Long Wavelength Array (LWA): Virginia Tech Contributions This page documents Virginia Tech's current tasks and past contributions to the Long Wavelength Array (LWA) project. Only tasks/contributions which are explictly funded by LWA/ONR funds or (in earlier years) by LWDA/NRL funds are included, and only the tangible, documented outcomes are listed. However, LWA has also benefited from cross-over contributions from our NSF-funded low-frequency radio astronomy project ETA (web site). Maintainer: S.W. Ellingson URL: http://www.ece.vt.edu/swe/lwavt/ Last Update: Apr 12, 2012. Table of Contents: Completed: Calendar Year 2012 Completed: Calendar Year 2011 Completed: Calendar Year 2010 Completed: Calendar Year 2009 Completed: Calendar Year 2008 Completed: Calendar Year 2007 Completed: Calendar Year 2006 Completed: Calendar Year 2005 Calendar Year 2012 MCS0046 C.N. Wolfe, "MCS Data Recorder Operating System Version 1.4.0, Apr 11, 2011. MCS0045 C. Wolfe, S. Ellingson & C. Patterson, "Interface Control Document for Monitor and Control System Data Recorder, v.1.4", March 2, 2012. MCS0044 C.N. Wolfe, "MCS Data Recorder Operating System Version 1.3.1, Mar 2, 2011. SLC0020 S. Ellingson, "Results from LWA1 Commissioning: Sensitivity, Beam Characteristics, & Calibration", URSI National Radio Science Meeting, Boulder, CO, Jan 4, 2012. Calendar Year 2011 M.184, SLC0019 S. Ellingson, "Fun With TBN", September 13, 2011. MCS0043 S. Ellingson, "Real-Time Data Analysis using LWA-1 Data Recorders", LWA Users Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, May 12, 2011. SLC0018 S. Ellingson, "Crab Giant Pulses & Other Dispersed Transients", LWA Users Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, May 12, 2011. MCS0042 S. Ellingson, "How to Observe with LWA1", LWA Users Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, May 12, 2011. M.180, MCS0041 C. Wolfe, S. Ellingson & C. Patterson, "MCS-Data Recorder PC Assembly and Operating System Installation", June 6, 2010. MCS0040 S. Ellingson, "MCS Software Joint Release 5", March 8, 2011. Includes MCS/Scheduler v.0.9.1, MCS/Executive v.0.4, & MCS/TaskProcessor v.0.2 Earlier versions: See MCS0039. MCS0039 S. Ellingson, "MCS Software Joint Release 4", Feb 27, 2011. Includes MCS/Scheduler v.0.9, MCS/Executive v.0.3, & MCS/TaskProcessor v.0.1 Earlier versions: See MCS0038. MCS0038 S. Ellingson, "MCS Software Joint Release 3", Feb 15, 2011. Includes MCS/Scheduler v.0.9 and MCS/Executive version 0.3 Earlier versions: See MCS0036 (2010). SLC0017 S. Ellingson on behalf of the LWA Collaboration, "Long Wavelength Array Update", URSI National Radio Science Meeting, January 5, 2011. Calendar Year 2010 M.176, SLC0016 S. Ellingson, Q. Liu, and J. Craig, "The LWA-1 S60 System", December 21, 2010 (v.2). Earlier versions: v.1 (Dec 12, 2010). M.175, SLC0015 S. Ellingson, "A Parametric Model for the Normalized Power Pattern of a Dipole Antenna over Ground", December 8, 2010. MCS0037 S. Ellingson, "LWA MCS Sky Model (LMSM) v.0.1", Nov 08, 2010. MCS0036 S. Ellingson, "MCS Software Joint Release 2", Nov 17, 2010. Includes MCS/Scheduler v.0.8 and MCS/Executive version 0.2 Earlier versions: JR1, Nov 2, 2010. NOTE: Superceded by MCS0038; see 2011. MCS0035 S. Ellingson, "IDA (Immediate Data Analysis) v.0.1", Oct 8, 2010. MCS0034 S. Ellingson, "MTBW v.0.3 (TBW data analysis software)", Oct 5, 2010. Earlier versions: Ver. 0.2; Sep 30, 2010. Ver. 0.1; Sep 28, 2010. NOTE: This software superceded by IDA; see MCS0035. MCS0033 S. Ellingson, J. Craig, M. Soriano, C. Wolfe, "LWA-1 Local Area Network Configuration", Ver. 3, August 28, 2010. This document available only through the (private) LWA Engineering Memo Series. Earlier versions: Ver. 2; Aug 20, 2010. M.170, SLC0014 S. Ellingson, J. Craig, and J. Hartman, "LWA-1 Antenna Position and Cable Data", Ver. 3, December 9, 2010. Earlier Versions: Ver. 2, September 6, 2010; Ver. 1, August 20, 2010. MCS0032 S. Ellingson, "MCS/Scheduler Software Version 0.6.1", July 1, 2010. (Start with readme.txt in archive.) Bugfix to previous version (0.6). NOTE: This software superceded by Joint Release 1; see MCS0036. MCS0031 S. Ellingson, "LWA Station-Level Metadata", Ver. 5, Apr 13, 2011. Earlier versions: Ver. 4, Mar 29, 2011; Ver. 3, Feb 27, 2011; Ver. 2, Nov 02, 2010; Ver. 1, June 16, 2010. MCS0030 S. Ellingson, "LWA Station-Level Observing Procedure and Associated Metadata", Ver. 5, Apr 13, 2011. Earlier versions: Ver. 4, Mar 29, 2011; Ver. 3, Mar 01, 2011; Ver. 2, Feb 27, 2011; Ver. 1, June 16, 2010. MCS0029 S. Ellingson, "Monitoring of LWA Subsystems using ms_mb", June 1, 2010. MCS0028 S. Ellingson, "MCS/Scheduler Software Version 0.5", June 1, 2010. (Start with readme.txt in archive.) MCS0027 C.N. Wolfe, "MCS Data Recorder Operating System Version 1.2.4, Dec 10, 2010. Superceded by Ver. 1.3.1 (see 2012). Earlier versions: "1.2.3" Dec 7, 2010; "1.2.1" Sep 24, 2010; "1.2", Aug 25, 2010; "1.1", Jul 2, 2010; "1.0", May 23, 2010. MCS0026 C.N. Wolfe, "MCS Data Recorder Operating System Version 0.9 (beta)", March 22, 2010. (Start with quickstart.txt in archive.) MCS0025 C. Wolfe, S. Ellingson & C. Patterson, "Interface Control Document for Monitor and Control System Data Recorder, v.1.2", Aug 25, 2010. Superceded by v.1.4 (2012). Earlier versions: Version 1.1, July 2, 2010; Version 1.0, March 22, 2010. SLC0013 S.W. Ellingson, "Report on VT LWA-1 Site Activity, Jan 7-12, 2010", Jan 16, 2010. (Includes documentation of S60 backend and data collected during indicated dates.) Calendar Year 2009 M.166, SLC0012 S.W. Ellingson, "Sensitivity of Antenna Antenna Arrays for Long-Wavelength Radio Astronomy", Dec 30, 2009. (Submission to IEEE Trans. Ant. & Prop.) MCS0024 S.W. Ellingson, et al., "Monitoring & Control System (MCS) Critical Design Review", Nov 20, 2009. (Presentation at LWA1 CDR.) MCS0023 S.W. Ellingson, et al., "MCS Documentation for LWA-1 CDR", Nov 10, 2009. MCS0022 C.N. Wolfe, "MCS Data Recorder Operating System Version 0.8 (pre-alpha)", Nov 10, 2009. Superceded by MCS0026. MCS0021 S. Ellingson, "MCS/Scheduler Software Version 0.4 (pre-alpha)", Nov 7, 2009. (Start with readme.txt in archive.) MCS0020 C. Wolfe, S. Ellingson & C. Patterson, "Interface Control Document for Monitor and Control System Data Recorder", Oct 10, 2009. (Not labeled, but this is Version 0.4.) Superceded by MCS0025. MCS0019 C. Wolfe, S. Ellingson & C. Patterson, "MCS-DR Storage Unit", Sep 23, 2009. M.165, MCS0018 C. Wolfe, S. Ellingson & C. Patterson, "MCS Data Recorder Preliminary Design & Verification", Aug 26, 2009. MCS0017 S. Ellingson, "MCS/Scheduler Software Version 0.3 (pre-alpha)", Aug 25, 2009. (Start with readme.txt in zip file.) MCS0016 S. Ellingson, "MCS/Scheduler Software Version 0.2 (pre-alpha)", Aug 14, 2009. (Start with readme.txt in zip file.) MCS0015 A. Srinivasan and S. Ellingson, Python code for direct communication with subsystems, Aug 7, 2009. MCS0014 S. Ellingson, "MCS/Scheduler Software Version 0.1 (pre-alpha)", Aug 4, 2009. (Start with readme.txt in zip file.) MCS0013 A. Srinivasan and S. Ellingson, "MCS ICD Compliance Check Software", Jul 31, 2009. For checking compliance of subsystems with MCS Common ICD. MCS0012 A. Srinivasan and S. Ellingson, "MCS Common ICD Emulation Software for SHL", Jul 19, 2009; bug fix Aug 7, 2009. SLC0011 S. Ellingson, "Station Level Calibration for LWA-1" (Presentation at LLR), June 1, 2009. MCS0011 S. Ellingson, "MCS Phase 1 Procurement Request", April 19, 2009. MCS0010 S. Ellingson, "MCS Common ICD Demonstration Software", Ver. 2, Apr 4, 2009. (Ver. 1, Mar 30, 2009) MCS0009 S. Ellingson, "MCS Common ICD Network Check Software", Ver. 2, Apr 4, 2009 (Ver. 1, Mar 29, 2009) MCS0008 S. Ellingson, "MCS Documentation for LWA-1 PDR", Ver. 4, Feb 25, 2009. (Ver. 3, Feb 23, 2009; Ver. 2, Feb 6, 2009; Ver. 1, Feb 5, 2009) MCS0007 S. Ellingson, "MCS Architecture", Ver. 4, Nov 7, 2009. (Ver. 3, Feb 25, 2009; Ver. 2, Feb 23, 2009; Ver. 1: Feb 4, 2009) MCS0006 S. Ellingson, "Virginia Tech Input (Responses to Questions Assigned in "January LWA Workshop Agenda Ver. 4", Dec 22, 2008)", Jan 13, 2009. M.149, SLC0010 S. Ellingson, "Performance of Simple Delay-and-Sum Beamforming Without Per-Stand Polarization Corrections for LWA Stations", Jan 5, 2009. Calendar Year 2008 MCS0005 S. Ellingson, "MCS Common ICD", Ver. 1.0, Apr 04, 2009. (Ver. 0.4, Mar 29, 2009; Ver. 0.3, Mar 20, 2009; Ver. 0.2, Feb 23, 2009; Ver. 0.1: Dec 31, 2008) MCS0004 S. Ellingson, "MCS Subsystem Description", Ver. 2, Feb 23, 2009 (Ver. 1: Dec 18, 2008) M.147, SLC0009 S. Ellingson, "Some Initial Results from an Electromagnetic Model of the LWA Station Array", Dec 15, 2008. M.146, MCS0003 S. Ellingson and A. Cohen, "Beam Dwell and Repointing Time Requirements Derived from Memo 128 Considerations", Dec 7, 2008. M.144, MCS0002 S. Ellingson, "Beam Dwell and Repointing", Nov 25, 2008. MCS0001 MCS Communications Interface, Preliminary/Working Draft, Nov 24, 2008. (spreadsheet) M.157 S.W. Ellingson, T.E. Clarke, A. Cohem, N.E. Kassim, Y. Pihlstrom, L. J Rickard, and G.B. Taylor, "The Long Wavelength Array", Proc. IEEE, Vol. 97, No. 8, pp. 1421-1430, Aug 2009. M.142 S. Ellingson, "Sky Noise-Induced Spatial Correlation", Oct 14, 2008. M.141, SLC0007 S. Ellingson, "Interaction Between an Antenna and a Shelter", Sep 25, 2008. Dissertation K. Lee, "Coherent Mitigation of Radio Frequency Interference in 10-100 MHz", Ph.D. Dissertation, Aug 28, 2008. briefing, SLC0006 S.W. Ellingson and N.E. Kassim, "LWA Station Design", 2008 URSI Gen. Assy., Aug 11, 2008. M.140, SLC0005 S. Ellingson, "Polarimetric Response and Calibration of a Single Stand Embedded in an Array with Irregular Wavelength-Scale Spacings", Aug 14, 2008. SLC0004 S. Ellingson, "References Applicable to Station-Level Calibration", July 17, 2008. SLC0003 S. Ellingson, "Suggestions for Experimental Verification of Instrumental Responses", July 2, 2008; Rev. Oct 1, 2008. M.138, SLC0002 S. Ellingson, "Single-Stand Polarimetric Response and Calibration", June 15, 2008. M.136, SLC0001 S. Ellingson, "Dispersion in Coaxial Cables", Jun 01, 2008. M.134 K. Lee and S. Ellingson, "Terrestrial Propagation at LWA Frequencies", May 2, 2008. M.130 J. Craig, M. Harun, and S. Ellingson, "On-the-Air Demonstration of a Prototype LWA Analog Signal Path", Apr 12, 2008. M.129 S. Ellingson, "Interaction Between an Antenna and a Fence", Mar 24, 2008. Briefing S.W. Ellingson, "Station Architecture and Related Issues", LWA Pre-PDR Meeting, Mar 18, 2008. Briefing S.W. Ellingson, "Station Digital Processing", LWA Pre-PDR Meeting, Mar 18, 2008. Briefing S.W. Ellingson, "DAC, MCS, Calibration, RFI, and Communications", LWA Pre-PDR Meeting, Mar 18, 2008. M.127 M. Harun and S. Ellingson, "Design and Development of a Prototype ADC for LWA", Mar 4, 2008. M.121 S. Ellingson, "LWA Analog Signal Path Planning", Jan 23, 2008; Rev. Feb 3, 2008. Calendar Year 2007 M.119 S. Ellingson, "Long Wavelength Array Station Architecture Ver. 1.0", Nov 19, 2007. Note: This is the version approved at SRR. M.116 M. Harun and S. Ellingson, "Additional Design Information on the AD9230-250 and AD9211-200 ADC Evaluation Boards", December 28, 2007. M.115 S. Ellingson, "Dispersion by Antennas", December 11, 2007. M.112 S. Ellingson, M. Harun, and K. Lee, "Evaluation of the AD9230 and AD9211 Analog-to-Digital Converters", December 3, 2007. M.109 S.W. Ellingson, "Transient Buffer - Wideband (TBW) Preliminary Design", November 11, 2007. M.108 S.W. Ellingson, "BFU & DP1 Preliminary Design", November 4, 2007. M.107 S.W. Ellingson, "LWA Beamforming Design Concept", October 30, 2007. M.106 S.W. Ellingson, "Polarization Processing for LWA Stations", October 29, 2007. Briefing S.W. Ellingson, "Status of VT Technical Work", LWA Kickoff and Pre-SRR Meeting, Sep 20, 2007. Briefing S.W. Ellingson, "Path to SRR/PDR", LWA Kickoff and Pre-SRR Meeting, Sep 20, 2007. Briefing S.W. Ellingson, "System Architecture Review", LWA Kickoff and Pre-SRR Meeting, Sep 20, 2007. Briefing S.W. Ellingson, "LWA Technical Concept", LWA Kickoff and Pre-SRR Meeting, Sep 20, 2007. M.101 S. Ellingson, "ADC Sample Rate and Preliminary Design for a Full-RF ADC Post-Processor", September 11, 2007. M.98 S. Ellingson, "ADC Selection", August 31, 2007. M.94 S. Ellingson, "System Parameters Affecting LWA Calibration (Memo 52 Redux)", Jul 20, 2007; Rev. Sep 20, 2007; Rev. Oct 11, 2008. Briefing S. Ellingson, N.E. Kassim, G. Taylor, L. J Rickard, "The Long Wavelength Array", 2007 URSI North American Radio Science Meeting, Jul 2007. M.89 M. Harun and S. Ellingson, "Revision of the Bandpass Filter for the LWA Analog Receiver", May 30, 2007. M.82 M. Harun and S. Ellingson, "A Prototype Analog Receiver for LWA", March 28, 2007. M.75 S. Ellingson, "A Design Study Comparing LWA Station Arrays Consisting of Thin Inverted-V Dipoles", January 28, 2007. M.73 S. Ellingson, "Effective Aperture of a Large Pseudorandom Low-Frequency Dipole Array", Jan 13, 2007. (presented at 2007 IEEE Int'l Ant. & Prop. Symp.) Calendar Year 2006 M.72 Lee J Rickard, G. Taylor, S. Ellingson, and N. Kassim, "The Long Wavelength Array (LWA) Program Charter", Dec 27, 2006; Rev. Jan 8, 2008. M.67 S. Ellingson, "Collecting Area of Planar Arrays of Thin Straight Dipoles", December 31, 2006. M.65 S. Ellingson, "Use of NEC-2 to Calculate Collecting Area", Dec 25, 2006; Rev. Dec 27, 2006. M.63 M. Harun and S.W. Ellingson, "Practical Considerations in the Design of a Bandpass Filter for the LWA Analog Receiver", November 14, 2006. M.61 C.R. Anderson and S.W. Ellingson, "The Analog Devices AD6636 Digital Downconverter as a Candidate LWA Receiver Component", Nov 9, 2006. M.45 S. Ellingson, "A ``Pile of Parts'' Cost Model for LWA Stations", Aug 11, 2006. M.35 P.S. Ray, S. Ellingson, R. Fisher, N.E. Kassim, L. J Rickard, T. Clarke, "A Strawman Design for the Long Wavelength Array Stations", Apr 11, 2006. M.34 P.S. Ray, S. Ellingson, R. Fisher, N.E. Kassim, L.J. Rickard, T. Clarke, "LWA Strawman Design", Apr 11, 2006. Calendar Year 2005 M.33 S.W. Ellingson, "Preliminary Analysis of the Effects of Front End Non-Linearity on LWA/LWDA Spectroscopy", May 16, 2005. M.32 S.W. Ellingson and A. Kerkhoff, "Comparison of Two Candidate Elements for a 30-90 MHz Radio Telescope Array", Jan 2005. (Presented at 2005 IEEE Int'l Ant. and Prop. Symp., Jul 2005) M.31 S.W. Ellingson and T.C. Kramer, "Sensitivity and Bandwidth of Low-Gain Active Antennas Below 100 MHz, Jan 2005 (Presented at 2005 IEEE Int'l Ant. and Prop. Symp., Jul 2005) M.30 S.W. Ellingson, "Analysis of a Low-Gain Antenna & Front End for Low Frequency Radio Astronomy", Nov 9, 2004. M.29 S.W. Ellingson, "Cable Cost for LWA Stations", September 19, 2004. M.28 S.W. Ellingson, "Designing a Sky-Noise-Limited Receiver for the LWA", (Presented at Science with Wavelengths on Human Scales: A Celebration of the 74th Birthday of Bill Erickson and Low Frequency Radio Science, Santa Fe, NM) Sep 2004. M.27 S.W. Ellingson, "Receivers for Low-Frequency Radio Astronomy," in From Clark Lake to the Long Wavelength Array: Bill Erickson's Radio Science (N.E. Kassim, et al. eds.), ASP Conference Series, Vol. 345, p. 321, 2005. M.22 S.W. Ellingson, "Antennas for the Next Generation of Low Frequency Radio Telescopes", IEEE Trans. Ant. and Prop., Vol. 53, No. 8, August 2005, pp. 2480-9. M.18 A. Kerkhoff and S.W. Ellingson, "A Wideband Planar Dipole Antenna for Use in the Long Wavelength Demonstrator Array (LWDA)," 2005 IEEE Int'l Ant. and Prop. Symp., Washington, DC, July 2005, (1B: 553-6).