Phase synchronization system receiver module for the mid-frequency Square Kilometre Array

Abstract

Next-generation radio telescopes, such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA), require precise microwave frequency reference signals to be transmitted over fiber links to each dish to coherently sample astronomical signals. Such telescopes employ phase stabilization systems to suppress the phase noise imparted on the reference signals by environmental perturbations on the links; however, the stabilization systems are bandwidth limited by the round-trip time of light traveling on the fiber links. A phase-locked receiver module (RM) is employed on each dish to suppress residual phase noise outside the round-trip bandwidth. The SKA RM must deliver a 3.96-GHz output signal with 4 MHz of tuning range and <100 fs of timing jitter. We present an RM architecture to meet both requirements. Analytical modeling of the RM predicts 30 fs of output jitter when the reference signal is integrated between 1 Hz and 2.8 GHz. The proposed RM was conceived with best practice electromagnetic compatibility in mind and to meet size, weight, and power requirements for the SKA dish indexer. As the ngVLA reference design also incorporates a round-trip phase stabilization system, this RM may be applicable to future ngVLA design.