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The ESO Paranal Observatory is the site of the UT4 YEPUN telescope, which accommodates four TOPTICA-MPB Laser Guide Star Units (LGSUs) within its Adaptive Optics Facility (AOF). Additionally, three similar laser systems are scheduled for installation, with each telescope housing one laser unit, resulting in a total of seven lasers at Paranal. Preparations are underway at the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) to integrate six more lasers. Recently we have introduced innovative strategies to guarantee the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of operations and technical maintenance. Pivotal initiatives include enhancing real-time monitoring of systems and subsystems. This approach enables a comprehensive evaluation of system usage, leading to optimized strategies and a 20% increase in the lifespan of critical components. Furthermore, the implementation of automated monitoring for critical system parameters has effectively decreased the necessity for visual inspections, thereby optimizing staffing allocation. The meticulous monitoring of environmental parameters within the telescope, coupled with the development of AI tools, facilitates the timely detection of deviations from technical specifications, triggering warnings and alarms. The AI tools also exhibit the potential to predict dangerous variations in the environment that affect system performance, enabling proactive measures to reduce troubleshooting time and ensuring data-driven interventions. The development of tools for comprehensive data analysis, covering health checks and operational logs of laser units, has resulted in a remarkable 25% reduction in staffing allocation for this activity. This streamlined process expedites fault analysis and facilitates the swift identification of the root cause of critical issues. Through the implementation of these strategic initiatives, we are not only enhancing the performance and longevity of the 4LGSF but also securing its sustained contribution to the scientific community. These efforts underscore our commitment to advancing technological capabilities and operational efficiency in astronomical research.
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