We present the science case, reference design, and project plan for the Stage-4 ground-based cosmic microwave background experiment CMB-S4.

CMB-S4 Science Case, Reference Design, and Project Plan

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a feed point of a dielectric antenna, electromagnetic waves from a dielectric core coupled to the feed point without an electrical return path, where at least a portion of the dielectric antenna comprises a conductive surface, directing, by the feed point, the electromagnetic waves to a proximal portion of the dielectric antenna, and radiating, via an aperture of the dielectric antenna, a wireless signal responsive to the electromagnetic waves being received at the aperture. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Method and apparatus for coupling an antenna to a device

A distributed antenna and backhaul system provide network connectivity for a small cell deployment. Rather than building new structures, and installing additional fiber and cable, embodiments described herein disclose using high-bandwidth, millimeter-wave communications and existing power line infrastructure. Above ground backhaul connections via power lines and line-of-sight millimeter-wave band signals as well as underground backhaul connections via buried electrical conduits can provide connectivity to the distributed base stations. An overhead millimeter-wave system can also be used to provide backhaul connectivity. Modules can be placed onto existing infrastructure, such as streetlights and utility poles, and the modules can contain base stations and antennas to transmit the millimeter-waves to and from other modules.

Backhaul link for distributed antenna system

A distributed antenna system is provided that frequency shifts the output of one or more microcells to a 60 GHz or higher frequency range for transmission to a set of distributed antennas. The cellular band outputs of these microcell base station devices are used to modulate a 60 GHz (or higher) carrier wave, yielding a group of subcarriers on the 60 GHz carrier wave. This group will then be transmitted in the air via analog microwave RF unit, after which it can be repeated or radiated to the surrounding area. The repeaters amplify the signal and resend it on the air again toward the next repeater. In places where a microcell is required, the 60 GHz signal is shifted in frequency back to its original frequency (e.g., the 1.9 GHz cellular band) and radiated locally to nearby mobile devices.

Remote distributed antenna system

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that facilitates transmitting electromagnetic waves along a surface of a wire that facilitates delivery of electric energy to devices, and sensing a condition that is adverse to the electromagnetic waves propagating along the surface of the wire. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Method and apparatus for sensing a condition in a transmission medium of electromagnetic waves

In previous work, we have described novel smooth-walled multiple flare-angle horns designed using a genetic algorithm. A key feature of these horns is that they can be manufactured very rapidly and cheaply in large numbers, by repeated direct drilling into a single plate of aluminum using a shaped machine tool. The rapid manufacturing technique will enable the construction of very low cost focal-plane arrays, offering an alternative to conventional electroformed corrugated horn arrays. In order to experimentally demonstrate the new technology, we constructed a 230 GHz focal-plane array comprising 37 smooth- walled horns fabricated by direct drilling. We present the measured beam patterns for a large sample of these horns across the array, demonstrating the suitability of our manufacturing techniques for large format arrays. We have measured the cross coupling between adjacent feeds and have shown that it is negligible. We also present high quality beam patterns measured for a much smaller 700 GHz horn, showing the promise of the extending this technology to THz frequencies.

Experimental Investigation of a Low-Cost, High Performance Focal-Plane Horn Array

Context. The use of large-format focal plane imaging arrays employing multiple feed horns is becoming increasingly important for the next generation of single dish sub-mm telescopes and cosmology experiments. Such receivers are being commissioned on both general purpose, common user telescopes and telescopes specifically designed for mapping intensity and polarisation anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Telescopes are currently being constructed to map the CMB polarisation that employ hundreds of feeds and the cost of manufacturing these feeds has become a significant fraction of the total cost of the telescope. Aims. We have developed and manufactured low-cost easy-to-machine smooth-walled horns that have a performance comparable to the more traditional corrugated feed horns that are often used in focal plane arrays. Our horns are much easier to fabricate than corrugated horns enabling the rapid construction of arrays with a large number of horns at a very low cost. Methods. Our smooth walled horns use multiple changes in flare angle to excite higher order waveguide modes. They are designed using a genetic algorithm to optimise the positions and magnitudes of these flare angle discontinuities. We have developed a fully parallelised software suite for the optimisation of these horns. We have manufactured prototype horns by traditional electroforming and also by a new direct drilling technique and we have measured their beam patterns using a far-field antenna test range at 230 GHz. Results. We present simulated and measured far-field beam patterns for one of our horn designs. They exhibit low sidelobe levels, good beam circularity and low cross-polarisation levels over a fractional bandwidth of 20%. These results offer experimental confirmation of our design technique, allowing us to proceed confidently in the optimisation of horns with a wider operational bandwidth. The results also show that the new manufacturing technique using drilling is successful, enabling the fabrication of large format arrays by repeatedly drilling into a single aluminium plate. This will enable the construction of focal plane arrays at a very low cost per horn. Conclusions. We have developed a new type of high performance feed horn that is fast and easy to fabricate. Having demonstrated the efficacy of our horn designs experimentally, we are building and testing a prototype focal plane array of 37 hexagonally close packed horns. This prototype array will be an important step towards building a complete CMB mapping receiver using these feed horns.

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Multiple flare-angle horn feeds for sub-mm astronomy and cosmic microwave background experiments

We describe the design and performance of Potter horns at millimetre and submillimetre wavelength employing a novel software package that we have developed, using Genetic Algorithm. The horn is easy to fabricate and exhibits excellent beam circularity and low cross polarization over a 15% bandwidth which is sufficient for many applications. Excitation of the required higher order modes is done by either a step or a flare discontinuity at the horn throat. In each case we provide design curves that give the optimum parameters of the horn geometry as a function of frequency and beamwidth. The range of values provided covers the parameters required for the design of horns for telescope feeds and various other instruments. The design curves show clearly that the flare-step performance is superior to the traditional groove-step Potter horn. The simulations for designing these horns were carried out at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths but the results can be scaled to lower or higher frequencies. A key component in the design method is the optimization software that searches for the correct magnitude and location of the flare discontinuities. We have developed a software package based on the combination of modal matching, a genetic algorithm (GA) and downhill simplex optimization. The genetic code is first used to locate the proximity of the global minimum. The set of parameters obtained are then used as a starting point for the simplex method, which refines the parameters to the required accuracy.

The Design of Potter Horns for THz Applications Using a Genetic Algorithm

We describe the design and performance of an easy to machine horn which exhibits excellent beam circularity and low cross polarisation over a relatively large bandwidth. No grooves are machined into the horn walls but, alternatively, flare angle discontinuities are generated along the horn profile. In other words, the horns will have several flare angles or sections instead of one. For example, if the horn consists of two flare angles, it could then be considered as a conventional Potter horn. As can be seen below, even with this simple design, excellent radiation patterns can be obtained over 15% bandwidth. The bandwidth could be further increased by adding more subsections with 30% bandwidth obtained when the profile is based on 4 sections. The operation of the horn is based on generating higher order modes at the correct amplitude ratio and phase with respect to the incident TE11 mode in the circular waveguide, which is achieved by accurate determination of the magnitude and location of the flare steps. This in turn yields a field distribution at the horn aperture that has low sidelobes and cross polarization in the radiation pattern. A key component in the design package is the optimization software that searches for the correct magnitude and location of the flare discontinuities. We have generated a software package based on the combination of modal matching, genetic algorithm (GA) and simplex optimization. The genetic code is first used to locate the proximity of the global minimum. The set of parameters obtained are then used as a starting point for the simplex method, which refines the parameters to the required accuracy. We shall illustrate our method by showing radiation patterns using two and three step discontinuities and also patterns for a spline profiled horn based on work by other investigators who used different optimization techniques.

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A High Performance Horn for Large Format Focal Plane Arrays

We report the successful operation of a superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) finline mixer operating near the superconducting energy gap of Nb. The mixer employs a new type of Pickett-Potter horn-reflector (PPHR) antenna, which exhibits low sidelobes and low cross-polarization levels, and yet is easy to fabricate. The SIS tunnel junction and all of the integrated superconducting tuning circuits are fabricated from Nb using planar-circuit technology. The mixer employs an antipodal finline section, deposited on one side of a quartz substrate, which transforms the high impedance of the waveguide (/spl ap/300 /spl Omega/) to the low impedance of the microstrip line (/spl ap/20 /spl Omega/). The Nb/Al-oxide/Nb tunnel junction is fabricated at the same time as the finline circuit. In this paper, we describe the design and testing of the mixer, and pay particular attention to the electromagnetic design of the PPHR antenna. We investigate the noise temperature and gain of the mixer over 642-714 GHz, and analyze the experimental results using rigorous theories that were developed specifically for the purpose. Our investigation demonstrates that finline mixers have good performance both below and above the superconducting energy gap.

P. Kittara

Papers

Experimental Investigation of a Low-Cost, High Performance Focal-Plane Horn Array

Multiple flare-angle horn feeds for sub-mm astronomy and cosmic microwave background experiments

The Design of Potter Horns for THz Applications Using a Genetic Algorithm

A High Performance Horn for Large Format Focal Plane Arrays

A 700-GHz SIS antipodal finline mixer fed by a Pickett-Potter horn-reflector antenna