Warkworth 12-m VLBI Station: WARK12M

TL;DR

This paper describes the technical setup, connectivity, and testing of the new WARK12M VLBI station in New Zealand, preparing it for regular geodetic observations within the IVS network starting in 2011.

Contribution

It provides detailed technical and geographical information about WARK12M and evaluates data transfer protocols for VLBI data transmission.

Findings

UDT protocol outperforms 'tsunami' and 'ftp' in efficiency

WARK12M station is fully operational and ready for IVS sessions

Successful testing of broadband connectivity and data transfer protocols

Abstract

This report summarizes the geodetic VLBI activities in New Zealand in 2010. It provides geographical and technical details of WARK12M - the new IVS network station operated by the Institute for Radio Astronomy and Space Research (IRASR) of Auckland University of Technology (AUT). The details of the VLBI system installed in the station are outlined along with those of the collocated GNSS station. We report on the status of broadband connectivity and on the results of testing data transfer protocols; we investigate UDP protocols such as 'tsunami' and UDT and demonstrate that the UDT protocol is more efficient than 'tsunami' and 'ftp'. In general, the WARK12M IVS network station is fully equipped, connected and tested to start participating in regular IVS observational sessions from the beginning of 2011.