This project will use advanced antenna electromagnetic modelling software (FEKO) to optimise the performance of commercial off-the-self (COTS) antenna designs for radio astronomy applications. COTS antennas typically focus on simple performance metrics like gain and front-to-back ratio, but do not consider ground or coupling type effects relevant to radio astronomy. The project will design and optimise modifications to an existing COTS antenna with a view for field testing if time permits.
Current system uses a commercially available 3-element Yagi antenna element shown on the right. 
More information about ERA system can be found on the ICRAR ERA page.
| Student attributes | |
| Academic background | Electrical/electronics engineering/computing |
| Computing skills | MATLAB |
| Training requirement | Fundamental RF measurements (will be provided) |
| Project timeline | |
| Week 1 | Inductions and project introduction |
| Week 2 | Initial presentation |
| Week 3 | CAD Model in FEKO of the existing ERA antenna. Formulate key performance parameters to be achieved. Evaluate physical limitations. |
| Week 4 | Optimise antenna geometry for the derived parameters. Generate a comparison table showing the improvement in ERA system for a specific radio astronomy experiment. |
| Week 5 | Optimise antenna geometry for the derived parameters. Generate a comparison table showing the improvement in ERA system for a specific radio astronomy experiment. |
| Week 6 | Antenna production and measurements. |
| Week 7 | Antenna production and measurements. |
| Week 8 | Report writing, conclusions, future proposals. |
| Week 9 | Final presentation |
| Week 10 | Final report |