EOVSA Implementation of a Spectral Kurtosis Correlator for Transient Detection and Classification

Abstract

We describe in general terms the practical use in astronomy of a higher-order statistical quantity called Spectral Kurtosis (SK), and describe the first implementation of SK-enabled firmware in the F-engine (Fourier transform-engine) of a digital FX correlator for Expanded Owens Valley Solar Array (EOVSA). The development of the theory for SK is summarized, leading to an expression for generalized SK that is applicable to both SK spectrometers and those not specifically designed for SK. We also give the means for computing both the SK estimator and thresholds for its application as a discriminator of RFI contamination. Tests of the performance of EOVSA as an SK spectrometer are shown to agree precisely with theoretical expectations, and the methods for configuring the correlator for correct SK operation are described.

arXiv comment16 pages, 4 figures

References in corpus (5)

• DiFX2: A more flexible, efficient, robust and powerful software correlator
• Bayesian power-spectrum inference for Large Scale Structure data
• LEAP: the large European array for pulsars
• The Allen Telescope Array Search for Electrostatic Discharges on Mars
• Spectral Kurtosis Statistics of Transient Signals

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