NPDF · Udaipur Solar Observatory, PRL

Harsha Avinash Tanti, PhD

Radio Astronomy · Instrumentation (RF, Digital & Embedded) · Space Weather · Goniopolarimetry · Technology Development

A Researcher exploring the Sun and heliosphere through radio observations and advanced instrumentation. Combining signal processing, antenna design, and RF systems to extract weak cosmic signals. Driven by technology development that bridges scientific discovery and real-world engineering systems.

5+
Journal Papers
10+
Conf. Papers
3
Patents Filed
6+
Years Research

About Me

Astronomer.
Engineer. Builder.

I am currently a National Postdoctoral Fellow at the Udaipur Solar Observatory of the Physical Research Laboratory, and a Visiting Researcher in the Department of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Indore. My research lies at the intersection of observational astrophysics, radio instrumentation, signal processing, and applied RF engineering.

My work focuses on understanding the Sun and the interplanetary medium using radio observations and interferometric techniques. A central theme of my research is extracting weak astrophysical radio signals in the presence of ionospheric distortions, terrestrial interference, and instrumental noise. During my doctoral research, I developed analytically derived and machine-learning–based approaches for passive RF source localisation and direction-of-arrival estimation, along with the design and prototyping of RF instrumentation including antennas, amplifiers, and heterodyne receivers.

My postdoctoral research extends this foundation toward solar radio studies and technology development for space and ground-based observational systems. I investigate radio signatures of energetic particles and solar eruptions to infer plasma properties such as density, magnetic field strength, and particle propagation relevant to space weather. Alongside the scientific work, I also develop digital signal processing pipelines and instrumentation systems using SDRs, FPGAs, and embedded platforms for interferometric observations in the microwave regime.

More broadly, my technical work spans antenna design and electromagnetic simulation, RF front-end development, UAV-based antenna characterization systems, and the integration of positioning, communication, and sensing modules for experimental platforms. I enjoy working across the full development pipeline—from theoretical modelling and algorithm design to hardware prototyping, system integration, and real-world deployment.

Several of these technology developments have resulted in patent applications and interdisciplinary collaborations. What motivates me most is translating scientific ideas into robust engineering systems that enable new observational capabilities and practical technological solutions.

Outside research, I enjoy learning new languages, exploring diverse cuisines, and immersing myself in Manga.

📡

Radio Astronomy

Low-frequency observations, Direction of Arrival estimation, and advanced array signal processing.

🛰️

Space Engineering

Satellite system design, space VLBI, and spacecraft hardware development for real-time operations.

RF & Antennas

Full-cycle design from simulation (CST, HFSS) to prototyping and field characterisation.

🌤️

Space Weather

Solar magnetic field analysis, heliospheric signatures, and IPS-based solar wind studies.

Technical Expertise

The Tools
of the Trade.

MATLAB — 6+ Years

Data Analysis Noise Removal Modelling Programmatic GUIs Antenna & RF Toolbox Signal Processing Simulink Math & Stats Toolbox Image Processing

Programming Languages

Python — Proficient Embedded C — Intermediate C — Beginner C++ — Beginner

Antenna & RF Simulation

CST Microwave Studio Ansys HFSS 4NEC2 Cadence AWR Keysight ADS

Microcontrollers & SoCs

PIC 8/16-bit ATmega 8–32-bit Raspberry Pi Jetson Nano Jetson Orin Nano Jetson AGX Orin Tinker Board

Data Formats

NetCDF CDF HDF5 Pickle (.pkl) RINEX ASCII FITS Binary

Platforms & OS

Linux Windows macOS SDRs UAV Systems

Focus Areas

Research
Frontiers.

🔭

Passive RF Source Localisation

Development of advanced algorithms (SAM, ML-based) for direction-of-arrival estimation using tri-axial antenna configurations — enabling goniopolarimetric characterisation of low-frequency radio sources.

📶

Low-Frequency Radio Instrumentation

Design, simulation, and prototyping of wideband antennas (bi-conical, tri-axial dipoles, patch arrays) and RF front-ends optimised for the challenging low-frequency radio environment.

☀️

Space Weather & Solar Physics

Multi-instrument analysis of the inner heliosphere using interplanetary scintillation and in-situ satellite data to study declining solar magnetic fields and their propagation effects.

🚀

Space & UAV Systems

Spacecraft hardware design, space VLBI with hybrid satellite orbits, UAV-based antenna characterisation, and real-time lunar terrain detection for autonomous landing systems.

Scholarly Output

Patents &
Publications.

2025
Development of a machine learning-based radio source localization algorithm for tri-axial antenna configuration
H.A. Tanti, A. Datta, T. Biswas, and A. Tripathi
Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy · Vol. 46, No. 5
Article Link
2025
Space VLBI — Exploring the Potential of Hybrid Orbit Configurations
A. Datta, T. Biswas, H.A. Tanti, and S.K. Pal
Experimental Astronomy · Vol. 60, No. 23
Article Link
2025
Inner-heliospheric Signatures of Steadily Declining Solar Magnetic Fields and Their Possible Implications
H.A. Tanti, S.K. Bisoi, A. Datta, and K. Fujiki
The Astrophysical Journal · Vol. 979, No. 2
Article Link
2023
Snapshot Averaged Matrix Pencil Method (SAM) for Direction of Arrival Estimation
H.A. Tanti, A. Datta, & S. Ananthakrishnan
Experimental Astronomy · Vol. 56, pp. 267–292
Article Link
2021
Detection and Validation of Cloud Top Height From Scanning Ka-Band Radar Measurements Using Digital Image Processing
S.K. Das, P.P. Joshi, R.S. Kokitkar, U.V.M. Krishna, H.A. Tanti and A.C. Phadake
IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing · Vol. 14, pp. 1848–1856
Article Link
2025
A Low-Cost Radiometric Monitoring of Ionospheric and Auroral Variability in the Arctic
B. Brawar, H.A. Tanti, A. Biswas, A. Shudhanshu, A. Datta, and S. Das
MAPCON 2025 · Accepted
2025
A Study of (U,V) Coverage in Space Based VLBI Using Hybrid Satellite Orbits
T. Biswas, H.A. Tanti, A. Datta and S.K. Pal
MAPCON 2025 · Accepted
2024
An Overview of Arctic RFI Monitoring Survey
S. Ghosh, H.A. Tanti, A. Datta and S. Das
IEEE India Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (InGARSS) · Goa, 2024
Article Link
2024
A Study of Wire Bi-Conical Antenna for Wide-Band Application in Radio Astronomy
H.A. Tanti, A.K. Pradhan and A. Datta
IEEE Wireless Antenna and Microwave Symposium (WAMS) · Visakhapatnam, 2024
Article Link
2023
Tri-axial Patch Antenna Array Configuration for Direction of Arrival (DoA) Application
H.A. Tanti, K. Sahu, A. Datta and A.K. Pradhan
8th International Conference on Computers and Devices for Communication (CODEC) · Kolkata
Article Link
2023
Concept Study of UV Coverage of Radio Interferometry in Space Using Small Satellites
T. Biswas, A. Datta, H.A. Tanti and S.K. Pal
CODEC 2023 · Kolkata
Article Link
2023
Deep Learning Based Real-Time Lunar Terrain Detection for Autonomous Landing Approach
K.S. Shekhar, H.A. Tanti, and A. Datta
CODEC 2023 · Kolkata
Article Link
2023
Monitoring Infrastructure Faults with YOLOv5, Assisting Safety Inspectors
K.S. Shekhar, H.A. Tanti, A. Datta and K. Aggarwal
ICICIS 2023 · Pune
Article Link
2022
Microstrip Patch Antenna as a Paper Moisture Sensor
P.S. Bansode, H.A. Tanti, A.C. Joshi, Y.J. Gaikwad, R.C. Aiyer and S.A. Gangal
Journal of Physics: Conference Series · ICCTPP 2022
Article Link
2021
Validation of Direction of Arrival with Orthogonal Tri-Dipole Antenna for SEAMS
H.A. Tanti and A. Datta
IEEE Indian Conference on Antennas and Propagation (InCAP) · Jaipur, 2021
Article Link
Provisional Patent Filed
Systems and Methods for characterising Low-Frequency Antenna
H.A. Tanti and A. Datta
Application No: 202521019265
Patent Filed
Systems and Methods for Detecting one or more Cracks in Infrastructure using Unmanned Vehicles
A. Datta, K.S. Shekhar, H.A. Tanti, and R. Katta
Application No: 202521051009
In Filing Process
Spacecraft Hardware Operation Unit for Real-time Yield Analysis
S. Hazra, A. Datta, A. Dutta, and H.A. Tanti

Career

Experience &
Education.

Work Experience

Jan, 2026 — Present
National Post Doctoral Fellow (NPDF)
Udaipur Solar Observatory · Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Udaipur
Investigating solar eruptions and energetic particle dynamics using microwave radio observations, while developing DSP pipelines and interferometric imaging techniques for solar radio studies.
Dec, 2024 — Dec, 2025
Translational Research Fellow (TRF)
Department of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Enggineering · Indian Institute of Technology Indore
Developed UAV-based antenna characterization systems integrating SDRs, RTK positioning, RF measurements, and embedded platforms for precision antenna testing.
Jul, 2019 — Dec, 2024
PhD Researcher and Teaching Assistant
Department of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Enggineering · Indian Institute of Technology Indore
Developed analytical and machine-learning–based RF source localisation techniques and instrumentation to investigate heliospheric plasma and the interplanetary medium through interplanetary scintillation studies.
Assisted in teaching postgraduate courses in radio astronomy, electrodynamics, and space instrumentation while mentoring student projects in antenna design, RF systems, and signal processing.
May, 2019 — Jun, 2019
Scientific Assistant
Department of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Enggineering · Indian Institute of Technology Indore
Designed and deployed a low-frequency radiometer using FPGA-based hardware and performed RF component characterization for radio instrumentation.
Aug, 2018 — May, 2019
Teaching Assistant
Department of Electronic Science · Savitribai Phule Pune University
Supported postgraduate teaching in electronic science by developing laboratory experiments, course materials, and mini-projects in embedded systems, PCB design, and image processing.

Education

Jul, 2019 — Dec, 2024
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Enggineering · Indian Institute of Technology Indore
Doctoral research focused on radio astronomy and heliophysics, developing RF source localisation methods and instrumentation to study the interplanetary medium using interplanetary scintillation.
Jun, 2016 — Jun, 2018
M.Sc. in Electronic Science
Department of Electronic Science · Savitribai Phule Pune University
Specialized in electronic instrumentation and signal analysis, with research on retrieving microphysical properties of high-altitude clouds using Ka-band radar and machine learning.
Jun, 2012 — Jun, 2016
B.Sc. with Electronics Hons.
University of Calcutta
Undergraduate studies in physical sciences with Honours in Electronics.

Writing

Blog &
Perspectives.

Radio Astronomy
Why Low-Frequency Radio Astronomy Is So Hard — And So Rewarding
The ionosphere is both a window and a wall. Understanding why frequencies below 100 MHz are both scientifically rich and technically treacherous.
Coming Soon5 min read
Instrumentation
From Simulation to Prototype: Building Wideband Antennas for Space
A behind-the-scenes look at the journey from CST models to physical hardware — where theory meets the soldering iron.
Coming Soon7 min read
Space Weather
Reading the Sun's Magnetic Heartbeat Through Interplanetary Scintillation
How fluctuations in distant radio source signals reveal the invisible structure of the solar wind and its long-term changes.
Coming Soon6 min read
Contact

Get in Touch

Let's build
something remarkable.

Whether you share a passion for antennas, RF systems, radio astronomy, or system development — or you're looking to collaborate on research — I'd love to hear from you.