Instrument
This figure shows the global MICADO architecture in "stand-alone" mode. On the left, you can see the various hardware subsystems, on the right the maintenance platform. (1) Calibration assembly, mounted next to relay optics, replicates ELT focal plane (later moves to MAORY bench); (2) relay optics to transfer ELT focal plane downward into MICADO (later exchanged for last MAORY mirror); (3) NGS WFS module, which rotates under the fixed cover, containing SCAO on top bench and the MAORY NGS WFS on a lower bench; (4) derotator and cryostat, surrounded by peripheral devices; (5) support structure, for rotating mass (cryostat and NGS WFS module) as well as fixed upper platform; (6) corotating platform with electronics cabinets (due to cable length limitations); (7) cable wrap for connection to external cabinets and services.
Major Subsystems
- Calibration assembly enables the calibration of the science instrument, by creating suitable sources in a focal plane matching that of the ELT.
- Relay optics transfer the ELT focal plane into the instrument. These will be used only in the stand-alone mode. With MAORY, they will be replaced by a single-fold mirror.
- NGS WFS module contains natural guide star wavefront sensors for the adaptive-optics systems, in particular for the SCAO system.
- Derotator rotates the entire cryostat and the NGS WFS module to match the orientation of the sky as seen by the instrument.
- Cryostat is the core of MICADO, and contains the cold optics instrument.
- Support structure keeps the various components at their necessary locations.
- Corotating platform and cable wrap allow much of the electronics to corotate with the instrument, keeping cable lengths short; the cable wrap enables access to external electronics and service supplies.
- Electronics facilitate control and monitoring signals, and also provide power for all devices.
- Control software supports observation preparation and execution, coordinating the operation of the instrument with the telescope and adaptive-optics systems.
- Pipeline software performs data processing for a quick look at the observatory, for archive and trending analyses, and for the user back home. It includes the data simulator SimCADO.
In this figure, you can see the functional architecture of the MICADO instrument in stand-alone configuration.
This figure shows an overview of the cold optics instrument baseline design.