A real-time simulation facility for astronomical adaptive optics

Abstract

In this paper we introduce the concept of real-time hardware-in-the-loop simulation for astronomical adaptive optics, and present the case for the requirement for such a facility. This real-time simulation, when linkedwith an adaptive optics real-time control system, provides an essential tool for the validation, verification and integration of the Extremely Large Telescope real-time control systems prior to commissioning at the telescope. We demonstrate that such a facility is crucial for the success of the future extremely large telescopes. © 2014 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society.