Massively parallel hierarchical control system and method

A control method for controlling individually controllable electromagnetic signal directing elements of an external component, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a state translator subsystem comprising one or more processors, a state command from an external subsystem, the state translator subsystem for processing the state command and generating operational commands for controlling the elements of the external component to achieve a desired state or condition;
• receiving, by a programmable calibration command translation layer (PCCTL) subsystem, the operational commands and using the operational commands to generate granular level commands for controlling the elements;
• receiving, by a feedback layer subsystem, the granular level commands to generate final output commands which are applied to the elements, wherein the final output commands are modified as needed to control the elements in closed loop fashion;
• a first plurality of parallel communication channels independently communicating with the granular level commands from the feedback layer subsystem to each one of the elements in parallel fashion and receiving feedback signals back from the elements over the first plurality of parallel communication channels;
• and
• a second plurality of parallel communication channels coupling the PCCTL subsystem with the feedback layer subsystem supplying the granular level commands from the PCCTL subsystem to the feedback layer subsystem and receiving back the feedback signals from the feedback layer subsystem;
• and
• supplying, by a calibration subsystem in communication with the PCCTL subsystem, calibration information to the PCCTL subsystem to modify the granular level commands when needed.