  The performance of a wide-field adaptive optics system depends on input
design parameters. Here we investigate the performance of a multi-conjugate
adaptive optics system design for the European Extremely Large Telescope, using
an end-to-end Monte-Carlo adaptive optics simulation tool, DASP. We consider
parameters such as the number of laser guide stars, sodium layer depth,
wavefront sensor pixel scale, number of deformable mirrors, mirror conjugation
and actuator pitch. We provide potential areas where costs savings can be made,
and investigate trade-offs between performance and cost. We conclude that a 6
laser guide star system using 3 DMs seems to be a sweet spot for performance
and cost compromise.
