The EISCAT3D_PfP project started with a kick-off meeting and a technical workshop held at EISCAT headquarters in Kiruna. The meeting presentations and discussions were focused on the overall project, its connections to other EISCAT activities, and the present status of the technical design of the EISCAT_3D system.
Consoden AB was signed as the manufacturing consultant contractor for this project. This consultant firm supported the project's procurement by effective interactions with industry and vendors, definition of the procurement strategy and preparation of the tendering documents.
Different approaches in designs for the sub-array beamformer were analysed by considering cost, complexity and power consumption. The design and technical specifications of the critical sub-systems of the EISCAT_3D Test Subrray: the Antenna Unit (AU), the First Stage Receiver Unit (FSRU) and the Pulse and Steering Control Unit (PSCU) were finalised and an open tendering process started. Contracts were signed with Huber+Suhner for the AU and with National Instruments for the FSRU. For the PSCU, on the other hand, no bidder were within the project budget and hence EISCAT Scientific Assoociation built two limited-capability prototypes in-house to be used in the Test Subarray. In parallel to these activities, the low-level software needed to control the Test Subarray was developed, which also gave insights into the definition of the software architecture of the future full EISCAT_3D system.
In the summer of 2017, the different items of hardware for the Test Subarray were delivered to the EISCAT Ramfjordmoen site, where the Test Subarray was erected and the subsystems were installed. The sub-systems were tested for functionality and to ensure interoperability, and the conclusions from these tests were incorporated in the plans for the construction of the full EISCAT_3D system.
Materials related to the project, including reports and deliverables were published on the dedicated EISCAT_3D website. A quarterly newsletter was also published, presenting the progression of the project progression and containing up-to-date information. The project was made visible through participation at various relevant conferences and workshops, and through interaction with media when the opportunity arose. The general public was also reached through coverage in Swedish national radio and regional TV, and in contacts with students at local schools.
