FastCam: Real-Time Implementation of the Lucky Imaging Technique using FPGA

Abstract

FastCam project combines the features of the lucky imaging technique for astronomical imaging through the Earth's atmosphere, with the real-time processing capabilities of re- configurable logic. An acquisition, processing and communication system based exclusively on reconfigurable hardware has been developed and tested at laboratory and telescopes. The proposed approach uses FPGAs and their natural parallel arrangements to achieve a just one chip implementation of the whole system. Exceptional both astronomical and technological results have been obtained by using the instrument in real medium- sized telescopes. As for FPGAs, the robust, versatile and high speed architecture built shows that this technology is not only a viable solution but probably also the best one. Regarding astronomy, the spatial resolution of the telescopes has been enhanced to their diffraction limit, obtaining clear benefit from the real-time display of the processed images.