ICALEPCS2011 - Table of Session: MODAU (Process Tuning and Feedback Systems)

Paper

Title

Page

Thirty Meter Telescope Adaptive Optics Computing Challenges

36

C. Boyer, B.L. Ellerbroek, L. Gilles, L. Wang
TMT, Pasadena, California, USA
S. Browne
The Optical Sciences Company, Anaheim, California, USA
G. Herriot, J.P. Veran
HIA, Victoria, Canada
G.J. Hovey
DRAO, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) will be used with Adaptive Optics (AO) systems to allow near diffraction-limited performance in the near-infrared and achieve the main TMT science goals. Adaptive optics systems reduce the effect of the atmospheric distortions by dynamically measuring the distortions with wavefront sensors, performing wavefront reconstruction with a Real Time Controller (RTC), and then compensating for the distortions with wavefront correctors. The requirements for the RTC subsystem of the TMT first light AO system will represent a significant advance over the current generation of astronomical AO control systems. Memory and processing requirements would be at least 2 orders of magnitude greater than the currently most powerful AO systems using conventional approaches, so that innovative wavefront reconstruction algorithms and new hardware approaches will be required. In this paper, we will first present the requirements and challenges for the RTC of the first light AO system, together with the algorithms that have been developed to reduce the memory and processing requirements, and then two possible hardware architectures based on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

Slides MODAULT01 [2.666 MB]

MODAUIO02

Global Real Time Functions of the "Plasma System": Plasma Control and Machine Protection

F. Sartori, M. Cavinato
F4E, Barcelona, Spain
G. De Tommasi
CREATE, Napoli, Italy
A. Neto
IPFN, Lisbon, Portugal

One of the most promising lines of research in the area of energy generation by means of nuclear fusion is Tokamak high temperature magnetic fusion. Tokamak devices are complex machines where very hot plasma is formed, controlled and heated thanks to collaboration of several systems. Many of these systems are involved directly with the management of the plasma and the reaching of the target fusion performances: diagnostics, machine instrumentation, plasma heating systems, and magnets. Especially close and real-time coordination among these systems and the plasma is required for safe and efficient operation of the device. This overall "plasma system" has recently emerged as one of the most important areas of research and development as performance in a large and advanced tokamak device strongly depends on it. This talk will first provide an introductory overview to the "plasma system" especially highlighting its most important requirements. The focus will then be then given to the functions required to support real time coordination among the systems: plasma control and machine protection. The talk will try to exemplify the range of problems encountered in this area using JET experience as a model. Finally an example of present architecture and a methodology addressing the above problems will be presented.

Slides MODAUIO02 [3.887 MB]

Paper	Title	Page
MODAULT01	Thirty Meter Telescope Adaptive Optics Computing Challenges	36
	C. Boyer, B.L. Ellerbroek, L. Gilles, L. Wang TMT, Pasadena, California, USA S. Browne The Optical Sciences Company, Anaheim, California, USA G. Herriot, J.P. Veran HIA, Victoria, Canada G.J. Hovey DRAO, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada
	The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) will be used with Adaptive Optics (AO) systems to allow near diffraction-limited performance in the near-infrared and achieve the main TMT science goals. Adaptive optics systems reduce the effect of the atmospheric distortions by dynamically measuring the distortions with wavefront sensors, performing wavefront reconstruction with a Real Time Controller (RTC), and then compensating for the distortions with wavefront correctors. The requirements for the RTC subsystem of the TMT first light AO system will represent a significant advance over the current generation of astronomical AO control systems. Memory and processing requirements would be at least 2 orders of magnitude greater than the currently most powerful AO systems using conventional approaches, so that innovative wavefront reconstruction algorithms and new hardware approaches will be required. In this paper, we will first present the requirements and challenges for the RTC of the first light AO system, together with the algorithms that have been developed to reduce the memory and processing requirements, and then two possible hardware architectures based on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).
	Slides MODAULT01 [2.666 MB]

MODAUIO02	Global Real Time Functions of the "Plasma System": Plasma Control and Machine Protection
	F. Sartori, M. Cavinato F4E, Barcelona, Spain G. De Tommasi CREATE, Napoli, Italy A. Neto IPFN, Lisbon, Portugal
	One of the most promising lines of research in the area of energy generation by means of nuclear fusion is Tokamak high temperature magnetic fusion. Tokamak devices are complex machines where very hot plasma is formed, controlled and heated thanks to collaboration of several systems. Many of these systems are involved directly with the management of the plasma and the reaching of the target fusion performances: diagnostics, machine instrumentation, plasma heating systems, and magnets. Especially close and real-time coordination among these systems and the plasma is required for safe and efficient operation of the device. This overall "plasma system" has recently emerged as one of the most important areas of research and development as performance in a large and advanced tokamak device strongly depends on it. This talk will first provide an introductory overview to the "plasma system" especially highlighting its most important requirements. The focus will then be then given to the functions required to support real time coordination among the systems: plasma control and machine protection. The talk will try to exemplify the range of problems encountered in this area using JET experience as a model. Finally an example of present architecture and a methodology addressing the above problems will be presented.
	Slides MODAUIO02 [3.887 MB]