The Korean VLBI Network (KVN) is a new mm-VLBI dedicated array with capability for simultaneous observations at multiple frequencies, up to 129 GHz.The innovative multi-channel receivers present significant benefits for astrometric measurements in the frequency domain. The aim of this work is to verify the astrometric performance of the KVN using a comparative study with the VLBA, a well established instrument. For that purpose, we carried out nearly contemporaneous observations with the KVN and the VLBA, at 14/7 mm, in April 2013. The KVN observations consisted of simultaneous dual frequency observations, while the VLBA used fast frequency switching observations. We used the Source Frequency Phase Referencing technique for the observational and analysis strategy. We find that having simultaneous observations results in a superior performance for compensation of all atmospheric terms in the observables, in addition to offering other significant benefits for astrometric analysis.We have compared the KVN astrometry measurements to those from the VLBA.We find that the structure blending effects introduce dominant systematic astrometric shifts and these need to be taken into account. We have tested multiple analytical routes to characterize the impact of the low resolution effects for extended sources in the astrometric measurements. The results from the analysis of KVN and full VLBA datasets agree within 2-σ of the thermal error estimate.We interpret the discrepancy as arising from the different resolutions. We find that the KVN provides astrometric results with excellent agreement, within 1-σ, when compared to a VLBA configuration which has a similar resolution. Therefore this comparative study verifies the astrometric performance of KVN using SFPR at 14/7 mm, and validates the KVN as an astrometric instrument. Subject headings: Astrometry -techniques: interferometric -quasars: individual (OJ287, 0854+213)GHz, along with KVN observations using a similar configuration, both carried out in April 2013. The VLBA observations were carried out using fast frequency switching between both bands, while the KVN used simultaneous dual frequency observations. This study will serve to deepen the understanding on the limitations imposed by the fast frequency switching observing mode (i.e. with the VLBA), and the benefits derived from simultaneous dual frequency simultaneous observations with the multi-channel receivers in the KVN. The driver for this is to investigate whether to equip global baselines with KVN-like systems or more conventional fast frequency-switching systems.The interest and basis of the SFPR method have been described in detail in other publications ; most recently, the application to spectral line observations of H 2 O and SiO masers in evolved stars, with a non integer frequency ratio, is presented in Dodson et al. (2014). In summary, the SFPR technique provides at mm-wavelengths the benefits that conventional PR has in the cm-wavelength regime, where the moderate tropospheric phase fluctuations can be match...
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