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03-03-2021
LOFAR2.0: DTS ready to rock 'n roll
| Submitter: | Arno Schoenmakers, Mark Ruiter |
| Description: | On Wednesday February 17th some 35 ASTRON engineers involved in LOFAR2.0 development gathered (virtually) for the kickoff of the LOFAR2.0 Dwingeloo Test Station (DTS). The DTS is the next phase in LOFAR2.0 development and aims to fully integrate all newly developed hardware and software for a LOFAR2.0 Station with existing antennas and a LOFAR cabinet, for the first time, in real world circumstances. Coming summer, all elements of DTS should be ready and integrated and serious testing can commence. To speed up testing and bug solving, we plan to have one LOFAR2.0 subrack in the cabinet in the ASTRON backyard, and one in the laboratory in the ASTRON building. Both will be using the new White Rabbit system for absolute timing, and data from the subracks will be sent to DAS6 and/or Cobalt at CEP. The DTS integration phase is important to test the readiness of all newly developed boards, before we can start mass-producing these for the final tests and rollout. We intend to conclude the DTS testing early next year, followed by the DDR. The DTS will then remain available and will serve for testing more Operational aspects, early science and science commissioning and perhaps, as has been proposed at the kickoff meeting, even as an educational platform for students. The DTS team will regularly add news items in a Blog page on Confluence. Keep following this page if you are interested in our progress: https://support.astron.nl/confluence/display/L2M/DTS+NEWS |
| Copyright: | ASTRON |
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