Integrated Adaptive Optics System

An integrated, inexpensive, compact adaptive optics system suited for use in surveillance, reconnaissance, and laser applications is proposed. The proposal provides a specific hardware implementation that utilizes cutting edge technologies, including a 32x32 actuator deformable mirror and a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor based on a high performance visible CMOS camera. A PCI Express card hosting a Virtex 6 FPGA will be developed under this project to implement wavefront sensing and control algorithms at frame rates in excess of 20 kiloframes per second. The adaptive optics system has a 0.5 cubic meter size envelope and weighs approximately 50 kg. A server provides overall control of the system via a user-friendly graphical user interface. The ROM hardware cost to replicate this system is $250,000. This reduction in size, weight and cost will permit incorporation of the proposed adaptive optics system into a variety of platforms such as manned and unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites. BENEFIT: The proposed adaptive optics system will provide a revolutionary advance in applications of surveillance, reconnaissance and laser communication from aerial vehicles and satellites.