Algorith Development for On-Line Control of the Airborne Laser

<p>The use of adaptive optics entails the design of a controller. This requires the development of a model of the plant to be controlled which in this case consists of the atmosphere through which light is traveling. In optics Zernike polynomials are used as a basis set for the expansion of wavefront phase distortions. Due to the turbulence induced stochastic nature of the underlying process involved the spatial-temporal correlation functions of the Zernike polynomial phase expansion coefficients must be evaluated if a proper stochastic model of the plant is to be developed and adaptive optics is to be employed. In this work these correlation functions are developed using a layered atmospheric model which takes into account wind effects and anisoplanatism. Calculations are provided for the first few low-order Zernike modes. Using these correlation functions an underlying linear stochastic dynamical system which represents the atmosphere and is adequate for control synthesis is identified. Within an acceptable error bound the correlation functions of this system are representative of the calculated functions. The deformable mirror is also modeled output equations are specified and the complete system is constructed.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>