The Expanded Very Large Array

TL;DR

The paper discusses the upgrade of the Very Large Array into the Expanded Very Large Array, significantly enhancing its sensitivity, frequency coverage, and data processing capabilities to better serve astronomical research.

Contribution

It introduces the design and planned implementation of the EVLA, a major technological upgrade to the VLA with new receivers, data systems, and software for improved performance.

Findings

Enhanced sensitivity and frequency coverage from 1 to 50 GHz.

New digital correlator with increased bandwidth and channels.

Improved ease of use with updated control systems.

Abstract

In almost 30 years of operation, the Very Large Array (VLA) has proved to be a remarkably flexible and productive radio telescope. However, the basic capabilities of the VLA have changed little since it was designed. A major expansion utilizing modern technology is currently underway to improve the capabilities of the VLA by at least an order of magnitude in both sensitivity and in frequency coverage. The primary elements of the Expanded Very Large Array (EVLA) project include new or upgraded receivers for continuous frequency coverage from 1 to 50 GHz, new local oscillator, intermediate frequency, and wide bandwidth data transmission systems to carry signals with 16 GHz total bandwidth from each antenna, and a new digital correlator with the capability to process this bandwidth with an unprecedented number of frequency channels for an imaging array. Also included are a new monitor and control system and new software that will provide telescope ease of use. Scheduled for completion in 2012, the EVLA will provide the world research community with a flexible, powerful, general-purpose telescope to address current and future astronomical issues.