The MeerKAT+ project will extend the MeerKAT array by SKAMID telescopes with SKA Band 2 and S-Band receivers, and a new MeerKAT correlator. The we try to provide information on the properties of the new equipment and observing modes.
current MeerKAT specifications
MeerKAT+ specifications
– L-band – MeerKAT receiver [ 900 – 1670 MHz] ; SKA Band 2 [950 – 1760 MHz] frequency ranges
– S-band – MPIfR receivers with S0 [1750 – 2625 MHz], S1 [1968 – 2843 MHz], S2 [2187 – 3062 MHz], S3 [2406 – 3281 MHz], S4 [2625 – 3500 MHz] frequency ranges sub-bands
– Observing mode – [any 64] would allow to use the MeerKAT correlator and any of the MeerKAT+ telescopes or [all-80] would allow to use the MeerKAT+ correlator and all the MeerKAT+ telescopes.
– MeerKAT+ Correlator specifications – [any-64] all modes are available and for [all-80] no windowing, integration time [2s], channel [8K]
– Data rates – [all-80] comparable to MK 32 of ~ 2 TB/hr @ 8s in full Stokes; for MK+ = 8k @ 4s (2s) ~ 0.8 (1.6) x MK 32k @ 8s
– Antenna diameter [illuminated]- MeerKAT antenna 13.965 m and SKAMID antenna 15.333 m
– Tsys – Tsys_L/eta_ap ~ 22 K and Tsys_S/eta_ap ~ 22 K
– SEFD MeerKAT antenna [L-Band and S-Band] average SEFD_MK_L = 426 Jy [frequency dependent information] and average SEFD_MK_S = 495 Jy [frequency dependent information]
– SEFD SKAMID antenna – SEFD_SKA_L = 0.7332 * SEFD_MK_L and SEFD_SKA_S = 0.7332 * SEFD_MK_S
– Image sensitivity – Please assume 60 MeerKAT and 13 SKAMID antenna for sensitivity calculation [recipe to determine the image sensitivity of the heterogenous MeerKATplus array]
– Factor 2 higher angular resolution – maximum baseline 17 km, MeerKAT+ antennas positions and for reference the SKA-MPG (SKAMPI) antenna position
