e-VLBI FP6 Proposal

Outline Background The Call Content of Proposal & Aim Possible Participants Overall preparation plan

Background e-VLBI is widely recognised as an important proving application for Research Networks across the globe. Collaboration between EVN, GEANT, NRENs and EC already substantial. Recent milestones (first image, first science) suggests e-VLBI is about to “come of age”.

FP6 proposal is an opportunity to properly fund our e- VLBI activities. We understand that a proposal with a strong international dimension is important. e.g. China, S. Africa, Australia, Japan, USA ? Coordinate the project as an I3 (like RadioNet) – most flexible instrument and only one that permits Research Activities. We understand that about 10 projects will be funded from the 25 MEuro pot – we should aim for a big project (3 MEuro from the EC ?).

FP6 Jargon hierarchy SUPPORT SCHEMES ­Trans-national access ­Integrating activities ­Communication N/W development ­Design studies ­Construction of new infrastructure ­Accompanying measures AREAS of WORK ­GEANT ­eInfrastructure – GRID initiatives ­eInfrastructure – Consolidating initiatives Forms of Support (INSTRUMENTS) ­Integrated Infrastructure Initiatives ­Co-ordinating actions ­Specific support actions ACTIVITIES ­Networking activities ­Specific service activities ­Joint research activities Call b.3.

Call Summary Support Scheme: Communication Network Development Area of Work: Infrastructure – Consolidating Initiatives Available instruments: ­Integrated Infrastructure Initiatives ­Co-ordination Actions ­Specific Support Actions Relevant Objectives: ­Reinforce user communities, e.g. astronomy ­Reinforce policies, management actions, tools, e.g. ICT-resource sharing, security, registries/repositories of resources ­Support international collaboration, e.g. Latin America, Asia, the Balkans etc. Fixed deadline: 17 March 2005, 17:00

Content of the Proposal Initial aim is… The creation of a real-time e-VLBI network in Europe and beyond, transparently connecting together an e-EVN/e- MERLIN array of up to 16 telescopes operating reliably at data rates of 512 Mbps. Ultimate aim: The Use of High-Speed Networks, >10Gb/s, to realise the full potential of diverse radio astronomy resources across Europe. Like RadioNet I3, split into 3 main sections: Networking Activities, Specific Support Actions & Joint Research Activities.

Overview of Networking Activities JIVE ?I3 Dissemination & PR5 Onsala?e-VLBI Science Forum4 ?e-VLBI Tech. Forum3 DANTE ?EVN-NREN Forum2 JIVE I3 Management1 LeadNameNA No.

Overview of Specific Service Activities JIVETrans-continental e-VLBI2 JIVEEuropean Production e-VLBI facility1 LeadNameSSA No. JBO (?)Expanded e-MERLIN3 ASTRON (?)Expanded LOFAR4

Overview of Joint Research Activities ?Future e-VLBI Developments2 JIVE (van Langevelde)Software correlator and GRID1 LeadNameJRA No.

SSA1: European Production eVLBI facility Targets: Fully functional, real-time eVLBI instrument. Up to 16 stations at 512 Mbps Rapid response capability for ToO observations at telescopes and correlator Transparent connection of e-MERLIN telescopes Telescope control, dynamic scheduling, auxiliary telescope data Fringe (performance) feedback to stations RT pipelining 512 Mb/s/station performance Activities: Robust real-time correlator control software Robus input/integration/output (Mark5B/VSI) capability Improved network end-to-end performance Additional connections to telescopes: Effelsberg, Yebes, Sardinia, Noto, HRAO, Shanghai, Urumqi, Kunming, Miyun, Ventspils, Cebreros, New Norcia Additional s: Amsterdam  JIVE and long term SURFnet-JIVE connection deal Continuing, trans-European network support eVLBI, back-end solutions for telescopes new to VLBI Increased network capacity Jb-UKERNA (and UKERNA-GEANT?)

SSA 2: Trans-contintental eVLBI Targets Expanded eVLBI network to include telescopes beyond Europe: e.g. China, Latvia, South Africa, Arecibo, Korea Activities Local loops to relevant telescopes Trans-continental network connections

Possible Participants Partners: e-VLBI PoC Radio Astronomy Institutes: JIVE, ASTRON, OSO, JBO, TCfA, MRO, IRA, Arecibo, MPIfR. e-VLBI capable telescopes 2005 onwards: OAN (Spain), ShAO (China), HRAO (S. Africa), VIRAC (Latvia), FSU ? Subset of e-VLBI PoC NRENs Letters of support from the community: e-VLBI Technology developers: Haystack Obs ?, Australia, Japan. Application driven interests: ESA/ESOC/ESTEC (Space Science via precision Spacecraft Navigation)

Proposal preparation plan

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