Validation of an integrated modeling methodology's closed-loop performanceprediction capability

This paper validates the integrated modeling methodology used for design an d performance evaluation of complex optomechanical systems, particularly sp aceborne interferometers, The methodology integrates structural modeling, o ptical modeling, and control system modeling and design into a common envir onment, the Integrated Modeling of Optical Systems software package. The va lidation uses the Micro-Precision Interferometer testbed, a ground-based, f ull-scale hardware model of a spaceborne interferometer. Parallel developme nt of the testbed and a corresponding integrated model enabled a unique opp ortunity to validate the modeling methodology with actual testbed measureme nts, This paper assesses the ability of the integrated modeling methodology to predict performance in a closed-loop configuration, namely with high-ba ndwidth optical control loops operational, The assessment is a comparison o f integrated model closed-loop predictions with testbed closed-loop measure ments, indicating that the integrated modeling methodology is accurate to w ithin a factor of two.