Concept Demonstrator for 14.5 to 20 GHz Extension of the SKA MeerKAT Radio Telescope

Radio astronomy projects have attracted state of the art receiver and antenna designs as a result of the sensitivity required to detect signals well below the noise level of receiver systems. The sensitivity of reflector antenna systems in the Ku/K band region is limited by reflector surface accuracy aand signal attenuation caused by atmospheric conditions. Water vapour and oxygen absorption in the atmosphere begins to dominate system temperature from 17 GHz. In this paper, a proof of concept receiver system operating from 14.5 GHz to 20 GHz for the MeerKAT Radio Telescope is presented. Predicted results for the combined system show an achievable sensitivity of approximately 0.5 m²/K when pointing at zenith.