VLA Expansion Project: Draft Timeline
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VLA Expansion Project: Draft Timeline
This is based on a 27jul01 draft EVLA Phase I project timeline by Peter Napier, with additional dates and Phase II connections inserted by Michael Rupen based on conversations with Peter and Brent Carlson. Approved by Peter 13aug01.
Items in reddish italics are Phase II milestones; critical Phase II deadlines are in boldface.
This is a best-guess timeline only; there may be changes!
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 May 01 | Beginning of EVLA Phase I |
| Aug 01 | EVLA Planning Workshop: Defining the Second Phase |
| Sep 01 | EVLA Phase II proposal decision: whether to request R&D or construction funds, & when to submit proposal |
| Jan 02 | Feed cone/receiver PDR:
breakpoint for deciding on subreflector modifications First draft of EVLA Phase II Design Study |
| Aug 02 | Start installing fiber on array. No antennas connected. |
| Jan 03 | Feed cone/receiver CDR:
deadline for deciding on subreflector modifications Earliest possible funding for EVLA Phase II research & development |
| Apr 03 | Choose EVLA Test Antenna near array center. Install new IF/LO/FO system. Test with new prototype M/C system. Some new and some old front-ends. Not available for observing. |
| Jul 03 | Start interferometry tests between EVLA Test Antenna and VLA. |
| Oct 03 | Freeze electronics design. Start electronics production. |
| Jan 04 | Earliest possible funding for EVLA Phase II construction |
| Mar 04 | Start installation of new IF/LO/FO system on antennas at 7
antennas/year. Full M/C capabilities available. EVLA antennas available
for observing. Start installation of highest priority new front-ends. Subreflector proto-typing (funded by Phase I) Engineers become available for EVLA Phase II work! |
| Q3, 05 | 1--3 element correlator available for testing at the VLA. |
| Late 05 | Plausible date for beginning EVLA Phase II construction if we don't hire more engineers for development work |
| Dec 05 | Correlator chip production run begins: breakpoint for deciding on size of correlator |
| Dec 06 | Last-chance deadline for deciding on size of correlator: set jointly by (1) our ability to get the devices that the boards were designed for; and (2) ramping down of Phase I correlator development (upper level correlator people could be retained at some cost...). |
| Q4, 07 | Start installation of new correlator in new correlator room at VLA. |
| Q1, 08 | New correlator available for beta testing. |
| Mar 08 | Last antenna converted to EVLA design. |
| Q1, 09 | New correlator on-line, start testing. |
| Q4, 09 | New correlator debugged & fully operational. |
| May 10 | Last new receiver installed. |
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