SKADS aims to

1
SKADS Stated Objectives

• SKADS aims to
• Demonstrate SKA Scientific Viability and
  Readiness
• Demonstrate cost-effective Engineering Solutions
  and Technological Readiness
• Deliver a costed SKA Design

• The structure is optimized to continuously
  map the scientific requirements onto the
  technical specifications to produce a common
  design goal.
• The work has clear objectives, milestones
  and deliverables to provide outcomes in
  measurable and verifiable form

2
SKADS Preparation

• Dec 2002 Lets start meeting at ASTRON
• Feb 2003 Grenoble (small part)
• Feb 2003 Medicina
• Mar 2003 Schiphol
• May 2003 Jodrell Bank
• June 2003 Schiphol
• Sept 2003 Nancay
• Nov 2003 Florence
• Nov 2003 Brussels
• Dec 2003 Schiphol
• Feb 2004 Madrid
• Mar 2004 Proposal submitted

We took a long time to get the structure
right and then had many further set-up meetings
3
Conclusions of 2008 Workshop

• Original plan validated - no need to change
  course significantly
• Developing world-leading science and technical
  simulations setting the standards
• Leading the development of Aperture Arrays and
  electronic beam forming
• new and highly flexible ways of observing the
  radio sky - vital for key SKA science objectives
  including opportunities for new discovery
• lots of practical work with highly promising
  results beginning to feel real
• Constructing three demonstrators (EMBRACE, 2-PAD,
  BEST) to test out different aspects these
  concepts at this stage there is vitality in
  diversity
• Working on state-of-theart generic sub-system
  technologies relevant to the SKA with promising
  results.
• Developed a specific implementable vision of the
  SKA (the SKADS Benchmark Scenario) and a
  sophisticated cost model (within the
  international context)
• The next generation is not neglected. Many able
  ( young) scientists and engineers attracted
  into SKADS/SKA family Marie Curie training
  programme

New DNA ? explosion of life forms Survival of
fittest taking place (Darwinian evolution)
Things are going well but SKADS will end next
summer.
4
Upcoming European challenges

• More European coherence within international
  PrepSKA required
• ESKAC reformed as over-arching focus of effort
• Securing funding to maintain scope of programme
• no specific EC funding as a focus contrasts
  with SKADS
• PrepSKA programme is vital but not enough to
  fully cohere Europe
• Path2SKA should be a major boost
• AA readiness for Phase 1 both technically and
  politically vital !
• Astronomical-grade performances in stand alone
  and interferometry modes
• Environmental robustness on an SKA-type site
• Technology choices
• AAVP emerging (A3IV, AA-SEM, DAAVS) and Path2SKA
• VERY FOCUSSED European-led programme is crucial
  for post-SKADS ? needs to be planned as a
  complete whole - like SKADS
• ? will take many meetings to generate the
  plan (already 3-4 AAVP)
• ? also must incorporate a European dish
  contribution

5
SKADS Preparation

• Dec 2002 Lets start meeting at ASTRON
• Feb 2003 Grenoble (small part)
• Feb 2003 Medicina
• Mar 2003 Schiphol
• May 2003 Jodrell Bank
• June 2003 Schiphol
• Sept 2003 Nancay
• Nov 2003 Florence
• Nov 2003 Brussels
• Dec 2003 Schiphol
• Feb 2004 Madrid
• Mar 2004 Proposal submitted

We took a long time to get the structure
right and then had many further set-up meetings
6
Next meetings..

• End October 2008 DSP/RFI algorithms Medicina
• 10-14 November 2008 WP2 Kick-off Manchester
• January 21/22 2009 SKADS Board ESKAC
  (AAVP)
• 
  Madrid
• Feb 18-20 2009 SKA2009 Workshop on high DR
  imaging
• 
  Capetown
• June 2009 Final SKADS Board ESKAC (AAVP)
  ????
• October 2009 5th SKADS Workshop ESKAC (AAVP)
  Dwingeloo