Starpoint Adaptive Optics
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Hydraplex™ HV Stage
>> See also: Hydraplex™ Channel Demultiplexer Unit
Overview
Starpoint's Hydraplex™high channel count deformable mirror drive architecture
is intended for large adaptive optics installations.
It consists of a standard Channel Demultiplexer Unit that is common to
all variants, and a High Voltage Stage that can be
designed to provide user-specified drive characteristics.
The Channel Demultiplexer Unit (CDU) provides a Serial FPDP data
interface to the control computer, 16-bit DAC outputs
to the HV amplifier stage,
and read-back of the output from each HV amplifier.
The HV Stage provides the high voltage power amplifiers
needed to drive the deformable mirror. A variety of amplifier
types is available, to meet the requirements of a diverse range
of deformable mirror characteristics.
The division of functions between the two sections
allows timely design turn-around of custom drive specifications,
while providing a standard interface between the control computer
and the drive amplifier stage.
The table below lists some built designs currently operating in end-user
adaptive optics installations, but Starpoint also specialises
in custom HV drive development. It has a broad portfolio
of design blocks which can be drawn on to build
a drive to a user-defined specification in a timely manner.
|
|
Min Vout |
Max Vout |
Bias Voltage |
Drive
Current |
Max. Frequency
(−3dB corner) |
Quiescent Power
per Channel¹ |
| i) |
−215 V |
+215 V |
– |
4mA |
1000 Hz |
1100 mW |
| ii) |
0 V |
+100 V |
– |
30mA |
600 Hz |
340 mW |
| iii) |
0 V |
+190 V |
– |
50 µA |
4000 Hz |
14 mW |
| iv) |
−20 V |
+20 V |
−60 V |
5 mA |
500 Hz |
16 mW |
|
|
Additional features, such as inter-actuator voltage limiting, are available
where required.
The system impact
of a large heat dump near the AO optics can be significant.
Starpoint offers industry-leading quiescent power dissipation
on its most recent designs.
System Configuration
The Hydraplex system has a 19-inch rack form factor.
A typical configuration consists of one 1664-channel CDU
and four 6U HV Stage sub-racks.
These are mounted together in a single 40U × 19" rack
to achieve short and orderly cable routing.
Typically, each HV Stage circuit board carries 32 drive amplifiers,
with 448 HV amplifier channels in a single 6U sub-rack.
The DAC and ADC read-back signals are carried between the
CDU and the HV Stage on 68-way VHDCI cables. Cabling from the
amplifier outputs to the deformable mirror is system-specific.
¹ The quiescent power figures include PSU efficiencies.
² All specification data are preliminary and subject to
change without notice.
© 2005 Starpoint Adaptive Optics Limited