Adaptive Optics Control Systems Analyzer (AOCSA)

This project addresses the development of software technologies to collect, analyze, and display test data from adaptive optics control systems. Innovative technologies are devised which allow efficient processing of data from multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) systems involving deformable mirrors, electronic signal processing, wavefront sensors, actuator arrays, and other physical elements which comprise the adaptive optics control systems. The project develops tools for acquisition, processing, analysis, display, and management of data associated wtih MIMO systems. The available features allow users to evaluate stability and stability robustness, temporal and spatial response, frequency domain characterizations, inter-channel coupling, noise and uncertainty measures, test excitations, modulation transfer function, Strehl ratios, and other functions useful in testing of adaptive optics control systems. The proposed Adaptive Optics Control System Analyzer (AOCSA) meets the requirements by exploiting and integrating technologies from three areas. First, common algorithms from the signal and image processing theory (Fourier transforms) and their advanced off-shoots, such as coherence functions, are used to ensure quality measurements and correct interpretation of results. Second, the theories and algorithms applicable to adaptive control system performance and stability measures are framed into user interfaces and displays which support the treatment and interpretation of experimental data. Last, the technologies of processors, data acquisition support electronics, commercial executive software environments, and special "toolbox" packages are used as the basis for implementing a user-friendly AOCSA.