Precision analysis of the imaging pipeline in the square kilometre array

Abstract

In this paper we present our end-to-end model of the imaging pipeline in the Square Kilometre Array. Our Sky Generator models the signals that are received by the Central Signal Processor (CSP), our CSP Correlator model then processes those signals to generate visibilities to pass to the Science Data Processor (SDP). Our SDP Imaging model then grids the visibilities and inverse Fourier transforms them to produce a dirty image of the sky. Our modelling allows us to investigate the error that is introduced due to reduced numerical precision, and we then propose techniques to mitigate this error, and thus reduce the required amount of computational hardware.