In this paper, we introduce the performance evaluation and development of Raw VLBI Data Buffer(RVDB) system for the synchronized playback processing of observed data in Korea-Japan Joint VLBI Correlator(KJJVC). The high-speed correlation processing system is under development so that the radio data obtained with 8192 channels and 8 Gbps speed from 16 stations will be able to be processed. When the recorded data of each station are played to correlator, the time synchronization of each station is very important because the correlator should process the data obtained with same time and condition. There are many types of recorder systems in the East Asia VLBI Network (EAVN). Therefore it is required to prepare the special time synchronized playback processing system to synchronize the time tag of observed data. The developed RVDB system consists of Data Input Output(DIO), 10GbE switch, and Disk Data Buffer(DDB). It can record the data with maximum 2 Gbps speed, and can play back the data to correlator with nominal 2 Gbps speed. To enable to play back the data of different playback system to the correlator, we developed the high-speed time synchronized playback processing system. We carried out the experiments of playing back and correlation for gigabit correlator and VCS trial product so as to confirm the performance of developed time synchronized playback processing system. In case of online and offline playing back experiment for gigabit correlator, we confirmed that the online and offline correlation results were the same. In case of playing back experiment for VCS trial product, we verified that the wide band and narrow band correlation results were also the same. Through the playing back experiments of RVDB system, the effectiveness of developed RVDB system was verified. In this paper, the system design, construction and experimental results are shown briefly.

A software simulator is developed for verifying the VLBI Correlation Subsystem (VCS) trial product hardware. This software simulator includes the delay tracking, fringe rotation, bit-jump, FFT analysis, re-quantization, and auto/cross-correlation functions so as to confirm the function of the VCS trial product hardware. To verify the effectiveness of the developed software simulator, we carried out experiments using the simulation data which is a mixed signal with white noise and tone signal generated by software. We confirmed that the performance of this software simulator is similar as that of the hardware system. In case of spectral analysis and re-quantization experiment, a serious problem of the VCS hardware, which is not enough for expressing the data stream of FFT results specified in VCS hardware specification, was found by this software simulator. Through the experiments, the performance of software simulator was verified to be efficient. In future, we will improve and modify the function of software simulator to be used as a software correlator of Korea-Japan Joint VLBI Correlator (KJJVC).

In this paper, we describe the proposed KVN (Korean VLBI Network) clock system in order to make the observation of the VLBI effectively. In general, the GPS system is widely used for the time information in the single dish observation. In the case of VLBI observation, a very high precise frequency standard is needed to perform the observation in accordance with the observation frequency using the radio telescope with over 100km distance. The objective of the high precise clock system is to insert the time-tagging information to the observed data and to synchronize it with the same clock in overall equipments which used in station. The AHM (Active Hydrogen Maser) and clock system are basically used as a frequency standard equipments at VLBI station. This system is also adopted in KVN. The proposed KVN clock system at each station consists of the AHM, GPS time comparator, standard clock system, time distributor, and frequency standard distributor. The basic experiments were performed to check the AHM system specification and to verify the effectiveness of implemented KVN clock system. In this paper, we briefly introduce the KVN clock system configuration and experimental results.

In this paper, we introduce the performance test results of digital data processing system for KVN (Korean VLBI Network). The digital data processing system for KVN consists of DAS (Data Acquisition System) and high-speed recorder which called Mark5B system. DAS system performs the digitalization of analog radio signal through ADS-1000 gigabit sampler with 1 Gsps/2-bit and process the digital filtering of digital signal. Mark5B system records the output data of DFB (Digital Filter Bank) with about 1 Gbps. In this paper, we carried out the preliminary evaluation experiments of the KVN digital data processing system connected between DAS system and Mark5B with VSI (VLBI Standard Interface) interface which is designed for compatible in each VLBI system. We first performed all of the KVN digital data processing system connected by VSI interface in the world. In factory inspection phase, we found that the DAS system has a memory read/write error in DSM (Digital Spectrometer) by analyzing the recorded data in Mark5B system. We confirmed that the DSM memory error has been correctly solved by comparing DSM results with Mark5B results. The effectiveness of KVN digital data processing system has been verified through the preliminary experiments such as data transmission, recording with VSI interface connection and data analysis between DSM and Mark5B system. In future work, we will perform the real astronomical observation by using the KVN 21m radio telescopes so as to verify its stability and performance.

In this paper, we describe the radio astronomical data processing system implementation using Mark5B and its development. KASI(Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute) is constructing the KVN (Korean VLBI Network) until the end of 2007, which is the first VLBI(Very Long Baseline Interferometery) facility in Korea and dedicated for the mm-wave VLBI observation. KVN will adopt the DAS (Data Acquisition System) consisting of digital filter with various function and 1Gsps high-speed sampler to digitize the radio astronomical data for analyzing on the digital filter system. And the analyzed data will be recorded to recorder up to 1Gbps data rates. To test this, we have implemented the system which is able to process 1Gbps data rates and carried out the data recording experiment.

In this paper, we propose a small-scale Gigabit VLBI observing system for the Korean VLBI Network (KVN) under construction. The system consists of high-speed sampler, IP-VLBI board, PC-VSI board, and software correlator. Radio signal received by receiver is sampled by high-speed sample. at 1 Gsps (Gigabit sample per second) rate with 2 bits quantization. The digitized signal is recorded in PC and the software correlator does the cross correlation. IP-VLBI board will be used for the geodesy VLBI observation, while PC-VSI board is for the astronomical VLBI observation. The PC-VSI board adopts the VSI-H (VLBI Standard Interface Hardware). The proposed system is based on commercial PCs and therefore can be built inexpensively.

e-VLBI was invented to enhance the efficiency of VLBI (Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry) system by transmitting the data via high speed network. Korean VLBI Network (KVN) has a plan to construct e-VLBI system named e-KVN. High speed backbone network and efficient network model are essential to implement successful e-VLBI system. This paper introduces a network model based on PC cluster technology. The present status of high speed backbone network in Korea is overviewed. We suggest that the network link via Korea Advanced Research Network (KOREN) is one of feasible way for e-KVN. We also describe the principles of e-VLBI and protocol for network transmission such as VSI-E (VLBI Standard Interface - Electronic), RTP (Real-Time Transport Protocol) and RTCP (Real-Time Transport Control protocol).

In the past, radio astronomers have sought isolation from man-made signals by placing their telescopes in remote locations. These measures may no longer safeguard scientific observations, since NGSO satellite systems, particularly low-Earth orbit (LEO) systems, are usually designed to provide global or wide regional coverage. Further, radio astronomers have historically made their observations in the frequency bands allocated for their use by the member countries of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The science of radio astronomy could be adversely impacted by the deployment of large constellations of new non-geostationary orbiting (NGSO) satellites for telecommunications, navigation and Earth observation, and the proliferation of new, high-power broadcasting and telecommunication satellites in geostationary (GSO) orbits. Radio telescopes are extremely sensitive, and, in certain situations, signals from satellites can overwhelm the signals from astronomical sources. This paper describes the problem in detail and identifies ways to mitigate it without adversely affecting the continued vigorous growth of commercial space-based telecommunications.

This paper describes the digital back-end system for getting the data to analyze the user observation mode by digitalize the analog data after receiving the space radio using the radio telescope, The received analog data will be digitalized by high-speed sampler with 1 Gsps for 4 channel frequency band of millimeter wave, and the digital data will be transported through the fiber-optic digital transmission system and WDM(wavelength division multiplex) to observation building, The wideband digital FIR(Finite Impulse Response) filters analyze the data for user observation mode to record the data in high-speed recorder with 1 Gbps. In this paper, we introduce the overall system configuration and features combined by various information and communication technology in radio astronomy briefly, which will be adopted by KVN(Korean VLBI Network).

In this paper, we describe a principle of the atomic frequency standard and clock system in VLBI(Very Long Baseline Interferometry). The hydrogen maser is a usual VLBI standard. During VLBI observations, signals emitted by distant sources of radio frequency energy(quasars) are received and recorded at several antennas. At each antenna(VLBI station), a very stable frequency standard(hydrogen maser) provides a reference signal which enables time-tagging to the quasar signals as they are being recorded on magnetic tapes or hard-disk modules. For each VLBl experiment, correlation of the time-tagged recorded information between the participating antennas is used to yield the arrival time differences of any specific quasar radio wave between the antennas. These time differences are used to calculate the relative antennas to each other. In this paper, we also introduce the KVN(Korean VLBI Network) atomic frequency standard and clock system.