Robert Eager (Boeing LTS, AFRL/DE)
Keywords: Adaptive Optics
Abstract:
High Performance and Extremely Large Adaptive Optics systems place great demands on the data distribution and electronic control sub-systems. These servo-loop sub-systems acquire, process, and drive electro-optical/mechanical devices with large degrees of freedom. Two of the key parameters which affect AO loop performance are latency and jitter. To minimize these parameters, data must be efficiently acquired from sensors, processed into servo commands and then distributed to actuators. In addition to these critical path activities, there is also a requirement to tap into many points in the processing pipeline to monitor, characterize and perform high-level corrections. One answer to this communications dilemma is the use of a low-latency packet switched network. This paper illustrates the actual performance and flexibility of such a network by describing the high-performance system used at the Starfire Optical Range. The paper will then demonstrate the adaptability of this network architecture to accommodate the more complex communication requirements of extremely large AO systems.
Date of Conference: September 10-14, 2006
Track: Adaptive Optics