The Future of the European VLBI Network

TL;DR

This paper outlines a roadmap for the future of the European VLBI Network, emphasizing technological advancements like e-VLBI, and discusses how these innovations can enhance scientific capabilities and integration with SKA developments.

Contribution

It presents a comprehensive plan for upgrading the EVN with new technologies, positioning it as a platform for innovation and collaboration in the era of SKA.

Findings

Introduction of e-VLBI for new scientific capabilities

Development of a next-generation correlator for larger data rates

Potential for cost-effective, frequency agile antennas

Abstract

Guided by the recently published science case for the future of European VLBI, EVN2015, a roadmap for the future of the EVN is sketched out in this paper. The various desired technical improvements are being discussed with an emphasis on the role of e-VLBI. With this innovation new scientific capabilities are introduced. In this way the EVN is also positioned as an interesting platform for exercising new techniques and operational models, complementary to other SKA pathfinders. In return, the technology development for the SKA can have a positive impact on the scientific capabilities of VLBI, for example on the development of a next generation correlator, capable to process much larger data-rates. The development of cheap, frequency agile antennas can also be of great importance for VLBI. This adds to the potential for maintaining a Northern hemisphere, global VLBI array in the SKA era.