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PAF 2026 - International Phased Array Feed (PAF) & Advanced Receiver Workshop 

FANPU HOTEL, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
June 1-5, 2026 

The landscape of radio astronomy is being reshaped by the transition of cutting-edge technologies—such as phased array feeds, broadband single-pixel feeds, and aperture arrays—from foundational research to practical deployment. These innovations are pivotal for next-generation instruments, including advanced synthesis imaging arrays, Square Kilometre Array (SKA) pathfinders, and large single-dish telescopes. The definition of scientific requirements and performance standards for these technologies has been a collaborative effort, advanced through a series of influential international workshops and symposia held in Dwingeloo, Sydney, Provo, Cagliari, Penticton, Guizhou, and Bonn. These gatherings have served as a cornerstone for fostering the global collaboration that accelerates innovation. Continuing this vital tradition, the China-Brazil Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Radio Astronomy Technology and the National Astronomical Observatories are honored to host the upcoming workshop on Phased Array Feeds and Advanced Receivers.

 

Agenda:

  • Jun 1:    Registration (Airport shuttles to the hotel available - timetable TBA)
  • Jun 2-4: Main Meeting (agenda TBA)
  • Jun 5:    Optional FAST Site Visit (Buses will take attendees to the hotel afterward)

 

Call for Abstracts:

We invite submissions of one-page abstracts for presentation at the workshop. Abstracts must be submitted in PDF format by March 30, 2026. Authors of accepted abstracts will be allocated a time slot for an in-person oral presentation at the conference. Registration is required for all presenters and attendees.

 

Topics of interest:

  • - Wide-band antennas, LNAs, and receiver technology
  • - Single pixel feeds
  • - Low cost and efficient cryogenic systems
  • - Phased array feed front end R&D
  • - PAF theory & modeling
  • - Digital signal processing and back-ends
  • - Integration of PAFs and array receivers with M&C, telescope control, management of calibrations and beams
  • - Experimental characterization and performance evaluation
  • - New & proposed instruments 

 

Formatting Guidelines:

  • - Paper Size: US Letter (8.5'' x 11'')
  • - Margins: 1 inch on all sides
  • - Font: Times Roman
  • - Title: Centered, 12-point bold, at the top of the page
  • - Authors and Affiliations: Listed below the title, centered, 12-point regular text
  • - Body Text: 10 or 11-point font, briefly describing the work to be presented
  • - Length: Strictly one page, including text, optional references, figures, tables, or photos.

 

Review Process:

Abstracts will undergo a single-pass review process. Submissions will be assessed based on relevance to the workshop themes, originality, clarity, technical content, and adherence to the formatting requirements.

 

Visa Invitation Letter:

A visa invitation letter can be provided upon request.

 

Conference Fee:

The conference fee is 1800 RMB. Please note that it will be collected on-site, as online payment is not supported.

 

Registration:

It is not necessary to complete all three steps at once. However, if you plan to visit the FAST site, please ensure you have completed at least the first step and express your interest to visit FAST site by March 20, 2026.
  • - You can register for the conference by clicking "Register Now" on the left side of the homepage.
  • - To submit your abstract, click "Call for Papers" at the top of the homepage. Please note that you may submit your full paper at a later time.
  • - For hotel reservations, click "Hotel Information" at the top of the homepage. Payment will be made on-site.

 

FAST Site Visit--Expression of Interest:

A visit to the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) site is being planned. We kindly ask you to complete your registration and express your interest at least 10 days prior (by March 20) to the deadline. This will allow us sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements for the visit. Please note that expressing your interest helps us with initial planning but does not constitute a mandatory commitment. You are free to cancel your participation at a later stage.

 

Conference Dinner:

We are pleased to inform you that the conference dinner will be held at the conference hotel at June 2, 2026. Kindly specify the number of guests attending when completing your registration.

 

Important: Registration Technical Issue & Verification Code Delay:

This is a technical reminder regarding the registration process for the upcoming meeting. While the standard procedure on the conference page should allow you to set up your account and register, we are aware of a temporary technical issue affecting verification code delivery.

The Issue: The code may arrive a couple of minutes later than expected.

Critical Instruction: Even if the system page states that the code is "outdated," "expired," or "invalid," please do not request a new code immediately.

What to Do: Wait for the code to arrive. Once received, enter it into the system. It should remain valid for your registration.

 

Organizers:
Local Arrangements: Peng Jiang, Biao Du
Technical Committee: Alex Dunning, Wim van Cappellen, Brian D. Jeffs, Karl F. Warnick, Yang Wu, Gundolf Wieching