D3A Terms and Acronyms

Term Acronym Definition

Beam cut A one-dimensional slice through a two-dimensional radiation pattern, for example with constant θ (see "Coordinate System" below for definition of θ). Common beam cuts are E-, D-, and H-planes (see below). Within each beam cut the co- and cross-polarized response can be measured.

Beam deviation factor BDF The relation between the offset angle of a feed and the angular offset of the beam. For a flat plat reflector the angles are the same but for curved surfaces they are not. Ref.: Lo, 1960

Blockhouse A cinder-block building near the middle of the Synthesis Telescope array. This building houses the control electronics for the ST with digital electronics inside a screened room.

CFI Canadian Foundation for Innovation

CHORD

Co-polarization The polarization that the antenna is intended to radiate/receive. Commonly-used polarizations are linear and circular. Ref.: IEEE Standard Definitions of Terms for Antennas

Coordinate System

A right-handed spherical coordinate system used. Usually the boresight of the telescope beam is aligned along the z axis. Reference

Cross-polarization The polarization orthogonal to the co-polarization.

D3A Deep Dish Demonstrator Array

D-plane For a linearly polarized antenna, the plane at 45° to the E- and H-planes. Cross-polarization is usually largest in this plane.

Drift scan A method for measuring a beam cut through a telescope beam by leaving the telescope stationary and allowing a radio source to pass through the beam.

E-plane For a linearly polarized antenna, the plane containing the electric field vector and the direction of maximum radiation. Ref.: IEEE Standard Definitions of Terms for Antennas

FM3 "Flux Monitor 3"; solar flux monitor telescope north of the Synthesis Telescope track.

GRASP General Reflector Antenna Simulation Program. An electromagnetic simulation program designed for the analysis of multi-surface reflector antennas using Physical Optics and the Physical Theory of Diffraction.

HIRAX

Holography A process where the 2-dimensional complex radiation pattern of an antenna is measured and then Fourier transformed to obtain the field distribution across the aperture. This is often used to determine distortions of reflector surfaces. Ref.: Rahmat-Samii 1984

H-plane For a linearly polarized antenna, the plane containing the magnetic field vector and the direction of maximum radiation. Ref.: IEEE Standard Definitions of Terms for Antennas

Synthesis Telescope ST An East-West seven-element interferometer at DRAO which observes at 408 MHz and 1.42 GHz.

Term	Acronym	Definition
Beam cut		A one-dimensional slice through a two-dimensional radiation pattern, for example with constant θ (see "Coordinate System" below for definition of θ). Common beam cuts are E-, D-, and H-planes (see below). Within each beam cut the co- and cross-polarized response can be measured.
Beam deviation factor	BDF	The relation between the offset angle of a feed and the angular offset of the beam. For a flat plat reflector the angles are the same but for curved surfaces they are not. Ref.: Lo, 1960
Blockhouse		A cinder-block building near the middle of the Synthesis Telescope array. This building houses the control electronics for the ST with digital electronics inside a screened room.
	CFI	Canadian Foundation for Innovation
	CHORD
Co-polarization		The polarization that the antenna is intended to radiate/receive. Commonly-used polarizations are linear and circular. Ref.: IEEE Standard Definitions of Terms for Antennas
Coordinate System		A right-handed spherical coordinate system used. Usually the boresight of the telescope beam is aligned along the z axis. Reference
Cross-polarization		The polarization orthogonal to the co-polarization.
	D3A	Deep Dish Demonstrator Array
D-plane		For a linearly polarized antenna, the plane at 45° to the E- and H-planes. Cross-polarization is usually largest in this plane.
Drift scan		A method for measuring a beam cut through a telescope beam by leaving the telescope stationary and allowing a radio source to pass through the beam.
E-plane		For a linearly polarized antenna, the plane containing the electric field vector and the direction of maximum radiation. Ref.: IEEE Standard Definitions of Terms for Antennas
	FM3	"Flux Monitor 3"; solar flux monitor telescope north of the Synthesis Telescope track.
	GRASP	General Reflector Antenna Simulation Program. An electromagnetic simulation program designed for the analysis of multi-surface reflector antennas using Physical Optics and the Physical Theory of Diffraction.
	HIRAX
Holography		A process where the 2-dimensional complex radiation pattern of an antenna is measured and then Fourier transformed to obtain the field distribution across the aperture. This is often used to determine distortions of reflector surfaces. Ref.: Rahmat-Samii 1984
H-plane		For a linearly polarized antenna, the plane containing the magnetic field vector and the direction of maximum radiation. Ref.: IEEE Standard Definitions of Terms for Antennas
Synthesis Telescope	ST	An East-West seven-element interferometer at DRAO which observes at 408 MHz and 1.42 GHz.

-- WayneGretzsky - 2019-03-27