Real Time Adaptive Signal Processors for On-line Performance Optimization of Adaptive Optical Systems

"The proposed effort utilizes the experience gained from over 20 years of work performed by the Optical Sciences Company in the areas of atmospheric propagation, wavefront sensing and adaptive optics technology to develop real time adaptive signalprocessors for on-line performance optimization of adaptive optical systems. In addition to building upon the technology developed for the GEN III NOP adaptive optics system to implement the adaptive control law an enhanced estimation algorithm isutilized. Unlike conventional systems, which predict the future wavefront, the proposed effort predicts the subaperture slopes that are required. As a consequence, nonlinear wavefront reconstructors, such as branch cut reconstructors, can be used in astraight forward manned in a strong scintillation environment. This is a key feature of the proposed effort that ensures that a high level of performance will be available. The adaptive algorithms and processor developed here will not only adapt to theturbulence environment as it chances in time, but will allow for compensation of the least squares and branch point components of the phase in a strong scintillation environment. This work will benefit ABL, GBL, SBL, and low elevation astronomy andpropagation to relay morrors."