Compact deformable mirror driver electronics for risk tolerant astrophysics missions

Christian Haughwout; Kyle Van Gorkom; Stephen Kaye; Kerri Cahoy; Daewook Kim; Ewan S. Douglas

doi:10.1117/12.2677714

4 October 2023 Compact deformable mirror driver electronics for risk tolerant astrophysics missions

Christian Haughwout, Kyle Van Gorkom, Stephen Kaye, Kerri Cahoy, Daewook Kim, Ewan S. Douglas

Proceedings Volume 12677, Astronomical Optics: Design, Manufacture, and Test of Space and Ground Systems IV; 1267706 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2677714
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2023, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Deformable mirrors (DMs) are a critical enabling technology for many astrophysics mission concepts currently in development. Unfortunately, generating the control signals required by DMs is difficult, and historically there have been few options for controlling a DM on a spacecraft. In this work, electronics suitable for controlling a 952 actuator MEMS DM have been developed and their performance has been characterized. The driver electronics deliver 16 bits of resolution with a least significant bit increment of 2.75 milliVolts and RMS electronic noise of less than 1.2 milliVolts over the range of 0 to 170 Volts. These electronics have been built to be compatible with the needs of missions that are cost-constrained and risk-tolerant. To that end, the driver electronics use widely available parts with a total expected unit cost of approximately $30,000. Although the driver electronics do not use radiation hardened parts, testing data indicates a 2 year lifetime in a TESS-like orbit with 90 percent confidence when shielded by 6 millimeters of aluminum.

Conference Presentation

(2023) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Christian Haughwout, Kyle Van Gorkom, Stephen Kaye, Kerri Cahoy, Daewook Kim, and Ewan S. Douglas "Compact deformable mirror driver electronics for risk tolerant astrophysics missions", Proc. SPIE 12677, Astronomical Optics: Design, Manufacture, and Test of Space and Ground Systems IV, 1267706 (4 October 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2677714

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