or so. The next step would be to run the sideblobe minimisation program incorporating a terrain mask constraint. Overall plan of array. Top Left panel shows the array superimposed on the digital elevation model.
Solid symbols are pads occupied by antennas, open symbols are unoccupied pads.
Array superimposed on 10 degree gradient terrain mask. Array plus terrain mask, as above but with a 5 degree local gradient limit. Zenith snapshot uv coverage given occupied pads. The manually fitted array is shown in the figures. As described in Section 1 the antenna pads were only placed at positions allowed by a terrain mask.