Integrated modeling tools for large ground based optical telescopes

Diffraction-limited performance of 30-m class telescopes requires the integration of structural, optical and control systems to sense and counteract real time disturbances to the telescope. Accurate simulation of an integrated telescope model is essential for optical performance estimation and design validation. Our approach to integrated time domain modeling of large telescopes is to interface commercially available structural,optical and control modeling software packages. The model architecture, data structures, and the interfacing tools of the simulation environment are presented. Preliminary simulation results of a 30-m class telescope subject to wind load and a ground layer phase screen are presented.