The Design Study
The CTA consortium is performing a Design Study (DS) for the optimization of the performance of the planned observatory and to study its possible implementation. The primary targets of the DS are:
to narrow
down the multidimensional space of design options and technology
options, optimizing the relation between performance and cost of
the facility,
to lay
out a clear path for how such a facility can be constructed and
operated,
to build
and test prototype telescope(s) that are suitable for mass
production for a large array of telescopes
A duration of about four years is foreseen for the Design Study. While in 2008 the focus is on the optimization of possible layouts of the telescope system and on the evaluation of possible technical implementations, the year 2009 will be used to construct and test components of prototypes. During 2010-2011 prototype telescope(s) shall be constructed and finally tested in the field.
The Design Study is performed within a set of 11 work packages (see below), which are defined to allow for a well-focused work on the specific sub-tasks, without creating too many interfaces between the different work packages. The coordination of the work in each package and the supervision of their work plans, as well as the interfacing to the other work packages is done by experts on the specific topics.
Short name
Work package title
PHYS
Astrophysics and astroparticle physics
MC
Optimisation of array layout, performance studies and analysis algorithms
SITE
Site evaluation and site infrastructure
MIR
Design of telescope optics and mirror
TEL
Design of telescope structure, drive and control systems
FPI
Focal Plane Instrumentation
ELEC
Readout electronics and trigger
ATAC
Atmospheric monitoring, associated science and instrument calibration
OBS
Observatory operation and access
DATA
Data handling, processing, management and data access
QA
Risk assessment and quality assurance