Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Through the Karoo Array Telescope, and its extension MeerKAT, South Africa is demonstrating its capabilities to host the most powerful radio telescope ever, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). This new interferometer is intended to assist radio astronomers in unlocking the mysteries concealed in the far regions of the universe. A thorough investigation of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) sources at each stage of the design becomes relevant for the success of the project. The electromagnetic coupling through coaxial cables is the main focus of this thesis since 90% of the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) problems come from inadequate system layout and grounding, where cabling plays the major role. Interest revolves around better noise immunity, low radiation and cost. Transfer impedance (ZT ) and shielding e ectiveness (SE) are used as the cable selection criteria. Several measurements of coaxial cables identi ed on KAT-7 have been performed for ZT characterisation from 300 kHz up to 1.3 GHz. A current injection method is used to identify the ZT for the low frequency region. We derived the high frequency part of ZT , with a reverberation chamber technique (RC) measuring shielding e ectiveness. At rst, we calibrated the RC according to the relevant IEC 61000-4-21 standard and evaluated the result with an Open Area Test Site (OATS) E- eld estimation. The accuracy of the E- eld within the chamber is also addressed, based on statistical analysis of the chamber's independent samples. The OATS E- eld equivalent determination showed a good correlation with the OATS E- eld data of a standard radiator. A coaxial air-line ZT veri ed the theoretical ZT model within 7 dB and showed the expected 20 dB/decade slope variation. Furthermore, the braiding porpoising e ect has been noticed with some cable samples. Here, a variation less than 20 dB/decade occurs at lower frequency. Then, the slope changes to 20 dB/decade at high frequency. This study illustrates a practical comparison of cable performance and constitutes a rst approach to RFI mitigation of the MeerKAT cabling system. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Deur middel van die Karoo Reeks Teleskoop, asook sy uitbreiding MeerKAT, demonstreer Suid-Afrika sy vermo om die mees kragtige radioteleskoop ooit, die Vierkante Kilometer Reeks (SKA), te vestig. Hierdie nuwe interferometer is bedoel om radiosterrekundiges te help in die ontsluiting van die geheimenisse wat versteek is in die verre reike van die heelal. 'n Deeglike ondersoek van Radio Frekwensie Steurings (RFS) bronne by elke stadium van die ontwerp is belangrik vir die sukses van die projek. Die elektromagnetiese koppeling deur koaksiale kabels is die hoo okus van hierdie tesis, aangesien 90% van die elektromagnetiese versoenbaarheid (EMV) probleme ontstaan as gevolg van onvoldoende stelsel-uitleg en beaarding, waar kabels die hoofrol speel. Beter ruis-immuniteit, lae straling en koste vorm die areas van belang. Oordragimpedansie (ZT ) en afskermingsdoeltre endheid (SE) word gebruik as die kabelkeuringskriteria. Verskeie metings van koaksiale kabels wat op KAT-7 gedenti seer is, is uitgevoer vir ZT karakterisering van 300 kHz tot 1,3 GHz. 'n Stroom-induseringsmetode is gebruik om die ZT vir die lae-frekwensiebereik te identi seer. Ons het die ho-frekwensie deel van ZT afgelei met 'n weerkaatsingskamer tegniek (RC) wat afskermingsdoeltre endheid meet. Eerstens het ons die RC gekalibreer volgens die relevante IEC 61000-4-21 standaard en die resultaat met 'n Ope Area Toetsterrein (OAT) E-veld benadering gevalueer. Die akkuraatheid van die E-veld in die kamer is ook aangespreek, gebaseer op 'n statistiese analise van die kamer se onafhanklike monsters. Die OAT E-veld ekwivalente benadering het goed met die OAT E-veld data van 'n standaard uistraler gekorreleer. 'n Koaksiale lugmedium-transmissielyn ZT bevestig die teoretiese ZT model binne 7 dB en het ook die verwagte 20 dB/dekade variasie in helling getoon. Verder is die golwende e ek oor die kabelomvlegting opgemerk met sekere kabels. Hier is 'n variasie van minder as 20 dB/dekade gevind by die laer frekwensie. Dan verander die helling na 20 dB/dekade teen ho frekwensie. Hierdie studie toon 'n praktiese vergelyking van die verrigting van die kabel en 'n eerste benadering tot RFS tempering van die MeerKAT kabelstelsel.

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