Remote Operations

of Laser Guide Star Systems:

Gemini Observatory.

CFHT Telescope from afar Conference March 1st 2011 1

Richard J Oram*a, Vincent Fesquetb, Robert Wymana , Celine D’Orgevilleb

a Gemini North Observatory, 670 North A’ohoku place, Hilo 96720 Hawaii; b Gemini Sur Observatory/AURA Inc, Casilla 603, La Serena, Chile

Laser Guide Star Operations at Gemini Observatory

The Gemini North Telescope

is equipped with a 14W, 589nm

DPSS laser and in conjunction

with ALTAIR has been

providing Laser Guide Star

Adaptive Optics (LGS AO)

regular science Queue

observations since February

2007.

Laser Guide Star Operations at Gemini Observatory

The Gemini South Telescope

is equipped with a 55W,

589nm DPSS laser system for

MCAO (5 X 10W Beams)

was installed on the Gemini

South telescope in May 2010

and successfully made first

out of dome propagation in

Jan 2011.

Gemini’s Laser

Guide Stars

Shown side by

side

Gemini South Gemini North

Photo: M. Boccas

Gemini South is the

First telescope equipped

with a multi-sodium

LGS facility world-wide

Five Laser Guide Star Constellation at Gemini South

Remote Laser Operations at Gemini

In this presentation, we comment on how Gemini Observatory

developed regular remote operation of the Laser Guide Star

Facility and high-power solid-state laser as routine normal

operations.

GN Laser Operation

•First out of dome propagation May 2005

•Regular science ops since February 2007

Fully remote operation of the LGSF from the Hilo base facility

HBF was initially trialed and then optimized and became the

standard operating procedure (SOP) for LGS operation in

December 2008 to present.

Show Video of LGS operations

GN LGSF Operation 2007B – 2010B

10% Target

Laser Nights

Only

Safety Systems of the

Gemini LGS facilities

Laser system (Provided by laser vendor LMCT) • Built-in personnel and hardware safety, including but not limited to:

o On/off key switch (must be in for laser electronics to be energized)

o Fail-safe, defeatable door interlocks (terminate laser emission if door open)

o Temperature and flow sensor interlocks and cut-off switches (terminate light

emission at all wavelengths and/or power to the laser electronics)

o Mandatory safety-related labeling

o Automated, internal checks at startup & during operation (trigger interlocks as

needed)

Laser Interlock System (LIS - Gemini Eng) • Safety brain for the entire LGS facility and AO systems, based on PLC technology, is

a child of the Gemini Interlock System (GIS)

• Gathers inputs from all LGSF and AO subsystems, process logic, outputs interlocks

and/or commands to all LGSF and AO subsystems

• Typical end result of interlock sequence is shuttering of laser beam at laser system

output or at BTO shutter (prior to sky propagation) depending on circumstances

• Also includes input from spotters (aircraft avoidance), LTCS (beam collisions),

earthquake detector; 2011 project to interface with satellite avoidance as well. 8

Safety Systems of the

Gemini LGS facilities Aircraft avoidance- US FAA/Chilean DGAC

• To protect Mauna Kea airspace. Gemini completes annual re-certification with

FAA (letter of no objection) of our planned aircraft spotter program, protocol and

procedures.

• To protect Cerro Pachon airspace. Gemini completes annual re-certification with

Chilean airspace authority of our planned aircraft spotter program, protocol and

procedures.

Space Satellite avoidance- LCH/ US DOD STRATCOM JFCC • To protect US and other nation’s space assets the US DOD STRATCOMM

JFCC/ Joint space operations command- JSOC request that all laser equipped

observatories apply in advance for laser propagation clearance windows.

• Use of the Laser Clearing House requires each Observatory to submit a target

list five days in advance of planned laser propagation. The list is processed by

LCH to indentify conflicts and JSOC returns a list of approved propagation

windows for each night.

• In 2010 GN & GS staff completed training with LCH/JSOC in new improved

LCH procedures and JSOC certified Gemini’s compliance.

Laser Traffic Control System- LTCS- MK/CP • To avoid laser beacons interfering with observations being performed by other

telescopes as per Mauna Kea Laser Policy. The participating telescopes jointly

share real time status and pointing data providing automated conflict avoidance. 9

LGSF Operation

Typical Workflow

GN laser operates 110 nights per yr. GS laser 50 nights planned

for 2011.

Laser is operated by trained and certified laser operators

Maintenance (e.g. laser preps prior to run):

• Documented maintenance procedures conducted by trained and

certified laser workers Level II Laser Tech & Level III Laser Eng.

Normal operations (day-time laser calibration and night-time

propagation to sky during laser runs):

• Remote laser operation and monitoring from either GN or GS control

rooms

• Laser beams are fully enclosed:

o Laser Service Enclosure (LSE) houses all work on Laser System, with

interlocks on double access doors

o Laser System: interlocks on Laser Bench Enclosure and Laser Electronics

Enclosure doors

o BTO/LLT: interlocks on laser path tube and vane access doors

• Sky propagation prohibited below 20deg elevation (MKO and AURA-O

policy) 10

11

Laser Operations Overview

sky

GSAOI &

Instruments

Laser Service Enclosure

55W LASER

CANOPUS

BEAM

TRANSFER

OPTICS

Laser

Launch

Telescope

sky

Instruments

Laser Service Enclosure

14W LASER

ALTAIR

BEAM

TRANSFER

OPTICS

Laser

Launch

Telescope

Laser

Shutters Laser

Shutters

GS GN

Remote Laser Operations KVM over IP

(i-KVM)

Hilo or La Serena

Control Room

There are performance issues i.e

network latency so KVM user

management is commonly referred

to as "near real time".

KVM

Switch

KVM

Switch

KVM and Network bootbar.

This KVM over IP subsystem is typically connected to a

system's standby power plane so that it's available during

the entire BIOS boot

ATEN KVM over the net

Features: •Provides over-IP capability to KVM switches that do not have built in over-IP functionality Virtual media

via USB 2.0 data transmission NEW!

• Enhanced fps (frames per second) throughput for crisp responsive video display NEW!

•Ultra-Sync - with USB mice local mouse movement becomes the remote mouse movement NEW! Superior

video resolution: up to 1600 x 1200 @ 60Hz; vibrant 24-bit color depth for rich remote session display

NEW!

•Full-screen or sizable remote desktop window - in full-screen mode the remote desktop display scales to

user's monitor display size NEW!

•Up to 64 user accounts - Up to 32 concurrent user logins for single-bus sharing Message board feature

allows logged in users to communicate with each other, and allows a user to take exclusive control of the

KVM functions

•On-screen keyboard Export/import user account and configuration settings

•Advanced security features include password protection and advanced encryption technologies

•Secure 128-bit SSL encryption Enable/disable browser operation Event logging

•Remote firmware upgrading

•Multiplatform support: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac, Linux, Unix, Sun and FreeBSD

ATEN KVM over the net

WTI Network Boot Bar

Features:

•8 Outlets •Single 20 Amp Power Input Feed

•True RMS Current Metering & Reporting

•Circuit Breaker Protection •Local LED Displays Amps, Volts, Watts or Temperature

•Graph Daily, Weekly, Monthly & Yearly Power Consumption Data

•Current, Voltage & Temperature Threshold Sensing

•User Defined Alarm Thresholds

•Alarm Notification via Email, SNMP, Syslog, text message, LED or audible alarm

•Power Load Shedding w/ Auto Recovery

•Device Watchdog Monitoring/Reboot

•SSHv2 Encryption

•SNMP Control (v1,v2c,v3)

•10/100Base-T Ethernet Port •LDAP, Kerberos, RADIUS, TACACS+

•Command Logging with Audit Trail

•Individual & Group Outlet Power Switching

•Remote On/Off/Reboot/Default Power Switching •Timed & Scheduled On/Off/Reboot Switching

•Easy-to-Use Menu/Commands

•User-Defined Power-Up Default Status

•Three AUX Ports - Allows Control of Up to 80 Outlets via One Interface

•Various Input Cable Styles Available - Order Separately

•SSL Web Browser (Https) for Set Up and Operation •Remote Power Monitoring

WTI Network Boot Bar

Laser System

GN laser remote access upgrade

Ethernet for EPICS

LSE LOCAL

GUI, KYBD,

MOUSE

BELKIN

F1DF102P

KVM SWITCH

New Ethernet connection

for Remote IP Console

Ethernet for Remote IP Console

Ethernet for Remote IP Console

ATEN

CN8000

REMOTE IP MGR

Belkin

REMOTE IP MGR

WTI MPC-18H-1

Network Boot Bar

STEALTH 2000

DIAGNOSTICS

PC

NI PXI LASER

CONTROLLER

Components in Teal represent the upgrade

Oscilloscope LeCROY WAVEPRO

Oscilloscope

Touch screen

Circles in Blue represent new pass-through connections

ATEN

CN8000

REMOTE IP MGR

New Ethernet connection

for Remote IP Console

Gemini North upgrade physical layout

Gemini North Electronics

Enclosure

STEALTH 2000

DIAGNOSTICS PC

WTI MPC-18H-1

Network Boot Bar

LeCROY WAVEPRO

Oscilloscope

Touch screen

BELKIN

F1DF102P

KVM SWITCH

Ethernet for

Remote IP

Console

ATEN

CN8000

REMOTE IP MGR

ATEN

CN8000

REMOTE IP MGR

NI PXI LASER CONTROLLER

Gemini North Laser Bench

Belkin

REMOTE IP MGR

Okay, that’s how to set up

for remote operation

But,……

1) Is the laser system

reliable enough to be

operated remotely ?

2) Are we ready

to operate it ?

GN Laser Operation: Stabilization and Resource Extraction Plan

Phase I Centralize, Standardize, Modularize and Optimise: staffing model for sustaining LGS Ops

1. Enter details of GN LGS activities into Project Insight O&M- Validate FTEs

2. Document procedures for Level I GN Laser Operation.

3. Formally train and certify additional GN laser operators for night ops and backup.

4. Document procedures for Level II GN Laser Tech.

5. Formally train and certify GN Level II Laser Tech

6. Remote Operation of Laser from HBF is SOP

Phase II Standardize, Modularize and Optimise: Laser System Reliability Improvements

1. Improved reliability of Laser System to enable SSA propagation- (Eng09-090 and mini laser upgrades July’09 and Q4 ‘09)

2. Prioritise GN Laser spares and close gaps (95% complete in 2009)

3. Enter Laser and Optics PMs into Maintscape or PI

4. Routinely use operational data to drive continuous improvement activities

Phase III : Optimise and Outsource Night Operations 1. Trial of SSA laser propagation by Q4’09- Q1-Q4 2010

2. Reduce size of spotter Crew from 5 to 2 – Q2 2010

3. Deploy ASCAM – no objection FAA phase out Aircraft Spotter program- expected completion Q2 2013

4. Outsource LGSF night operations to Sci Ops- Roll out in 2011.

Red is complete

Core Context

The Five Levers Model

Extracting Resources from Mission-Critical Context

1. Centralize. Bring operations under a single authority to

reduce overhead costs and create a single decision-making

authority to manage risk

2. Standardize. Reduce the variety and variability of

processes delivering similar outputs to further reduce costs

and minimize risks.

3. Modularize. Deconstruct the system into its component

subsystems and standardize interfaces for future cost

reductions.

4. Optimize. Eliminate redundant steps, automate standard

sequences, streamline remaining operations, substitute

lower-cost resources, and instrument the process for

monitoring and control.

5. Outsource. Drive processes out of the enterprise entirely to

further reduce overhead, variabilize costs, and minimize

future investment. Incorporate monitoring systems into

Service Level Agreement

Geoffrey A. Moore, 2005, from the book “DEALING WITH DARWIN”

Phase I Centralize, Standardize, Modularize & Optimise: staffing model for sustaining LGS Ops

•Completion of documentation, •Maintenance manuals, set-up and preventive maintenance procedures (automate routine work orders). • Response plan (operators), Troubleshooting guide (M Techs)

•Staff Training and Certification. •Valid staff model, certify staff to above procedures

• Spares •Prioritise and complete and then sustain critical spares inventory also plan for component obselecence

•Quality System •Rigid use of Fault report system (Remedy). • Continuous improvement - Mature organization to routinely

use operational data to drive continuous improvement

activities

LGSF Stabilization- Administrative Staff Training and Certification.

Level I Laser Operator

• Trained on 5 procedures

• Training & Cert. takes 7 nights over 2 months

• Follows Response plan -escalates to Level II Tech

• Operates laser at night

Level II Laser Tech

• Trained on 30+ procedures

• Training and Cert takes 9 months

• Follows Trouble shooting guide- escalates to Level III Eng

• Does laser prep & sustaining PMs and spares

Level III Laser Eng

• Trained on 40+ procedures

• Training and Cert takes 18 months

• Is Tool owner and subject matter expert

• Curator of Troubleshooting guide and Response plan

• Procedures

• Response Plan

• Escalate to Level I

Operator Level I

• Procedures

• Trouble shooting guide

• Escalate to Level III

Tech Level II

• Procedures

• Trouble shooting guide

• Escalate to Mgr

Sustaining Eng Level

III

Phase II Standardize, Modularize & Optimise: Laser System Reliability Improvements

From an engineering perspective remote operation demands

stable, well characterized and base-lined equipment sets.

Stabilisation

In the effort to produce consistent, stable and controlled laser

parameters (power, wavelength and beam quality) we completed a

failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) of the laser system and sub

systems that initiated a campaign of prioritised hardware upgrades

and procedural improvements to the routine maintenance

operations.

We also did a separate FMEA on remote operation of the laser

and also continuous 24hr operation of the laser.

Failure Mode Effect Analysis

(FMEA)- One way to do it. 1. Assemble two teams. The Project team (A) that wants to do something

new and exciting (to them) and a team (B) of seasoned Eng and Techs

(touch of grey hair ) .

2. Get Team A to explain to Team B what they plan to do.

3. The fun bit; Compile, in a organized way the complete list of everyone’s

concerns (real & perceived) and attempt to identify the physical nature of

the risk that the concerns represent.

4. Then give them a numerical score for probability, criticality and

detectability to give a cumulative risk score or risk #.

5. Rank them as a Pareto chart in order of descending risk.

• Once we believe that we have

correctly calculated the assessed risk

the next step is make plans to

implement mitigations and

contingencies that will reduce the risk

score starting with the highest.

10)-(110)-(110)-(1 lity Detectabi.ty.CriticaliOccurance Prob. Risk#

Failure Mode Effect Analysis

(FMEA)- One way to do it.

10)-(110)-(110)-(1 lity Detectabi.ty.CriticaliOccurance Prob. Risk#

LGSF Stabilization- FMEA highlighted opportunities for Equipment upgrades to improve reliability.

GN Laser Reliability Improvements Score Benefits Costs Complexity LMCT

involvment

Optimisation of Cavity/Training Etc 101.2 4.75 1,000.00$ 1.5 2.5

Etalon pitch control modification 85.0 4 500.00$ 4.25 5

purchase wavemeter 75.0 3 13,000.00$ 5 5

Implement New alignment laser insertion tooling 65.3 4.75 250.00$ 2.75 5

Improve the SFG oven mount (x,y,z, yaw, pitch, motions) 60.0 4 5,000.00$ 3 5

Better, more stable optical mounts 1319 FM8, HR base, 56.0 3.5 3,000.00$ 4 4

SFG tip/tilt and y axis adjustment, x automated adjusted. 55.0 4 5,000.00$ 2.75 5

Waveplate rotator phase II 5.0 5 3,000.00$ 1 1

filter wheel at beam diag manual or auto 100.0 4 2,000.00$ 5 5

Remote Access control KVM 80.0 4 3,000.00$ 4 5

automated waveplate phase I 75.0 5 2,500.00$ 3 5

Change the ET3000 photo-detector (2GHz) for the ET3500 (10GHz) 75.0 3 2,000.00$ 5 5

purchase Fabry Perot 75.0 3 10,000.00$ 5 5

Change the delay control 50.0 5 5,000.00$ 2 5

more temperature sensors on bench 60.0 3 1,000.00$ 4 5

Change the AOM RF power distribution 5.0 5 5,000.00$ 1 1

FRU peltier rerofit 75.0 5 20,000.00$ 3 5

integrated beam profiling and spectrometer 75.0 3 3,000.00$ 5 5

1064 etalon control 45.0 3 -$ 3 5

power meter at both oscillator with integrated device four inputs 45.0 3 4,000.00$ 3 5

in-situ diode sampling wavelegth and power 45.0 3 1,000.00$ 3 5

in-situ FAP nose inspection tool 40.0 4 1,000.00$ 2 5Use of Ion Beam Sputtering (IBS) coatings for durability and hydroscopic

issues HR mirror, SFG optics

40.0 2 10,000.00$ 4 5

Change the rods mounts fiber coupling 36.0 3 6,000.00$ 3 4

Use new etalons + TECs 30.0 5 7,500.00$ 2 3

Tighter tolerances specified on key mirror coatings 4.0 1 10,000.00$ 4 1

KeyJuly '09 Upgrade items purchased out of remaining 2008 and 2009 Budget 24,500.00$

Nov/Dec/Jan '09 Upgrade items to be purchased out of remaining 2009 Budget 30,750.00$

Eng10-010 Upgrade items 42,500.00$

Ongoing Corrective Maintentance Project 2009-2010 21,500.00$

DependencytionImplementaeliabilityGN_Laser_R Vendor ComplexityBenefitScore

LGSF Stabilization- Equipment upgrades to improve reliability

LMCT – Variable RF delay loop switch

•Model # DSDB1

•Variable RF loops capable of a minimum delay of 140ps to all loops producing 31.157ns total delay

•140ps resolution based on loop configuration

•Nominal delay of switch is 2.52ns

•Manually adjustable from switch box located in the LSE

Original Equipment :

Variable RF delay loop switch

GN Laser Timing Servo Loop

Colby RF delay

generator

1.18 Watts measured

after the splitter

Colby Instruments – RF Delay Generator

•Model # PDL-100A-10NS

•10ps resolution electrical relay based and 500fs resolution

Electro-Mechanical Trombone for High resolution across the full 10ns range

•Signal Input Frequency Range DC to 18GHz

•Precision and accuracy is to 0.1%, ± 5 ps at 10ns

•Power Handling is 10W CW, 50W Peak

•500fs resolution from 0 to 10ns

•Nominal delay of instrument is 7.9ns ( spec )

•Fully programmable via GPIB, RS232 and TCP/IP

Equipment – RF Delay Generator

GN Laser Installation

Local Control

Remote Control of RF delay With Labview

A standalone VI has been created but is not approved to use at

this point. This code will be pushed to EIG for future

refinement and the official implementation

Should we remotely control this device?

Should we remotely control this device?

“Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should”

Jeff Goldblum, Jurassic Park 1993

What are some of the benefits of remote control.

1. The ability to have independent control of oscillator optimization while maintaining a constant phase delay.

2. The ability to propagate at low power to monitor the BTO behavior while offering almost instant high power capability for LGS operations.

3. The ability to develop a closed loop system to increase stability and reliability for SSA operation.

LGSF Stabilization- Equipment upgrades to improve reliability

Gemini North WP & SFG physical layout

Power Sensor Waveplate

USB2.0 Ophir Smart Head cable DB25 Motion Control

PS

PS

WP

WP

SFG

Ophir PM

Ophir 4 head Power Meter

Gemini North Upgrade ”Remote Operations” Current Hardware Procurement

Gemini North Upgrade ”Remote Operations” Current Hardware Procurement

Gemini North Upgrade ”Remote Operations” Current Hardware Procurement

Ophir - Smart Head to USB Interface and Four Channel Pulsar 1-4 Ophir basic smart head to USB interface for single channel and high speed Pulsar series for 1-4 channels turn your PC or laptop into a full fledged Ophir multi-channel laser power/energy meter. Just install the software, plug the head into the interface box and the USB cable from the box to the PC USB port. Using the USB Interface, you can connect several heads to the PC by using one box for each head and if necessary, a USB hub. With the Pulsar-4 ,Pulsar-2 and Pulsar-1 series, you can connect up to 4 heads to each box, monitor each pulse at up to 20KHz and utilize external trigger. The connection from each box to the PC is via one USB cable.

GN Laser Electronics Enclosure

Keyboard

Mouse

Monitor

Keyboard

Mouse

Monitor

To Laser Bench - PC USB

PC USB

PC USB

PC USB

PXI USB

PXI USB

BNC

BNC

PC power

PXI Power

KVM Project in Green Motion Control Project in Blue PC USB

PXI USB

New Communication

pass-through plate

GN Laser Enclosure “Laser Bench”

New Communication

pass-through plate

Motion Control Power Meters

Electro

nics C

abin

et – U

SB

US

B

BN

C

BN

C

12

Volt p

ow

er

pass-th

rou

gh

Gro

mm

et

10

64

WP

R - D

B2

5

13

19

WP

R - D

B2

5

SF

G L

inear A

ctuato

r – D

B2

5

1064 Waveplate Rotator

1319 Waveplate Rotator

SFG Linear Actuator

Ophir Power

Meter

1064 PS

1319 PS

Gemini North Laser Bench

Gemini North physical layout

Gemini North Electronics

Enclosure

WTI MPC-18H-1

Network Boot Bar

STEALTH 2000

DIAGNOSTICS PC

NI PXI LASER CONTROLLER

Newport

ESP-301

Motion controller

ATEN

CN8000

REMOTE IP MGR

ATEN

CN8000

REMOTE IP MGR

USB

DB25 PM

USB

110V Power USB

BNC

Purposed GN Bench Pass-through panel layout

8 inches

4.5 inches

9

inches

5.5 inches

Purposed GN Pass-through panel layout

Bench-top test at HBF – Motion control hardware and pass-through cables

Bench-top test at HBF Ophir power meter

Mechanical Fabrication of laser Bench

Waveplate Rotator installation

Waveplate Rotator installation

Waveplate Rotator installation

Some optical components were

adjusted and realigned to

optimize space for new

mechanical hardware

Waveplate Rotator and power meter installation

Two new applications were installed on the Stealth PC ESP-Utl - motion control utility Starlab - power meter monitoring software

ESP-Utl - motion control utility

Starlab - power meter monitoring software Head 1 – 1064nm D-pol power meter Head 2 – 1319nm D-pol power meter

Remote Laser Operations at Gemini North and Gemini South

Finally, we provide an overview of normal operation procedures

during LGS runs and present a snapshot of data accumulated over

several years that describes the overall LGS AO observing

efficiency at the Gemini North telescope.

GN LGSF Operation 2007B – 2010B

10% Target

Laser Nights

Only

2007B 2008A 2008B 2009A 2009B 2010A 2010B

Total 30.00 38.00 60.00 56.00 54.00 53.00 55.00

0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

70.00

To

tal N

igh

ts

Number of LGS Nights Scheduled

GN LGSF Operation 2007B – 2010B

2007B 2008A 2008B 2009A 2009B 2010A 2010B

Total 7.50 7.60 10.00 9.33 9.00 8.83 9.17

0.00

2.00

4.00

6.00

8.00

10.00

12.00

Av

era

ge o

f L

GS

Ho

urs

per

Nig

ht

Average Length of LGS Run

GN LGSF Operation 2007B – 2010B

2007B 2008A 2008B 2009A 2009B 2010A 2010B

Sum of total nights 30.00 38.00 60.00 56.00 54.00 53.00 55.00

Sum of weather 92.13 36.72 140.94 266.43 81.10 65.97 111.64

0.00

50.00

100.00

150.00

200.00

250.00

300.00N

um

ber

of

Ho

urs

per

sem

este

r

Sum Hours of Weather Loss on LGS Nights

GN LGSF Operation 2007B – 2010B

Aug-08

Sep-08

Oct-08

Nov-08

Dec-08

Jan-09

Feb-09

Mar-09

Apr-09

May-09

Jun-09

Jul-09

Aug-09

Sep-09

Oct-09

Nov-09

Dec-09

Jan-10

Feb-10

Mar-10

Apr-10

May-10

Jun-10

Jul-10

Aug-10

Sep-10

Oct-10

Nov-10

Dec-10

Jan-11

2008B 2009A 2009B 2010A 2010B

Total 7.0 12. 11. 11. 10. 9.0 13. 11. 9.0 11. 9.0 3.0 12. 7.0 13. 8.0 10. 4.0 6.0 13. 16. 10. 8.0 0.0 5.0 13. 15. 8.0 9.0 5.0

0.00

2.00

4.00

6.00

8.00

10.00

12.00

14.00

16.00

18.00

Nu

mb

er

of

Ho

urs

per

sem

este

r

Number of LGS Nights Scheduled

GN LGSF Operation 2007B – 2010B

2007B 2008A 2008B 2009A 2009B 2010A 2010B

Sum of %ALTAIR/night usabletime

28.91 27.74 23.27 14.24 13.14 7.37 4.16

Sum of total nights 30.00 38.00 60.00 56.00 54.00 53.00 55.00

0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

70.00

0.00

5.00

10.00

15.00

20.00

25.00

30.00

35.00

ALTAIR Time loss on LGS Nights

Continuing trend of

reliability improvement

of ALTAIR during

LGS nights

Improvement Activities

•SSA Monthly Debrief on

ALL FRS

•SW Releases

•ALTAIR Tiger Team

Percentage of

time loss per

night usable time

Laser Nights

Only

2007B 2008A 2008B 2009A 2009B 2010A 2010B

Sum of %Laser/night usable time 2.40 2.06 0.64 0.67 0.12 0.11 0.00

Sum of total nights 30.00 38.00 60.00 56.00 54.00 53.00 55.00

0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

70.00

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

GN Laser Reliability is Improving

Improvement Activities

•Execution of LGSF Stabilization

Plan (Staffing model, documentation,

training & certification)

•Monthly Laser Team Debrief

•Series of reliability HW upgrades

• Full-Time Night Operator instead of

laser Tech/Engineers (more focus on

Day-Time Eng Work)

•SSA Monthly Debrief on ALL FRS

Trend shows

improved Laser

System Reliability

Percentage of

time loss per

night usable time

GN Laser Faults BTO reliability is trending downwards

Warning

Trend: • BTO reliability data

points to need for

improvement activity

focused on BTO

system SW and HW

Percentage of

time loss per

night usable time

Improvement Activities

• SW trap added by Angelic to detect

BTO motor Runaway Q4 2009.

•EIT Team meeting in Oct 2009

•BTO is run in daytime in between

runs to capture more events- Checked

by Laser team.

•When BTO event occurs we run

debug script to dump CB.

2007B 2008A 2008B 2009A 2009B 2010A 2010B

Sum of %BTO/night usable time 0.00 1.23 0.44 4.74 2.78 3.16 1.28

Sum of total nights 30.00 38.00 60.00 56.00 54.00 53.00 55.00

0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

70.00

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

5.00

Summary and conclusion

Fully remote operation of the LGS from the Hilo base facility

HBF was initially trialed and then optimized and became the

standard operating procedure (SOP) for LGS operation in

December 2008 to present. So far remote laser operation has

worked very well.

In near future (2011) Gemini plans to offload night operation of

laser and propagation to Telescope Operator.

Presently, we are working on deploying and stabilising the GS

laser system and plan to use same model as GN to achieve

remote operation laser.

Acknowledgements Laser Ops are “handled” by a large group of staff.

Adrienne Notely, Korey Halsch, Rob Wyman, Jeff Donahue, Jeff

Jarboe, Kevin White, Maxime Boccas, Vincent Fesquet, Stan

Karewicz, John White, Jose Soto, Ramon Galvez, Mike Sheehan,

Rolando Rogers, Inger Jorgensen, Chad Trujillo, Chas Cavedoni,

Gelys Trancho, Angelic Ebbers, Matt Rippa, Tom Cummings,

Steve Hardash, Julian Christo, Clayton Ah Hee, Mike Beecher,

Gerry Brower, Simon Chan, Andy Flach, Andrew Serio, Tony

Matulonis, Jesse Ball, Matt Dillman, Dolores Coulson, Atsuko

Nitta, Rachel Mason, Bernie Walp, Brian Walls, Callie McNew,

Chris Yamasaki, Christian Schaeber, Claire Tanaka, Guastavo

Arriagada, Joel Garber, John Randrup, Jon Archambeau, Kathy

Roth, Layne Novak, Mathieu Bec, Paul Collins, Ricardo

Schiavon, Rosemary Pike, Thomas, Schneider, Tom Geballe,

Tony Oliver, Tony Baugh, ……………………….

Apologies if any name is overlooked..

Any Questions ?