A multimiddleware integration framework for enabling interoperability between long-lifecycle telescope control systems

Abstract

The 10.4-m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) began science operations in 2009 and is controlled by a distributed system based on CORBA/TAO, which complicates long-term maintenance and interoperability with modern subsystems and with new projects such as the EST and NRT. New telescope control systems increasingly rely on heterogeneous middleware technologies, each optimized for different communication needs, creating the challenge of reusing components without binding architectures to a single transport. We present a multimiddleware distributed component framework (MMDCF) based on Enterprise Integration Patterns that provides a unified, transport-agnostic programming model. Core patterns are mapped to multiple backends through pluggable adapters. A neutral in-memory message model and a hybrid router enable fan-out delivery and dynamic transport selection. This approach enables gradual CORBA migration, low-latency control paths and telemetry support, and cross-observatory component reuse for multidecadal operations.