Advanced Control Algorithms

Relation to the Einstein Telescope

Advanced control algorithms are used to control and monitor the interferometers. Control noise must be reduced at low frequencies. A qualitative feedback on the stability of the interferometers is expected from the control.

Current interferometers are disturbed by singular events (so-called glitches, some are results of mini-earthquakes others sources are unknown). The interferometers loose their working point and it takes a substantial amount of time to get them back into operation. By proactively responding to disruptions – using a safety point allows a quick return to the normal range – telescope downtime can be minimised.

Innovation

• Better handling of non-linear controls
• Ability to handle exceptional events (glitches, mini-earthquakes) – if the operating point is lost, the use of a second control stage enables a faster return to the normal range.
• Massive processing of sensor data in real-time (reconstruction of seismic waves) and special requirements due to data complexity:
• To enable real-time and high speed processing, the implementation of AI methods in FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) systems is required
• AI solutions are required due to the high number of signals and control options as well as their correlations with each other.
• Extraction of a quantitative status reference from the controls (estimate of the current noise-performance), i.e. the current control performance and quality must be derived from the control signals.
• Less noise introduced by the controls (minimising sensor noise is not part of this technology, but part of sensor development!)

The use of a second control level via safety points can be transferred to other applications, for example to industrial plants in the event of voltage fluctuations in the grid. Likewise, when assessing the current control quality, transferability to production plants is conceivable by making it clear when a plant was well regulated.

By implementing AI hardware via FPGA systems, the systems can also be used for other AI problems. The findings of a wave-field reconstruction are in principle transferable to areas that deal with waves of different types (e.g. sound), for example in the regulation of acoustic systems (event acoustics, concerts/music events).

References

For further information and more details about this technology field, please check the following Einstein Telescope Design Reports.

E-TEST Conceptual Design Report:

Einstein Telescope Conceptual Design Report:

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