Observatory Sciences Ltd

Observatory Sciences provides services in the development, consultancy, training, and operational support of distributed control systems using the EPICS and Tango frameworks, as well as high-performance data acquisition systems for detectors systems.

Observatory Sciences has been delivering high-quality control systems for large scientific facilities for over 25 years, specialising in software for accelerators (including synchrotrons) and large telescopes. We work with both the scientific institutions, as well as manufacturers of equipment that will be used at these facilities.

We provide bespoke control system software tailored to the needs of individual clients. Many of these clients run facilities that are unique, often with new and ambitious scientific aims, and so the control software must reflect the cutting-edge features and technology of novel scientific systems. In some cases, the software we provide will be working in an already established environment and so our systems must conform with the environment and software standards adopted at the customer’s facility.

Our software is developed in collaboration with the customer, collaborating with Observatory Sciences consultants who are familiar with the science and technologies being used. Larger projects, which sometimes span several years, are often managed by a series of project reviews, typically starting with a preliminary design review and ending with the on-site commissioning and acceptance of the control system.

We use a wide variety of software technologies in our systems, including the programming languages Java, Python, C, C++ and LabVIEW running on Linux, Windows or VxWorks. We specialise in both EPICS and TANGO software frameworks which have been adopted by many large experimental facilities, but are also familiar with site-specific software frameworks adopted by some institutions.