[asac] ACA design and imaging study

[Min Yun]

I would like to hear from the ASAC a little more feedback
on what considerations should go into the ACA design and
the evaluation of its imaging performance.  As I mentioned
during the telecon, having the problem better defined is
really the first step.  And the consideration that providing
the short spacing data is the primary purpose is a significant
first step.  To help guide this work further, could you voice
your opinion on the following questions?

1. How much consideration should be give the ACA as a
stand-alone imager?  We will no longer emphasize its
possible function as a TeraHz array, but should we try
to preserve any future possibilities?  

2. How much consideration should we give to the cross-
correlation between the smaller antennas and the 12m
antennas?  If the cross-calibration using the cross-
correlation is important, this needs to be designed
into the layout of the ACA but possibly at some cost
to maximizing the sampling of the shortest spacings.

These two consideration will drive the ACA design to two
distinct and competiting ideas, and there will be some
impact favoring 7 x 8m array versus 16 x 6m array as well.
I can already tell you that we will not have an all-singing,
all-dancing array even with 16 antennas.  So, my question
really is what the priorities should be at what weight,
with respect to providing the maximum short-spacing sampling
(i.e. a separate filled configuration).

Thank you for your thoughts on these points in advance.



				Min S. Yun