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MMA Memo #156

What Fourier Plane Coverage is Right for the MMA?

M.A. Holdaway [1]

July 9, 1996

Keywords: configurations, Fourier plane coverage, UV coverage, ring array, filled array, sensitivity, Fourier plane tapering

Simulations of various abstract Fourier plane distributions indicates that a moderately centrally condensed (u,v) coverage has much better noise characteristics upon tapering than a uniform (u,v) coverage, but still maintains a very nearly Gaussian beam. To achieve the same untapered resolution, an array with centrally condensed (u,v) coverage will require maximum baselines which are about 25-35% longer than the maximum baselines in an array with uniform (u,v) coverage. Due to the larger sidelobes of its synthesized beam, images produced from a uniform Fourier plane distribution may have lower dynamic range than images produced from an intrinsically tapered Fourier plane distribution, though preliminary results are conflicting. The largest three out of four MMA configurations are currently designed to be some sort of ring, either an ellipse or a Reuleaux triangle, which will result in approximately uniform Fourier plane coverage. I argue that we should consider a moderately centrally condensed Fourier plane distribution for all of the MMA configurations, with the possible exception of the largest array.

[1] NRAO/TUC


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Last modified: 09 December, 1999

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