EOVSA Implementation of a Spectral Kurtosis Correlator for Transient Detection and Classification

Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation

article

Gelu M. Nita¹  Jack Hickish²  David MacMahon²  Dale E. Gary¹ 

[1] Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, New Jersey Institute of Technology;Radio Astronomy Laboratory, University of California Berkeley

关键词: Instrumentation: interferometers;    instrumentation: spectrographs;    methods: statistical;    methods: analytical;   

DOI  :  10.1142/S2251171716410099

学科分类：天文学(综合)

来源: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

【 摘 要 】

We describe in general terms the practical use in astronomy of a higher-order statistical quantity called spectral kurtosis (SK), and describe the first implementation of SK-enabled firmware in the Fourier transform-engine (F-engine) of a digital FX correlator for the Expanded Owens Valley Solar Array (EOVSA). The development of the theory for SK is summarized, leading to an expression for generalized SK that is applicable to both SK spectrometers and those not specifically designed for SK. We also give the means for computing both the SK̂ estimator and thresholds for its application as a discriminator of RFI contamination. Tests of the performance of EOVSA as an SK spectrometer are shown to agree precisely with theoretical expectations, and the methods for configuring the correlator for correct SK operation are described.

【 授权许可】

Unknown