Designing the SMATT System for the Test Execution of the TMT
Combining TNO’s and TIO’s experience in opto-mechatronics with S[&]T’s experience in data processing from similar projects, S[&]T took on the responsibility of developing the central control unit and the software for the test execution, processing and reporting to test each produced SSA before it gets shipped to the construction site.
Designing the SMATT System for the Test Execution of the TMT
Combining TNO’s and TIO’s experience in opto-mechatronics with S[&]T’s experience in data processing from similar projects, S[&]T took on the responsibility of developing the central control unit and the software for the test execution, processing and reporting to test each produced SSA before it gets shipped to the construction site.
Background
Humanity has always been interested in the stars and our place within the universe. As technology evolves, the desire to build larger and more accurate telescopes that can look further out grows. TIO (TMT International Observatory) aims to build the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). Per TIO “TMT will have more light gathering power than the largest ten existing ground-based telescopes combined, and its images will be more than four times sharper than the James Webb Space Telescope.”. To achieve this, the primary mirror will be constructed out of approximately 500 hexagonal mirror segments.
The Problem
The Thirty Meter Telescope consists of approximately 500 mirror SSAs. To ensure each SSA meets the design specifications, it is important that they be tested thoroughly. For this, TIO has drafted a list of tests. Testing each SSA individually is a very complex and time-consuming process. This process, if done manually, leaves a lot of room for error and human interpretation, which can cause inconsistency between SSAs.
The Solution
To solve this issue, S[&]T under the leadership from TNO, in collaboration with Joseph Eder, Technolution and Westend, developed the SMATT (Segment Module Assembly Test Tool) system. The goal of the SMATT system is to test each segment support assembly (SSA) for its qualification of mechanical requirements.
The SMATT system encompasses a
central control unit, an FFT (Force Field Tool) that simulates the mirror
segment, and a trolley mounting frame. This system implements the following solutions:
Automated Test Execution:
o Implementation of standardised and custom communication protocols for hardware control.
o Combining multiple APIs in a modular framework.
o Develop control hardware for the SSA.
o Develop the Force Field Tool.
o Calculate the mechanical influences of the integrated SSA and FFT.
Automated Test Processing:
o
Fuse
multiple sensor readings into a model of the mechanical influences.
Reporting:
o Evaluate all measurement results based on a multitude of pass/fail criteria.
S[&]T's Role
S[&]T had a crucial role in developing SMATT. Having previously developed a Test Control Unit for TIO to experiment and test sub-assemblies, S[&]T has been involved in the development of the TMT from an early stage. Combining TNO’s and TIO’s experience in opto-mechatronics with S[&]T’s experience in data processing from similar projects, S[&]T took on the responsibility of developing the central control unit and the software for the test execution, processing and reporting to test each produced SSA before it gets shipped to the construction site.
Conclusion
With the TMT, TIO provides the scientific astronomical community with a powerful instrument to study objects such as supermassive black holes, exoplanets and, of course, our own solar system. Using instruments that measure light in a variety of bands, such as (near)-infrared and visible light, the TMT will provide scientists with lots of new data to help answer questions like "Are there planets out there that can support human life?" and "How do stars, planets, and galaxies form?".