Implementation of MUAV as reference source for GLAO systems

Abstract

We propose an alternative method to generate an artificial reference source for a Ground Layer Adaptive Optics system airborne on a Multirotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Turbulence profiles from the Ground Layer at the National Astronomical Observatory in San Pedro Martir were analyzed to establish the requirements in luminosity, altitude, and flight stability of an artificial source. We found the source must be at least 800 m above the observatory's surface and follow a fixed trajectory to emulate the apparent movement of the stars with a stability of 1.54 cm in time intervals smaller than 18 ms. We establish some commercial and customized MUAVs can nearly accomplish this task.

Measurement of the optical turbulence produced by a drone

“…This characterization is necessary to validate the implementation of these devices as reference sources for the ground layer turbulence correction in astronomical observatories. 5 However, the understanding of this phenomenon can also be applied in the fields of aero-optics and free space optical communications. 6 In optical instrumentation, there are several reasons why an optical system cannot reach its ideal performance.…”