Simulation platform of Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor

Wavefront controller requires the datum from Adaptive Optical systems (AOs) based on Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor. In order to independently design and verify the algorithms in the wavefront controller, a platform to simulate the Hartmann sensor images was designed with a combination of hardware and software. The PC monitor software which is programmed by VC2010 and MATLAB generates the Hartmann output images with different parameters according to the structure and working principle of H-S (Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor). Meanwhile, it transfers commands and data mutually in the hardware circuit. The hardware platform based on FPGA is used to receive instructions, store data, output responding signals and images in standard Camera Link format in real-time according to the CCD timing. The verified and output results show that the simulated images conformed to the principle of H-S wavefront sensor, and the timing sequence and the speed fulfill the command.