AntConfig version 1.1

28 September 2006

Features of the previous version 1.0 include:

1. Specifying an antenna layout interactively
2. Specify experiment conditions interactively
3. Specifying an ideal point spread function
4. Optimize layout of antenna to achieve the ideal point spread function for the given experiment.
5. Comparing large numbers of layouts interactively.
6. Evaluate performance metrics of the layout for different experiment conditions.

The new release (version 1.1) includes the following new features:

1. Tapering to achieve ideal point spread function (within reason) regardless of layout at the expense of sensitivity
2. Sensitivity performance metric included
3. Automatic evaluation of performance of a layout over a range of experiment conditions

Removed features:

1. Calculation of resolution (not necessary, not accurate, and just adds processing time)
2. fitsio read/write (licensing issues)

Changed functionality:

1. The way the ideal size of the point spread function is specified in the space domain is changed to make its understanding/behaviour more intuitive.

Files included in this distribution:

• AntConfig.exe: executable, main program
• bmp2fits.exe: executable, helps you make, crop, constrast stretch xyz files from bmp or fits files or exchange between file formats.
• cfitsio.dll: a dependency of bmp2fits.exe
• AntConfigTutorial.txt: hands-on tutorial file for beginners (online version here)
• FindKAT.ant: layout file accompanying the tutorial
• antconfig.gls: glossary file
• antconfig.tip: tip file
• KAT site heightmap.1024.1024.xyz: heightmap for KAT site (dx=dy=6.34518m,offx=-437.817m offy=412.437m, latitude=-30.715deg)
• KAT site region.1024.1024.1.xyz: excluded regions for KAT site
• iris.256.256.1.xyz: image file
• m31.256.256.1.xyz: image file
• NGC1316.256.256.1.xyz: image file
• nvss.256.256.1.xyz: image file
• KATsite.ant: some layouts that are being considered
• nnn.2048.1.1.xyz: optimal artificial random sequence