SKAO telescope control system design and status

The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) is developing a sophisticated Telescope Control System to manage its two cutting-edge radio telescope arrays, the SKA Low Frequency Telescope and the SKA Mid Frequency Telescope. Located in Western Australia and South Africa respectively, these telescopes will operate across a broad frequency range, from 50 MHz to 15 GHz, with up to 131,072 antennas and 197 dishes spanning vast distances. The control system is designed to support incremental development, enabling early functionality during construction to facilitate integration and verification of other systems. This paper provides an overview of the system's design patterns, technology choices, achievements, and lessons learned, highlighting its role in advancing astronomical observations and data processing capabilities.

Vrcic, S., & Juerges, T. (2024). SKAO telescope control system design and status. Software and Cyberinfrastructure for Astronomy VIII, 2. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3018723