Product

SCOPE

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Command & Control System for Laser Stations

It is essential that every part of a Satellite Laser Ranging system (SLR) operates precisely as well as the overall coordination of subsystem interaction is running optimally to achieve very high measurement accuracies. Our sophisticated command & control system “SCOPE” makes sure that the SLR operation works like a charm and is easy to use by the observers!

DiGOS-SCOPE-Tracking-Screen

Tracking Screen

OVERVIEW

Real Time

SCOPE comprises a modern user interface and central daemon software running the the background to command and control all hardware and security components in real-time. It allows to perform all SLR operations, observations and monitoring remotely, too. We also offer our complete SLR system simulator for verification, troubleshooting, training and demonstration.

Fully Integrated Package

SCOPE covers all features that are expected from modern SLR software for kHz systems and can be easily extended to support new user requirements and new applications. We provide SCOPE as a fully integrated package for specific SLR systems as well as tailored solutions to meet special customer requirements.

A new planning component allows the SLR system operator to comfortably create & schedule observation plans some days or weeks in advance!

Graphical UI May Be Run Remotely

SCOPE is designed to operate on a single workstation or can be separated on two workstations for remote operation.
The software package is written in C, C++ and Python. All timing critical parts can run on a Real-Time Linux to support very high command and control accuracies with jitters of +/-5µs despite e.g. high I/O load or cache pollution.

Key Features
Benefit from a mature core system comprising astro-physical algorithms, precise timing, workflows and monitoring
Easy to use GUI for the common observers plus detailed system interaction, monitoring & configuration for SLR experts.
SLR system initialization, calibration, satellite & space debris tracking, star observation, planning, different operation modes, semi-automatic operation, etc.
Available for verification, algorithm & timing tests, replay of passes, internal trainings and demonstration to visitors.
Ready to integrate new hardware components, interfaces, software modules, operation modes, algorithms and other extensions.
Unlimited number of targets, day/night profiles, go/no-go flags, optical devices setup, different hardware profiles for multiple lasers, detectors and measurement systems switchable during run-time.

SCOPE now features a laser communications module, allowing an entirely new mode of operation. SCOPE’s stability and control feature set makes it the perfect choice for system control over modern laser communication systems.

Towards Automation. SCOPE’s advanced operator assistance features take the pain out of tracking operations. Sophisticated searching patterns, time bias integration, return rate management and more are all simplified with SCOPE’s assistance systems. SCOPE is ready to go for remote site operation, and automated operation is coming very soon.
Technical Background

System Environment & Architecture

The system was implemented in C/C++ and Python and documented using Doxygen. It includes an SLR system simulator designed for verification, demonstration, training, and the gradual extension of the system through the easy integration of new hardware components. The build system also provides a dedicated testing environment. In addition, the architecture follows a clear separation of concerns by separating the presentation layer, application logic, and hardware access.

SLR-system-simulator-Scope-DiGOS-Potsdam
DiGOS-SCOPE-Available-Passes

Hardware Environment

It runs on modern Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) workstation(s). A Linux platform ensures long-term maintainability and enables easy hardware upgrades in the future. The system also provides versatile support for hardware interfaces and extensions.

Multi Static Debris Tracking

SCOPE & RGG measured photons reflected from debris targets like SeaSat and two rocket bodies

Successful tracking campaign together with SLR system at IWF Graz

New “multi-static operation mode” is now available for all SCOPE deployments

SCOPE supports multi-static space debris tracking

DiGOS demonstrated for DLR the multi-static space debris tracking capabilities of the SLR system in Potsdam. In a dedicated campaign the colleagues from the IWF Graz SLR system illuminated different space debris targets with a powerful laser and single, reflected photons were measured in Potsdam.

multi-static-space-debris-observations

image by AIUB