VLBI of the Communications Research Laboratory
Abstract
The Communications Research Laboratory has four antennas dedicated to VLBI observations, the diameters are 3 m, 10 m, 26 m, and 34 m. The two largest antennas, 26 m and 34 m, are used mainly for international VLBI experiments: geodesy, earth rotation study, and radio astronomy. The 3-m antenna and the 10-m antenna are used for domestic geodesy VLBI experiments. The 26-m antenna of the Kashima Space Research Center has S/X band receivers and has been used for international VLBI experiments since 1984. The 3-m antenna, which is the world smallest VLBI station, was developed for mobile experiments. The 10-m antenna at Marcus Island and the 34-m antenna at Kashima were completed in 1988. They are key stations in the Western Pacific VLBI network for monitoring tectonic plate motion around Japan. The surface accuracy of the 34-m antenna is 0.17 mm (rms). This enables it to be used at millimeter wavelengths. Ten low-noise radio astronomy frequency-band receivers from 300 MHz to 43 GHz are installed on the antenna. This paper describes the performance of CRL's VLBI antennas and gives details of the new 34-m antenna system including a new antenna pointing calibration method for medium-sized antennas.
- Publication:
-
Communications Research Laboratory Journal
- Pub Date:
- November 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991CRLJ...38..417T
- Keywords:
-
- Amplification;
- Cassegrain Antennas;
- Radio Antennas;
- Radio Receivers;
- Reflector Antennas;
- Very Long Base Interferometry;
- Antenna Feeds;
- Antenna Radiation Patterns;
- Parametric Amplifiers;
- Pointing Control Systems;
- Superhigh Frequencies;
- Communications and Radar