The eXtreme Wavefront Control Toolkit: high-contrast imaging instrument control for ground and space-based coronagraphs

Abstract

We present the eXtreme Wavefront Control Toolkit (XWCTk), a comprehensive instrument control software system developed for the MagAO-X extreme adaptive optics (ExAO) instrument. The XWCTk is built on a foundation of the ImageStreamIO (ISIO) / MILK / CACAO low-latency image processing and high dimensional control tool chain. Higher level instrument control is managed with the Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface (INDI). These tools are combined via a modern c++ application framework which seamlessly provides configuration, logging, distributed inter-process communication (IPC) with INDI and low-latency IPC with ImageStreamIO. The core library provides various components, e.g. standard hardware interfaces, which can be added to an application as needed. On the MagAO-X instrument, every detector (including in science focal planes) is a potential wavefront sensor capable of sending commands to three separate deformable mirrors. MagAO-X utilizes a distributed control system, where a separate real-time controller (RTC) and the instrument control computer (ICC) each manage low-latency wavefront control tasks (up to 3.6 kHz on the 2000 actuator main AO system, and over 8 kHz on the low-order coronagraph system) but are capable of coordinated control. Implemented algorithms include neural networks for nonlinear reconstruction of wavefronts at over 3 kHz. We have recently begun incorporating distributed raspberry pis for accelerometer data acquisition at various locations on the telescope, with low-latency streaming to the real-time computers for sensor fusion control. A core design principle of the XWCTk is that all data can be saved all the time. This includes full-rate WFS images, deformable mirror commands, as well as science data. To facilitate this we have implemented a custom lossless compression system capable of sustaining high data rates to disk. A python interface for scripting and experimentation, as well as a python application framework is provided which can be used for non-real-time tasks. Remote operations (e.g. from Tucson Arizona when the instrument is at LCO in Chile) is routine. The XWCTk is under continuous development for the MagAO-X instrument, and will be adapted for GMagAO-X, the planned first-light ExAO coronagraph for the Giant Magellan Telescope. Additionally, XWCTk is the baseline for a space high contrast imaging instrument, and as such ongoing development is focused on automation for robust operation in flight.

Authors 19

1. Jared R. Males

   University of Arizona

   Affiliation as printed

   Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

2. Joseph D. Long

   Flatiron Institute

   Affiliation as printed

   Flatiron Institute (United States)

3. Sebastiaan Y. Haffert Aachen Leiden Observatory

   Leiden University · Leiden Observatory

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden Observatory, Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)

4. Kyle Van Gorkom

   University of Arizona

   Affiliation as printed

   Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

5. Parker T. Johnson

   University of Arizona

   Affiliation as printed

   Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

6. Rico Landman Aachen Leiden Observatory

   Leiden University · Leiden Observatory

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden Observatory, Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)

7. Eden McEwen

   University of Arizona

   Affiliation as printed

   Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

   Wyant College of Optical Sciences, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

8. Olivier Guyon

   University of Arizona · Astrobiology Center · National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

   Affiliation as printed

   Astrobiology Ctr. (Japan)

   Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

   Subaru Telescope, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (United States)

9. Vincent Déo

   National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

   Affiliation as printed

   Optical Sharpeners SAS (France)

   Subaru Telescope, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (United States)

10. Miles Lucas

    University of Arizona · National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

    Subaru Telescope, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (United States)

11. Irina Stefan

    University of Arizona

    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

12. Katie Twitchell

    University of Arizona

    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

    Wyant College of Optical Sciences, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

13. Jay Kueny

    University of Arizona

    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

    Wyant College of Optical Sciences, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

14. Joshua Liberman

    University of Arizona

    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

    Wyant College of Optical Sciences, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

15. Adam K. Taras Aachen Leiden Observatory

    Leiden University · Leiden Observatory

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden Observatory, Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)

16. Adam Schilperoort

    University of Arizona

    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

17. Matthijs Mars Aachen Leiden Observatory

    Leiden University · Leiden Observatory

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden Observatory, Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)

18. Ewan S. Douglas

    University of Arizona

    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)

19. Laird M. Close

    University of Arizona

    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)