From May 30 to June 6, representatives of the Engineering Research Institute „Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre” of Ventspils University College participated in the “RF Development” training program (ASTRON Training Week 1) organized by the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON), which was implemented in the project “Building on Advanced Lofar Technology for Innovation, Collaboration, and Sustainability” (BALTICS).
The training was led by 5 professors from ASTRON – Roel Witwers, Jürgen Morawietz, Wim van Cappellen, David Prinsloo and Jan Geralt bij de Vaate. The representatives of the Ventspils University College (VUC) supplemented the existing theoretical knowledge of radio frequency equipment and radio systems, the operation principles of the radio telescope LOFAR (LOw Frequency ARray), repeated and acquired new knowledge in the theory of antennas, and developed high-frequency equipment design skills and practical skills in working with high-frequency frequency measuring equipment, performing measurements of radio equipment parameters in the radio measuring laboratory.
The participants were provided with a tour of the LOFAR antenna fields and the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope. In the LOFAR antenna complex, the ASTRON representative introduced the employees of the VUC to the nodes in operation at the LOFAR stations and their operating principles.
On the other hand, in the territory of the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope, the VeA employees had the opportunity to view the modernized Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope with focal plane irradiator APERTIF, see some of its nodes and learn the principles of their operation, as well as see the next-generation radio telescope EMBRACE (Electronic Multi-Beam Radio Astronomy ConcEpt) of which is based on the electronic formulation of an observation line analogue to the radio telescope LOFAR and the focal plane irradiator APERTIF.
The next training cycle within the project will take place from August 29th until September 2nd, 2016 at Engineering Research Institute „Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre” of Ventspils University College. The training cycle will be run by 4 experts from the University of Manchester.
