Science with an ngVLA: The ngVLA Reference Design

TL;DR

The paper presents the technical overview and baseline design of the ngVLA, a next-generation radio observatory with 244 large antennas operating at centimeter wavelengths, aimed at advancing astronomical research.

Contribution

It provides the Reference Design for the ngVLA, detailing system components and serving as a basis for technical readiness and cost assessments.

Findings

Design specifications for 244 18-meter antennas

Conceptual overview of receiver electronics and signal processing

Baseline for technical readiness and cost estimation

Abstract

The next-generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) is an astronomical observatory planned to operate at centimeter wavelengths (25 to 0.26 centimeters, corresponding to a frequency range extending from 1.2 to 116 GHz). The observatory will be a synthesis radio telescope constituted of approximately 244 reflector antennas each of 18 meters diameter, and 19 reflector antennas each of 6 meters diameter, operating in a phased or interferometric mode. We provide a technical overview of the Reference Design of the ngVLA. This Reference Design forms a baseline for a technical readiness assessment and the construction and operations cost estimate of the ngVLA. The concepts for major system elements such as the antenna, receiving electronics, and central signal processing are presented.