Methods for integrated simulation of high-precision space opto-mechanical systems

Each disciplinary has its own modeling and analysis tools to solve its own specific field problems. In order to achieve integrated simulation of high precision space optical systems and predict optical performance respective to the mechanical and thermal loads, data must pass through different analysis tools. Simulation tools used in the thermal, structural and optical design process and the relationship among them were first depicted and the integrated simulation methods were described in detail. Zernike polynomial fitting methods and interpolating approaches were also demonstrated. Because of the orthogonality of Zernike polynomials, it was not probably used in some situations such as noncircular apertures and discrete data, and the coupling of Zernike polynomial coefficients and other methods were also introduced in the paper. The toolkit OMTIA (Optical, Mechanical and Thermal Integrated Analyzer) based on the methods was developed, which appears as an indispensable tool for engineering practice.