In the world of radio astronomy, boundaries are constantly being pushed. Not only scientifically, but also technologically. In ASTRON’s APERTIF project, the volume of data is growing exponentially: with an increase in observational capacity of up to 25 times and measurements taking place almost twenty times faster than before. This calls for an infrastructure that is just as cutting-edge as the research objective itself.
Standard hardware was simply not sufficient to process these enormous data streams in a stable, efficient and sustainable manner. Together with Koning & Hartman, ASTRON developed a fully bespoke 19” rack solution, designed down to the millimetre. This involved meeting technical requirements in the areas of mechanical robustness, EMC shielding, cooling, cabling and future-proof scalability.
What makes this case study unique is the intensive co-creation process: starting with a virtual 3D design, the team worked towards a tested prototype and ultimately a solution ready to support decades of scientific research. The result? An infrastructure that reliably scales with the ambitions of modern astronomy and demonstrates what is possible when technology, expertise and collaboration come together.
"Thanks to clever design adjustments, the rack works perfectly. It combines mechanical robustness, precise tolerances, ease of assembly and a smart solution for fibre-optic cabling.”
- Sjoeke Zwier - Design Engineer at ASTRON
Curious to find out how this design came about, what technical choices were made and what this meant for the APERTIF project?
Download the full case study and discover how bespoke rack and enclosure solutions are crucial in data-intensive environments.
