Engineering Project Outlines

Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy offers two streams of engineering projects

Astronomical instrumentation & signal processing

PROJECT	SUPERVISOR
Electromagnetic propagation in mining and regional environments	Prof. David Davidson
Polarization calibration on low-frequency radio telescopes	Dr Adrian Sutinjo	APPLY HERE
The Signal Processing of fast radio bursts	Dr Adrian Sutinjo	APPLY HERE

This project builds on existing success in the development of hardware and software systems for astrophysics-focused radio astronomy systems, and adds new scope with support for an EoR Global Signal science program, and RFI mitigation program.

This project continues support SKA1-Low verification and commissioning by contributing to data collection, analysis and interpretation from the SKA-Low prototypes as part of the larger international consortium. This activity is working in closely with the E2 program, which includes detailed understanding of the antenna systems. This project will continue to make use of the CIRA Engineering laboratory.

Radio frequency front-ends

PROJECT	SUPERVISOR
Metasurfaces for radio telescopes Engineering	Prof. David Davidson	APPLY HERE

This project builds on existing success in the prototyping, validation and verification of SKA-Low demonstrator arrays. The highest priority of this project is to support SKA1-Low by providing simulation, measurement, analysis and by developing tools to characterise key performance parameters of a low-frequency aperture array. The project collaborates closely with E1 in ensuring that radio astronomy instrumentation effects are well understood and the results and tools are clearly documented and efficiently implemented.

The radio-frequency laboratory has been an integral part of SKA precursor and prototyping verification since the start of CIRA. This project will continue to ensure that the laboratory capabilities are well-maintained and stand ready to perform critical measurements for SKA1-Low. The combination of experience, skill set and equipment will continue to develop to meet the demands of SKA1-Low as well as to position CIRA to capture new opportunities in space science, satellite communications, space situational awareness and defence.