Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RADIOBLOCKS (New science in Radio Astronomy: applying cutting-edge technology to enhance the entire data chain, from receiver to final output.)
Reporting period: 2023-03-01 to 2024-02-29
The RADIOBLOCKS project is a collaborative effort aimed at enhancing Europe's standing in radio astronomy research by uniting leading institutes responsible for Europe's top research infrastructures in radio astronomy, alongside partners from industry and academia. The project's goal is to develop innovative building blocks beyond the state of the art, designed to address shared challenges identified by research infrastructures within radio astronomy. By enabling a diverse range of new scientific discoveries, these solutions will foster collaboration and strengthen European scientific competitiveness across the field.
RADIOBLOCKS involves 32 partners and is divided into 5 work packages, carrying out carefully targeted development work and addressing common aspects throughout the entire data chain.
One of the main objectives of the project is to develop new components essential for sensitive, wideband receivers used in European research infrastructures. Additionally, the project focuses on developing digital receivers that will improve crucial technology areas such as system temperature, bandwidth, and field-of-view. Another key focus is on data transport and correlation, to provide efficient signal processing tools. Commercially available technology will be used to this end. Furthermore, the project aspires to offer a modular and open-source data processing toolkit, enabling swift, reproducible, and scalable analysis of large-volume data products.
Addressing challenges such as sensitivity, power usage, and the mitigation of radio frequency interference are among the project’s primary goals. So is the creation of a European technology toolbox that astronomers can use across various instruments—from single-dish telescopes to global dish arrays—to achieve groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
RADIOBLOCKS involves 32 partners and is divided into 5 work packages, carrying out carefully targeted development work and addressing common aspects throughout the entire data chain.
One of the main objectives of the project is to develop new components essential for sensitive, wideband receivers used in European research infrastructures. Additionally, the project focuses on developing digital receivers that will improve crucial technology areas such as system temperature, bandwidth, and field-of-view. Another key focus is on data transport and correlation, to provide efficient signal processing tools. Commercially available technology will be used to this end. Furthermore, the project aspires to offer a modular and open-source data processing toolkit, enabling swift, reproducible, and scalable analysis of large-volume data products.
Addressing challenges such as sensitivity, power usage, and the mitigation of radio frequency interference are among the project’s primary goals. So is the creation of a European technology toolbox that astronomers can use across various instruments—from single-dish telescopes to global dish arrays—to achieve groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
Throughout the first period, collaborative efforts across the project’s work packages have led to significant advancements in radio astronomy instrumentation and technology. The focus has been on enhancing research infrastructures and observatories through the development of essential components and tools.
Considerable progress has been achieved in developing building block prototypes to be used across different research infrastructures. This process involved careful optimisation and preparation, setting the stage for future advancements in radio astronomy instrumentation.
The establishment of a European technology toolbox marks another important step forward. This toolbox empowers astronomers with adaptable solutions across various instruments.
Significant headway has also been achieved with the development of new correlators tailored to the needs of key research infrastructures. Leveraging cutting-edge accelerator hardware and close collaboration with industrial partners, common building blocks for these correlators have been created. These blocks efficiently exploit powerful new commercially available accelerator hardware (GPUs).
Lastly, key software tools have been developed to facilitate data processing and analysis.
Considerable progress has been achieved in developing building block prototypes to be used across different research infrastructures. This process involved careful optimisation and preparation, setting the stage for future advancements in radio astronomy instrumentation.
The establishment of a European technology toolbox marks another important step forward. This toolbox empowers astronomers with adaptable solutions across various instruments.
Significant headway has also been achieved with the development of new correlators tailored to the needs of key research infrastructures. Leveraging cutting-edge accelerator hardware and close collaboration with industrial partners, common building blocks for these correlators have been created. These blocks efficiently exploit powerful new commercially available accelerator hardware (GPUs).
Lastly, key software tools have been developed to facilitate data processing and analysis.
The progress made in the RADIOBLOCKS project during this period indicates it is on its way to exceeding current standards in radio astronomy instrumentation and technology.
Key components for the analog signal chain have been thoroughly investigated, simulated, and are now in the manufacturing phase, promising enhanced capabilities for research infrastructures and observatories.
Moreover, initiatives to expand spectral coverage for interstellar chemistry studies and collaborative efforts to enhance wide-field imaging highlight the potential impact of RADIOBLOCKS developments on the broader scientific community.
The project’s advancements in high-performance computing will benefit the radio astronomical community and position European researchers in leading roles within global collaborations.
The involvement of industry partners further enhances the project's impact by contributing to the development of essential hardware components, as evidenced by several successful prototypes developed and manufactured during this period.
Through the project, the training of the next generation of engineers and scientists ensures the dissemination of knowledge and continued innovation in the field. To ensure further progress, continued support for research, demonstration, and access to markets is essential.
Additionally, fostering international collaboration and supportive regulatory frameworks will enable the adoption of RADIOBLOCKS technologies by existing infrastructures.
Key components for the analog signal chain have been thoroughly investigated, simulated, and are now in the manufacturing phase, promising enhanced capabilities for research infrastructures and observatories.
Moreover, initiatives to expand spectral coverage for interstellar chemistry studies and collaborative efforts to enhance wide-field imaging highlight the potential impact of RADIOBLOCKS developments on the broader scientific community.
The project’s advancements in high-performance computing will benefit the radio astronomical community and position European researchers in leading roles within global collaborations.
The involvement of industry partners further enhances the project's impact by contributing to the development of essential hardware components, as evidenced by several successful prototypes developed and manufactured during this period.
Through the project, the training of the next generation of engineers and scientists ensures the dissemination of knowledge and continued innovation in the field. To ensure further progress, continued support for research, demonstration, and access to markets is essential.
Additionally, fostering international collaboration and supportive regulatory frameworks will enable the adoption of RADIOBLOCKS technologies by existing infrastructures.