Analog Optical RF-Links for Large Radio Telescopes

Abstract

Radio astronomy faces very specific, systematic and environmental challenges regarding signal transport from individual antenna elements to the signal processing station. Here we present how with analog optical links these requirements can be met, specifically for the low-frequency receiver of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which will be the world's largest radio telescope when finished. It will comprise more than 100'000 individual antennas, which need to be connected over a distance of up to 10 kilometers.