TMT Project ("TMT") Supplier Conference

For the Thirty Meter Telescope Early Light Facility Adaptive Optics ("AO") System Real Time Controller ("RTC")

January 29, 2008

The TMT Project is pleased to announce the TMT RTC Supplier Conference that will be held on January 29, 2008 at the TMT Observatory Corporation offices located at 2632 East Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107. The purpose of this one-day conference is to review the requirements and objectives for the conceptual design of the early light facility AO system (also called NFIRAOS) RTC.

The NFIRAOS RTC is one of the most challenging AO components of the TMT early light facility AO system. It is responsible for the real time atmospheric turbulence compensation and will implement advanced wavefront reconstruction algorithms along with new computing hardware approaches.

The main goals of the conceptual design study (ies) are (i) the definition of the hardware architecture that shall be optimally suited to the wavefront reconstruction algorithms recommended by TMT and (ii) the development of detailed cost and schedule estimates for the Final Design and Fabrication of the NFIRAOS RTC, which will be procured in our construction phase, scheduled to begin in April 2009.

Qualified Organizations interested in developing the NFIRAOS RTC Conceptual Design are required to contact TMT to confirm availability and make reservations. Reservations are required so that we can ensure adequate facilities and plan for lunch, which will be provided by TMT. Please call Holly Novack at 626-395-1602 or email her at hnovack@tmt.org by January 18, 2008 with the number of people planning to attend. We will be happy to arrange a video connection for remote suppliers.

The agenda for the Conference is presented below. Technical discussions will be held in the morning, with questions and answers after each talk. The afternoon will be reserved for breakout sessions with organizations who wish to discuss their proprietary information. TMT does not plan to provide additional technical information regarding the RTC during breakout sessions. Reservations for these appointments will be on a first come basis and should be requested prior to the meeting. Prior arrangements should also be made to receive a TMT Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) if it is required for these talks. Appointments for the Breakout Sessions can be made by calling or emailing Holly Novack.

TMT's presentations will be posted on our website before the conference.

The RFP for the NFIRAOS RTC CoDR is scheduled to be issued in February 2008. Proposals will be due in 30 days. Contract awards are expected to be granted in May 2008 with 6 months to complete the proposed effort.

The RFP will be open to all qualified bidders, including universities and federally funded research centers (FFRCs). The RFP will also be posted on the TMT website.

We look forward to seeing you at our Supplier Conference. For reservations, please feel free to contact Holly Novack (hnovack@tmt.org). For all other questions, please contact Pratheep Eamranond (pratheep@tmt.org). Agenda Tuesday January 29, 2007: