FPGA technology for high speed, low cost adaptive optics

The Durham University Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (formerly the Astronomical Instrumentation Group) has been involved in the development of both research and facility class astronomical adaptive optics systems and their associated control systems for over 20 years. The centre also has interests in commercial and non-astronomical research AO systems, including the areas of novel wavefront correctors and AO control systems. Firstly this paper summarises Durham’s history in AO control, then we seek to provide an overview of why the group is moving to FPGA technology for control systems in the context of new work. We then present a collaboration between Sira Technologies Ltd. and Durham, aimed at exploiting FPGA technology to provide high speed, low cost AO control for commercial applications, we examine the results so far achieved, and finally we present our Integrated Wavefront Sensor product concept.