Wide-spectrum infrared polarization sensor and use method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a wide-spectrum infrared polarization sensor and a use method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of aerospace equipment manufacturing. The sensor comprises an optical lens, a focusing ring, a reference mirror, an upper cover plate, a polarization filter wheel, an infrared detector, a mechanical shell and an electrical assembly, the optical lens is fixedly connected with the upper cover plate, and the focusing ring is arranged between the optical lens and the upper cover plate; the reference mirror is fixed on the upper cover plate and is adjacent to the optical lens; a stand column of the polarization filter wheel is fixedly connected with the mechanical shell through a first opening in a top plate of the mechanical shell, and the upper cover plate covers the polarization filter wheel and is fixedly connected with the top plate. The infrared detector is embedded in a second opening of the top plate, and the second opening is formed under a filter lens of the polarization filter wheel and located at the focal plane of the optical lens; the electrical assembly is installed in the mechanical shell and processes and generates an infrared polarization image of the to-be-measured target. According to the invention, the imaging effect of the satellite target can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aerospace equipment manufacturing technology, and in particular to a broadband infrared polarization sensor and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Infrared radiation measurement technology in the aerospace field is based on the thermal radiation characteristics of objects. It captures the electromagnetic radiation of targets in the 0.75–1000 μm band through infrared detectors, and combines special infrared optical systems (and cryogenic cooling technology to suppress noise) to achieve high-precision data acquisition. This technology is widely used in missions such as Earth observation, deep space exploration and missile early warning.

[0003] In related technologies, targets with different materials and surface conditions emit or reflect infrared polarized light of various spectral bands at multiple angles, which have obvious differences and discriminability. Traditional infrared imaging devices often occupy a lot of hardware resources and it is difficult to accurately acquire infrared polarized images of these targets at long distances.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a broadband infrared polarization sensor and its usage method to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a broadband infrared polarization sensor and its usage method, which can solve the problems of complex operation and poor imaging effect in related technologies. The technical solution is as follows: On one hand, a broadband infrared polarization sensor is provided, the sensor including an optical lens, a focus ring, a reference mirror, a top cover plate, a polarization filter wheel, an infrared detector, a mechanical housing, and electrical components, wherein: The optical lens is fixedly connected to the upper cover plate, and the focusing ring is provided between the optical lens and the upper cover plate; The reference mirror is fixed to the upper cover plate and is adjacent to the optical lens; The column of the polarizing filter wheel is fixedly connected to the mechanical housing through the first opening of the top plate of the mechanical housing, and the upper cover plate covers the polarizing filter wheel and is fixedly connected to the top plate; The infrared detector is embedded in the second opening of the top plate. The second opening is located directly below the filter lens of the polarizing filter wheel and at the focal plane of the optical lens, so that the infrared detector can receive the light transmitted by the optical lens. The electrical components are installed inside the mechanical housing. The electrical components are used to drive the polarization filter wheel and the infrared detector according to the received control commands, and to process the detection results of the infrared detector to obtain an infrared polarization image of the target under test.

[0006] On the other hand, a method for using a broadband infrared polarization sensor is provided, the method comprising: The electrical components are used to drive the infrared detector to initialize and drive the polarization filter wheel to adjust, so that the infrared detector enters the normal imaging working mode. The optical lens is used to image the target under test onto the infrared detector, and the electrical components are used to process the detection results output by the infrared detector to obtain an infrared polarization image with false point information removed.

[0007] The technical solution provided by this invention offers at least the following advantages: Firstly, the overall design is simple and efficient, requiring minimal hardware resources and being easy to implement, significantly reducing development and maintenance complexity. Secondly, reliable imaging is achieved based on an infrared detector and polarization filter wheel, with stable thermal and polarization imaging effects, enabling accurate acquisition of target location information under complex conditions such as illumination and shadow. Thirdly, the sensor's overall size and weight are small, making it suitable for aerospace engineering applications and offering good engineering practical benefits. Furthermore, through radiation-resistant, mechanically robust, and thermally designed components, a miniaturized design of a large-area, wide-spectrum infrared detector element is achieved, making it suitable for designing infrared products related to photoelectric measurement and sensing in complex space environments. Attached Figure Description

[0008] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0009] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of a broadband infrared polarization sensor provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view of a broadband infrared polarization sensor provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is an electrical component architecture diagram provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] 1- Optical lens; 2-Focusing ring; 3-Reference mirror; 4-Top cover plate; 5-Polarizing filter wheel; 51-Column; 6-Infrared detector; 7-Mechanical casing. Detailed Implementation

[0011] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0012] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 This invention provides a broadband infrared polarization sensor, which includes an optical lens 1, a focus ring 2, a reference mirror 3, a top cover plate 4, a polarizing filter wheel 5, an infrared detector 6, a mechanical housing 7, and electrical components, wherein: The optical lens 1 is fixedly connected to the upper cover plate 4, and the focusing ring 2 is provided between the optical lens 1 and the upper cover plate 4. Specifically, the optical lens 1 is fixed to the upper cover plate 4 by six countersunk screws, and the position of the focusing ring 2 is reserved below the optical lens 1. The thickness of the focusing ring 2 is controlled within the range of 3mm±1mm.

[0013] The reference mirror 3 is fixed to the upper cover plate 4 and is adjacent to the optical lens 1; The column 51 of the polarizing filter wheel 5 is fixedly connected to the mechanical housing 7 through the first opening of the top plate of the mechanical housing 7, and the upper cover plate 4 covers the polarizing filter wheel 5 and is fixedly connected to the top plate. The infrared detector 6 is embedded in the second opening of the top plate. The second opening is located directly below the filter lens of the polarizing filter wheel 5 and at the focal plane of the optical lens 1, so that the infrared detector 6 can receive the light transmitted by the optical lens 1. The electrical components are installed inside the mechanical housing 7. The electrical components are used to drive the polarization filter wheel 5 and the infrared detector 6 according to the received control commands, and process the detection results of the infrared detector 6 to obtain the infrared polarization image of the target under test.

[0014] In this embodiment of the invention, the infrared detector 6 is preferably an uncooled infrared detector 6, and the distance between the polarizing filter wheel 5 and the infrared detector 6 is controlled within the range of 3mm ± 0.1mm.

[0015] Furthermore, the mechanical housing 7 is a prism, and the outer frame of the top plate is provided with mounting ears to fix the mechanical housing 7 to the satellite structure by screws; the top plate is also provided with a third opening for installing and fixing the target simulator. The position of the opening can be adjusted according to actual needs, and no specific opening position is limited here.

[0016] Furthermore, the electrical components include probe circuits, DPU circuits, polarizing filter wheel 5 drive circuits, and secondary power supply circuits, each disposed on different circuit boards, wherein: each circuit board is arranged and mounted in a stacked manner inside the mechanical housing 7, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the four layers below, from top to bottom, are the probe circuit board, the DPU circuit board, the polarizing filter wheel 5 drive circuit board, and the secondary power supply circuit board; each of the circuit boards is electrically connected through a stacked internal connector.

[0017] like Figure 3 As shown, the circuit board of the DPU circuit is equipped with an FPGA and an HI5339 chip. The FPGA is used to initialize the infrared detector 6 and perform image processing on the video image signal of the target to be tested output by the infrared detector 6 to obtain the initial image information stored in the SRAM. The HI5339 chip is used to perform scene information detection on the initial image information stored in the SRAM and to package the imaging information after removing false point information.

[0018] Specifically, when the sensor is powered on, the program information loaded into the FLASH by the FGPA begins the initialization process. By controlling the infrared imaging timing of the uncooled infrared detector 6, loading the configuration parameters of the infrared detector 6, performing pixel-level OOC data correction of the infrared detector 6, and correcting the non-uniformity of the output image data of the infrared detector 6, the sensor switches to the normal imaging working mode.

[0019] Next, the optical lens 1 images the target onto the uncooled infrared detector 6. The uncooled infrared detector 6 completes the conversion of photoelectric signals and outputs video image signals according to the infrared imaging timing control requirements. The FGPA performs image filtering, background threshold determination, etc. on the video signal and stores the processing results in SRAM.

[0020] Subsequently, the HI3559 performs scene information detection on the initial image information stored in SRAM. Based on the infrared polarization target detection algorithm, it removes some false point information and packages and outputs imaging information such as the target's orientation, target attributes, temperature information, and background threshold.

[0021] In this embodiment of the invention, the circuit board of the probe circuit is connected to the infrared detector 6 via a flexible strip, and the closer they are, the better. The circuit board of the probe circuit is used to drive the infrared detector 6 to acquire image data according to the control commands.

[0022] In this embodiment of the invention, the circuit board of the polarizing filter wheel 5 driving circuit is used to drive the polarizing filter wheel 5 to rotate to the target filter according to the control command. The polarizing filter wheel 5 rotates around the mechanical axis inside the column 51, and its axial runout is controlled within 5µm by tools such as a micrometer. The distance between the polarizing filter wheel 5 and the infrared detector 6 is controlled within the range of 3mm±0.1mm.

[0023] In embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 3 As shown, the sensor also includes an external test device that communicates with the electrical component via an RS422 interface: the external test device sends control commands and satellite operation information, including satellite time information and attitude information, to the electrical component via the RS422 interface; the external test device receives target imaging results output by the electrical component, such as temperature telemetry information and configuration parameter information, and other results and data, via the RS422 interface.

[0024] It is worth noting that the sensor designed in this embodiment weighs no more than 1800 grams, and its overall size and weight are relatively small, making it suitable for aerospace engineering applications and providing good engineering practice benefits.

[0025] Based on the aforementioned sensor, this invention provides a method for using a broadband infrared polarization sensor, the method comprising: The infrared detector 6 is initialized using the electrical components, and the polarization filter wheel 5 is adjusted so that the infrared detector 6 enters the normal imaging working mode. The optical lens 1 is used to image the target under test onto the infrared detector 6, and the electrical components are used to process the detection results output by the infrared detector 6 to obtain an infrared polarization image with false point information removed.

[0026] It should be noted that the usage method of the broadband infrared polarization sensor provided in the above embodiments belongs to the same concept as the broadband infrared polarization sensor embodiments. For details of its implementation process, please refer to the sensor embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0027] Finally, it should be noted that in this document, relational terms such as first, second, third, and fourth are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0028] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A broadband infrared polarization sensor, characterized in that, The sensor includes an optical lens, a focus ring, a reference mirror, a top cover plate, a polarizing filter wheel, an infrared detector, a mechanical housing, and electrical components, wherein: The optical lens is fixedly connected to the upper cover plate, and the focusing ring is provided between the optical lens and the upper cover plate; The reference mirror is fixed to the upper cover plate and is adjacent to the optical lens; The column of the polarizing filter wheel is fixedly connected to the mechanical housing through the first opening of the top plate of the mechanical housing, and the upper cover plate covers the polarizing filter wheel and is fixedly connected to the top plate; The infrared detector is embedded in the second opening of the top plate. The second opening is located directly below the filter lens of the polarizing filter wheel and at the focal plane of the optical lens, so that the infrared detector can receive the light transmitted by the optical lens. The electrical components are installed inside the mechanical housing. The electrical components are used to drive the polarization filter wheel and the infrared detector according to the received control commands, and to process the detection results of the infrared detector to obtain an infrared polarization image of the target under test.

2. The sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical components include a probe circuit, a DPU circuit, a polarizing filter wheel drive circuit, and a secondary power supply circuit, each disposed on different circuit boards, wherein: Each circuit board is arranged and mounted in a stacked manner inside the mechanical housing; Each of the circuit boards is electrically connected via a stacked internal connector.

3. The sensor as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The DPU circuit board is equipped with an FPGA and a HI5339 chip, wherein: The FPGA is used to initialize the infrared detector and perform image processing on the video image signal of the target to be tested output by the infrared detector to obtain the initial image information stored in the SRAM. The HI5339 chip is used to perform scene information detection on the initial image information stored in the SRAM and to package the imaging information after removing false point information.

4. The sensor as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The circuit board of the probe circuit is connected to the infrared detector via a flexible strip. The circuit board of the probe circuit is used to drive the infrared detector to acquire image data according to the control command.

5. The sensor as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The circuit board of the polarizing filter wheel drive circuit is used to drive the polarizing filter wheel to rotate to the target filter according to the control command, and the rotation speed of the polarizing filter wheel is less than 5µm / s.

6. The sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The mechanical housing is a prism, and the outer frame of the top plate is provided with mounting ears to fix the mechanical housing to the satellite structure by screws.

7. The sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the polarizing filter wheel and the infrared detector is 3mm ± 0.1mm.

8. The sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the focusing ring is 3mm ± 1mm.

9. The sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor also includes an external testing device that communicates with the electrical components via an RS422 interface. The external testing equipment sends control commands and satellite operation information to the electrical components through the RS422 interface; The external testing equipment receives the target imaging results output by the electrical components through the RS422 interface.

10. A method of using a broadband infrared polarization sensor, characterized in that, Applied to the sensor as described in any one of claims 1-9, the method comprises: The electrical components are used to drive the infrared detector to initialize and drive the polarization filter wheel to adjust, so that the infrared detector enters the normal imaging working mode. The optical lens is used to image the target under test onto the infrared detector, and the electrical components are used to process the detection results output by the infrared detector to obtain an infrared polarization image with false point information removed.

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