K1EEE Project Argus SETI Radio Telescope

1.0 Introduction

1.1  Purpose

The purpose of this document is to outline the functional system implementation for a small radio telescope to be applied and active with the SETI project known as Project Argus. The Argus project is organized by the SETI League. The project Argus objective is to implement a complete sky monitoring system with simple radio telescopes  to detect electromagnetic (RF) emanations from another radio telescope capable civilization.

1.2  Scope

Outline a  radio telescope system design implementation and component list for a project Argus radio telescope.

This document and it's companion documents should be placed on a website for others to access and apply to their radio telescope systems.

1.3  Definitions, acronyms, and abbreviations

Project Argus -  Project Argus is a privately funded initiative of the non-profit group the SETI League to conduct an all sky survey for signals from other civilizations using small privately funded radio telescopes.

R.F. - Radio Frequency

            SETI – Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence

1.4  Overview

This document outlines each of the system components to be integrated for a project Argus readio Telescope.

1.5  User characteristics

1.5.1 Implementer

            Skilled technician or engineer

1.5.2 Operator

      Patient, organized, analytical, questioning, thorough, consistent.

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1.6  Constraints

Minimize cost, maximize performance

2.0 System Requirements (Review)

See the requirements spec for complete detail of system requirements.

2.1 The system must be designed in a modular manner considering the possibility of system component up grades that permit system improves to keep pace with technology improvements.

2.2 It must be possible to calibrate and verify operation and performance of the system with verification means other than the system itself.

2.3 The system should be capable of  detecting a directed beacon at a distance of 1000 Light years.

2.4 The system shall be capable of unmanned signal detection and logging at all times.

2.5 It shall be possible to position the antenna to any sky coordinates viewable at the site through manual or motorized means with one operator local to the site.

2.6 The system most have signal analysis tools to determine red shift …

2.7 The exact station location latitude and longitude will be determined.

2.8 The antenna aiming coordinates azimuth and elevation will be determined.

2.9 The antenna mount and base system shall be designed to sustain 70 MPH winds with no damage to the system.

2.10 It must be possible to adjust the dish feed phase center.

3.0 System Design

3.1    Antenna

3.1.1 The antenna shall be parabolic, solid, painted white,  3  meters diameter.

3.1.2 The antenna shall have a motorized elevation adjustment which will be remotely controlled. The remote control will have elevation indication in degrees. The indication may be by vernier mounted on the dish  or feedback Elevation control will permit  a quick change to declination settings as desired.

3.1.3 The antenna shall have provisions for manual adjustment of azimuth with a dial indicator or similar device to indicate azimuth setting. The implementation shall not precluded the later introduction of a motorized azimuth setting.

3.2 Receiver ICOM R-7000

3.2.1        The receiver will operate in fixed tune mode USB (Upper sideband) at 1420.40575Mhz (The frequency of the Hydrogen line).

3.2.2        Sensitivity –.3uv for 10db S/N or better.

3.2.3        The receiver shall provide a means to acquire signal data from it. Data must include frequency, signal magnitude, and duration.

3.2.4        The AGC on the R-7000 should be disabled.

3.2.5        Receiver bandwidth – 3Khz min. – 10Khz desirable. Modify the R-7000 receiver bandwidth to 10 Khz if possible.

3.2.6        The system must provide a means to record signals at the monitor frequency which include power spectral density, amplitude vs time, and Doppler shift at the monitoring frequency. The SETIFOX software should be applied.

3.3          Low Noise Amplifier  (LNA)

3.3.1        Amplifier gain @1420 Mhz > 23 db

3.3.2        Reverse isolation > 40 db

3.3.3        Noise temperature > 150K

3.3.4        The LNA shall be installed in a weather proof enclosure

3.3.5        Amplifier output impedance 50 – 75 ohms, should match receiver input impedance.

3.4 Feedline – ½” hardline

3.4.1 The feedline shall be installed in such a way that upgrading to feedline which will provide lower loss shall be readily accomplished.

3.4.2 Performance should be optimized by applying ½” or better hardline.

3.4.2.1  Use 9913 coax from the feed horn to the amplifier and from the amplifier to a Heliax connector within 6 feet.

3.4.2.3 Use 9913 coax from to feed into building and connect to receiver.

3.4.2.2 1/2” hardline, attenuation db / 100ft  @1.0 Ghz = 3.0db, impedance = 50ohms, velocity factor = .66 (1/2” hardline was applied)

3.4.2.2 7/8” hardline, attenuation db / 100ft  @1.0 Ghz = 2.3db, impedance = 50ohms, velocity factor = .66

3.4          Computer

 3.5.1 The computer selected must support the signal acquisition, logging, data archiving, and analysis software selected.

3.5.2 The computer selected must support the physical interface to the receiver.

3.5.3 A local man machine interface for setup of all required software functions must be supported.

3.5.4 A means to export data to other systems for analysis and evaluation is required.

3.5.5 The computer must support time and date stamping.

3.6 Software - SETIFOX

The software selected for the Argus system radio telescope must include:

            3.6.1 Display of signal waveform at the monitored frequency.

3.6.2 View of the frequency spectrum about the monitored frequency

3.6.3 Calculation of the average signal power density at the monitored frequency over time.

3.6.4 It must be possible to determine Doppler shift by showing and or applying the average of correlations of change in signal power distribution.

3.7 Feed Horn – Scalar Feedhorn from Downeast Microwave

3.7.1 A scalar ring feed horn design shall be applied to optimize feed performance for maximum gain or minimum noise temperature.