Analytical Optimization Method for the New Redundant Configuration of the FAST Feed Cabin

Abstract

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) is the largest single dish and most sensitive radio telescope in the world. As the number and difficulty of observation tasks increase year by year, it is decided to further improve the performance of FAST. Therefore, a new redundant configuration of the FAST feed cabin has been designed. This paper discusses the modeling of such redundant configuration and the analytical optimization method with 2 kinds of constrains. Then after simulation calculation, an excellent optimization result is obtained. It proves that at least 50° observation zenith angle can be achieved, which means that astronomical phenomena near the galactic center can be observed. The results provide the important foundation for the FAST’s future upgrade.