Chromaticity-Optimized Antenna Design and Bayesian Foreground Validation for the CANTAR Global 21 cm Experiment

TL;DR

This paper develops a simulation and analysis framework for optimizing antenna design and validating foreground models to improve detection of the 21 cm signal from reionization, emphasizing site selection and Bayesian validation techniques.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive framework combining antenna optimization, site evaluation, and Bayesian validation to enhance global 21 cm experiments.

Findings

Optimized antenna designs show improved spectral smoothness in 70-120 MHz.

Mid-latitude sites (-40° to +5°) are identified as optimal for foreground suppression.

Bayesian analysis indicates the EDGES data is consistent only when excluding the 21 cm absorption feature.

Abstract

Detecting the global 21 cm signal from the epoch of reionization remains a major observational challenge due to bright foregrounds and instrumental systematics. As part of the Colombian Antarctic Telescopes for 21 cm Absorption during Reionization (CANTAR) initiative, we present a simulation and analysis framework to evaluate antenna chromaticity, optimize instrument design, and assess site suitability for global 21 cm experiments. Using frequency-dependent beam models and Haslam-based sky maps, we compute dynamic spectra for the EDGES blade dipole and a set of dipole and novel monopole antennas optimized via particle swarm optimization. The optimized designs exhibit improved spectral smoothness compared to EDGES, particularly in the 70-120 MHz range. We also evaluate latitude-dependent sky brightness and identify mid-latitude sites (-40{\deg} to +5{\deg}) as optimal for foreground suppression. We apply Bayesian inference together with posterior predictive model validation to the publicly released EDGES data, assessing statistical consistency rather than hypothesis testing or model comparison. We find that physically motivated foreground and ionospheric models are statistically consistent with the data only when a 21 cm absorption feature is excluded. From the validated posterior, we generate a statistically validated ensemble of foreground corrections for use in beam-sky simulations. These results support a two-phase strategy for CANTAR: Antarctic deployments for calibration and testing, and future science operations at mid-latitude sites. Our framework provides a validated path toward robust foreground modeling, antenna design, and systematics control for global 21 cm signal detection.