Real Time Software, Hardware and Systems for Adaptive Optics, Instrumentation and Control
Riptide Realtime is a sole proprietorship that designs, develops, and builds electronic signal processing software, hardware, and systems for adaptive optics. Established by Tom Schneider and based in Topanga, California, the practice provides real-time laser beam reconstructor control systems, embedded systems, FPGA designs, and custom instrumentation for research, defense, and aerospace applications.
Tom SchneiderOwner
Develops complete wavefront reconstructor signal processing systems and high-speed deformable mirror interfaces with guaranteed maximum latency.
Implements FPGA- and real-time Linux-based wavefront reconstructors designed for deterministic operation.
Integrates fast interfaces supporting Xinetics, MEMs, and Optical Physics deformable mirrors.
Configures systems with camera interfaces supporting Camera Link standards and custom sensor geometries.
Designs and builds custom digital hardware, embedded systems, and PC board-level technologies.
Develops custom logic designs on Xilinx and Altera platforms using reusable logic cores.
Creates custom interface boards, including FMC-compliant mezzanine cards and fast PCIe interfaces.
Develops custom real-time software, drivers, and user interfaces for scientific instrumentation.
Configures real-time interactive control software featuring graphical alignment and diagnostic tools.
Writes kernel-level drivers for hardware interfacing and custom PCIe communication.
Provides custom prototype development and engineering consulting for complex digital systems.
Designs and builds specialized systems such as hyperspectral imaging and radar signal processing.
Assists optical engineers and scientists with bring-up, testing, and alignment of electro-optical components.
Defense · Aerospace · Research Facilities
Mount Wilson, CA · Research Facilities · 1995 · Client: Mount Wilson Observatory
Developed supporting software and hardware for two separate adaptive optics systems used with the historic 100-inch Hooker telescope at Mount Wilson.
White Sands, NM · Defense · Client: White Sands Missile Range
Provided a Beam Synchronizer and an adaptive optics wavefront reconstructor system for the MTHEL test bed at White Sands.