RCU Modes/Bands

The RCU band (formally known as RCU mode, now referred to as 'bands', configured via the --band flag) allows you to set the observing window for a given set of RCUs. While the band of each antenna polarisation can be configured to be independant on any other antenna (allowing for configurations such as KAIRA's Mode 3-5-7), we recommend only using a single observing band and use multiple observing epochs to see a source over multiple modes to allow for the use of the entire antenna set to maximise the sensitivity and keep a reasonable and predictable beam shape for each observation.

Mode 0, 1, 2

These modes are the OFF, Low-band Low (200MHz) and Low-Band Low (160MHz) observation modes, they should not be be used on international stations and are meant to selectively use different parts of the array in the core and remote stations.

Mode 3 (Band 10_90)

Mode 3 is the standard LBA observing mode, using the entire set of LBA antenna and the 200MHz clock, covering 0MHz to 100MHz. 

Mode 4 (Band 30_90)

Mode 4 enables observation with the entire set of LBA antenna and the 200MHz clock, with an additional high-pass filter to reduce the effects of bright signals below 30MHz, but allowing for observations from 0MHz to 100MHz. 

Mode 5 (Band 110_190)

Mode 5 is the standard HBA observing mode, enables observing with the HBA tiles and the 200MHz clock covering 100MHz to 200MHz.

Mode 6 (Band 170_230)

Mode 6 enables observing with the HBA tiles and the 160MHz clock, covering 160MHz - 240MHz.

Mode 7 (Band 210_250)

Mode 7 enables observing with the HBA tiles and the 200MHz clock. It has a reduced bandwidth compared to the other modes as a result of significant amounts of RFI and antenna attentuation being present above ~240MHz, but allows for observations from 200MHz to 250MHz.