This report examines the designs for two possible data links for IF signal transfer from the ALMA antennas to the data correlator. The first design is for the case where the correlator is located on the array site. The second design is for the case where the correlator is located at or near San Pedro, perhaps some 70km away, by fibre, from the array site.
The main focus of the report is the technical feasibility or otherwise of the options. The report also provides some of the information from which the better option, from a systems point of view, can be selected. No estimates of costs are provided. Proper costings will be provided in a forthcoming companion report together with recommendations of actual components. This part of the whole is being released so that the ALMA community can assess the technical arguments which justify a necessary but modest increase in costs for IF data transfer.
View a pdf version of ALMA Memo #349.
Download a postscript version of ALMA Memo #349.
Last modified: March 05, 2001
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