Creating an Expert System Based Software for the Notification and Assistance with the Resolution of Telescope Faults

The W.M. Keck Observatory has two telescopes atop Mauna Kea that take advantage of adaptive optics including laser systems. Should equipment fail or conditions preclude observation then the problem typically requires a prompt response in order to get the astronomer back “on-sky” as soon as possible. In order to improve upon the current system, a research study is in progress to determine whether or not an expert system, would provide information to improve the operators’ and engineers’ ability to rectify problems. In order to test whether or not the expert system is a viable solution, a ‘sandbox’ environment has been created, which includes the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) database system and associated Alarm Handler (ALH).The expert system is essentially a program written in either C or Python which will take a few different inputs such as the name and group of the alarm, values from hardware such as temperature, and, possibly other alarms. Using those inputs the expert system will make an ‘educated’ decision as to the cause of the problem. Lastly, the system will be able to suggest solutions to augment observatory staff’s ability to resolve problems with the telescope more quickly, thereby increasing astronomers’ observing time and saving time and money for the observatory. In the future this project may be able to spread beyond the scope of just the AO system, and will be used for other systems of the telescopes as well.