Spatial filtering experiment with the ASKAP beta array

A real-time spatial RFI mitigation experiment has been conducted with an ASKAP test array in Australia at GPS L2 frequencies. The goal of the study was to observe and image a bright astronomical source in a corrupted environment. The RFI spatial information was estimated in real-time with Phased Array Feed sample Array Covariance Matrices in order to update a spatial filter based on subspace projection. The resulting images show a clear improvement in the filtered data compared to the unprocessed data. This paper describes the instrument and the RFI mitigation strategy implemented. Possible limitations and improvements of the algorithms employed are suggested after analyzing and interpreting the results.