Paper 13094-133
Paper 13094-133
TMT NFIRAOS deformable mirror electronics FPGA firmware design
On demand | Presented live 18 June 2024 
Abstract
The NFIRAOS Deformable Mirror Electronics (NDME) system is integral to the Narrow Field InfraRed Adaptive Optics System (NFIRAOS) of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). Using two sets of deformable mirrors to correct wavefront aberrations, the NDME converts stroke commands from the NFIRAOS Real-Time Controller (NRTC) into precise actuator drive voltages. The NDME FPGA firmware enables real-time functionality, handling concurrent command processing with strict timing requirements. It incorporates low-latency SPI for DAC and ADC and custom 1G Ethernet interfaces. Benchmarking with the Xilinx Kria K26 FPGA demonstrates the firmware's efficiency in managing data transmission and processing latencies adhering to a critical 75-microsecond threshold. These results validate the firmware's efficiency, robustness, and reliability, which are crucial for the TMT project's success.
Presenter
NRC-Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics (Canada)
Mr. Erning Zhao is a distinguished engineer, renowned for his expertise in both analogue and digital hardware, and FPGA firmware design. Specializing in adaptive optics systems for astronomical applications, he holds a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. His professional journey is marked by significant contributions at the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre (HAA) Canada. His pivotal roles in projects like the Square Kilometer Array Dish Digitizer, the TMT NFIRAOS Deformable Mirror Electronics, and the Avalanche Photonic Detector wavefront sensor readout system on FPGA platforms, have been instrumental in advancing the field. His deep-seated knowledge in hardware and FPGA firmware design, coupled with his impactful work in groundbreaking astronomical projects, establishes Mr. Zhao as a leading figure in the field of astronomical instrumentation and adaptive optics systems.