Normal-temperature high-performance testing device for ground test of space long-wave imaging system

Abstract

The application discloses a normal-temperature high-performance testing device for ground testing of a space long-wave imaging system and belongs to the technical field of imaging testing. The device comprises a main cabin and an auxiliary cabin for placing a product to be tested, and an environment temperature required by testing is provided in the auxiliary cabin. The main cabin is a sealed cavity, and long-wave infrared light is generated in the cabin and irradiated to an entrance pupil of the product to be tested in the auxiliary cabin. The application can reduce background radiation noise of the normal-temperature testing device without using a space vacuum chamber or cooling optical elements, and can perform various types of testing at a relatively low cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a high-performance, room-temperature testing device for ground testing of space long-wavelength imaging systems, belonging to the field of modern imaging testing technology. Background Technology

[0002] Space-based long-wave infrared imaging systems have wide applications in both military and civilian fields. They collect long-wavelength light signals emitted by objects and form digital images. The accuracy of their detection performance directly affects the system's ability to perform space missions. Generally, ground-based performance testing of space-based long-wave infrared imaging systems requires a corresponding vacuum cryogenic testing system. The preparation process, from setup to performance testing and final results, is time-consuming and costly. To improve the efficiency of performance testing of space-based long-wave infrared imaging systems and reduce time and economic costs, existing vacuum cryogenic testing systems need to be upgraded. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem solved by this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and propose a high-performance, room-temperature testing device for ground testing of space long-wave imaging systems.

[0004] The technical solution of this invention is:

[0005] A high-performance, room-temperature testing device for ground testing of space long-wave imaging systems, including a main cabin and an auxiliary cabin;

[0006] The auxiliary chamber contains the product under test and provides the required ambient temperature for testing.

[0007] The main chamber is a sealed cavity, and long-wave infrared light generated inside the chamber shines onto the entrance pupil of the product under test in the auxiliary chamber.

[0008] Preferably, the main cabin includes a target simulation source, a collimating optical system, a motion platform, and a cryogenic radiation source;

[0009] The target simulation source generates long-wave infrared light that simulates the radiation characteristics of the target, and the collimating optical system converts it into parallel light for emission.

[0010] The motion platform carries the target simulation source, and simulates the motion state of the target by controlling the target source to perform one-dimensional motion within the image plane range of the collimating optical system.

[0011] The low-temperature radiation source emits low-temperature radiation to cool the main cabin, and the low-temperature radiation provided is less than 180K.

[0012] Preferably, the collimating optical system includes a gold-plated plate and a collimator;

[0013] The gold-plated plate is a smooth metal plate with a gold-plated surface, which reflects the low-temperature radiation generated by the low-temperature radiation source. The center of the gold-plated plate has an aperture of the size of a simulated light spot, which is used to transmit long-wave infrared light generated by the target simulated source and project the long-wave infrared light onto the collimator.

[0014] The collimator is an off-axis collimator that converts incident long-wave infrared light into parallel light and illuminates the entrance pupil of the product being tested.

[0015] Preferably, the motion platform controls the target simulation source to perform one-dimensional motion at the image plane position of the collimator.

[0016] Preferably, the target simulation source is a low-temperature blackbody, and the temperature range for adjustment covers -120℃ to 80℃.

[0017] Preferably, the auxiliary chamber is equipped with a second motion platform, on which the product under test is located to control the relative position of the entrance pupil of the product under test and the collimator.

[0018] Preferably, both the main cabin and the auxiliary cabin are filled with nitrogen.

[0019] Preferably, the main cabin is also equipped with a target intensity attenuator, which adjusts the strength of the simulated target signal by changing the attenuation of the long-wave infrared light signal emitted by the target radiation source.

[0020] Preferably, dew point detectors are installed at different locations within the main cabin to monitor the water vapor density within the main cabin in real time.

[0021] Preferably, an automatic gate valve is installed between the main cabin and the auxiliary cabin to control the connection and disconnection between the two cabins.

[0022] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are:

[0023] (1) This invention does not require a large amount of cold source for cooling. It only uses the radiation cooling of the low temperature radiation source to conduct relevant tests without reaching the deep cryogenic state. This solves the problem that traditional vacuum low temperature test systems require a large amount of liquid nitrogen to cool and keep the equipment in the chamber for a long time during the preparation process.

[0024] (2) This invention exhausts the water vapor and carbon dioxide in the cabin by filling with nitrogen, which solves the problems of long time and high cost in the preparation of traditional vacuum cryogenic test systems, such as the need for vacuuming. This lays the foundation for large-scale testing and application of space long-wave infrared imaging systems.

[0025] (3) In this invention, the optical path transmission process only passes through reflectors, without correction mirrors and lenses, which reduces the influence of self-radiation of correction mirrors and lenses.

[0026] (4) Based on meeting the ground performance testing requirements of long-wave infrared imaging system, the present invention achieves an equivalent blackbody radiation temperature of about 180K for the background noise of the system, which effectively reduces the background noise of the testing device. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a high-performance, room-temperature testing device for ground testing of a space long-wave imaging system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure and to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0030] This invention proposes a high-performance, room-temperature testing device for ground testing of space long-wavelength imaging systems, such as... Figure 1 As shown, two sealed chambers, one large and one small, are connected via an automatic gate valve. The smaller chamber serves as the auxiliary chamber, housing the product under test and providing a suitable working environment for it, offering different ambient temperatures depending on the testing requirements.

[0031] The main compartment houses a target simulation source, a collimating optical system, a target source motion platform, a cryogenic radiation source, and a target intensity attenuator. The radiation signal from the target simulation source is converted into parallel light by the collimating optical system and emitted. The motion platform simulates the target's motion by controlling the target source's one-dimensional motion within the image plane of the collimating optical system. The cryogenic radiation source generates a cold background radiation signal, which is also emitted through the collimating optical system.

[0032] The target simulation source is a blackbody source, primarily used to generate radiation characteristics that can simulate distant targets. The cryogenic radiation source provides a cold background environment through radiative cooling.

[0033] The collimating optical system includes a gold-plated plate and a collimator. The gold-plated plate is a smooth, flat metal plate with a gold-plated surface that reflects the low-temperature radiation from the low-temperature radiation source. Simultaneously, a central aperture, simulating the size of a light spot, is provided in the center of the gold-plated plate to allow the radiation signal from the target radiation source to pass through. The collimator is an off-axis collimator that converts the point target signal emitted from the target radiation source into parallel light for transmission.

[0034] The target intensity attenuator is used to control the strength of the signal emitted by the device, simulating the magnitude of the target's radiated energy.

[0035] The motion platform is a one-dimensional motion platform used to support the target radiation source and the gold-plated plate, and is used to simulate the one-dimensional motion of the target.

[0036] The low-temperature radiation source, with a temperature below 180K, is used to reduce background radiation on the target radiation path. By utilizing the cold background provided by the low-temperature radiation source and the low-temperature radiation reflected by the gold-plated mirror, the equivalent blackbody radiation temperature of the system background noise reaches approximately 180K, effectively reducing the background noise of the testing device.

[0037] Both chambers are filled with nitrogen to reduce water vapor content and prevent frost and fogging on the optical lens surfaces under low-temperature radiation. An automatic gate valve easily controls the connection between the main and auxiliary chambers, facilitating switching between tested products and enabling testing of multiple batches of products. During test preparation, the automatic gate valve is closed to ensure no interference between the two chambers. During the test, the automatic gate valve opens to ensure unimpeded transmission of the radiation signal from the simulated target in the main chamber to the optical path of the tested product in the auxiliary chamber. The long-wave infrared light radiated by the simulated target source illuminates the entrance pupil of the tested product through the aperture and collimator on the gold-plated plate, thus completing the ground testing task.

[0038] The testing method using this device is as follows:

[0039] (1) Open the auxiliary compartment and install the product to be tested;

[0040] (2) Open the main cabin and adjust the status of the target simulation source and collimating optical system according to the test requirements;

[0041] (3) Close the main cabin and auxiliary cabin, close the automatic gate valve, and start filling the two cabins with nitrogen;

[0042] (4) Pay attention to the measurement results of the dew point detector. When the water vapor content in the cabin reaches the test requirements, provide a cold source to the low temperature radiation source.

[0043] (5) Adjust the setting temperature of the target simulation source and the attenuation rate of the target intensity attenuator according to the test requirements;

[0044] (6) Open the automatic gate valve, start the product under test, and perform imaging tests on the simulated target according to the test requirements;

[0045] (7) Adjust the attenuation rate of the target intensity attenuator, the setting temperature and position of the target simulation source according to the test requirements, and perform imaging test on the product under test.

[0046] (8) After the test data is interpreted and the test objective is achieved, the test ends, the tested product is turned off, and the target simulation source is turned off.

[0047] (9) Close the automatic gate valve, fill the two compartments with air, and vent the nitrogen;

[0048] (10) Once the oxygen concentration in the two chambers reaches the required level, open the two chambers, remove the tested product, and the test process ends.

[0049] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. Ordinary variations and substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-performance, room-temperature testing device for ground testing of a space long-wavelength imaging system, characterized in that, Including the main cabin and auxiliary cabins; The auxiliary chamber contains the product to be tested and provides the required ambient temperature for testing. The main chamber is a sealed cavity, and long-wave infrared light generated inside the chamber shines on the entrance pupil of the product under test in the auxiliary chamber. The main cabin includes a target simulation source, a collimating optical system, a motion platform, and a cryogenic radiation source; The target simulation source generates long-wave infrared light that simulates the radiation characteristics of the target, and the collimating optical system converts it into parallel light for emission. The motion platform carries the target simulation source, and simulates the target's motion state by controlling the target source to perform one-dimensional motion within the image plane of the collimating optical system; the cryogenic radiation source emits cryogenic radiation to cool the main cabin, and the cryogenic radiation provided is less than 180K. The collimating optical system includes a gold-plated plate and a collimator; the gold-plated plate is a smooth metal plate with a gold-plated surface, which reflects the low-temperature radiation generated by the low-temperature radiation source; the center of the gold-plated plate has an aperture of the size of a simulated light spot, which is used to transmit long-wave infrared light generated by the target simulated source and project the long-wave infrared light onto the collimator; the collimator is an off-axis collimator, which converts the incident long-wave infrared light into parallel light and illuminates the entrance pupil of the product under test. The target simulation source is a low-temperature blackbody, with an adjustable temperature range covering -120℃ to 80℃; Both the main cabin and the auxiliary cabin were filled with nitrogen. The main cabin is also equipped with a target intensity attenuator, which adjusts the strength of the simulated target signal by changing the attenuation of the long-wave infrared light signal emitted by the target radiation source.

2. The high-performance, room-temperature testing device for ground testing of a space long-wavelength imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The motion platform controls the target simulation source to perform one-dimensional motion at the image plane position of the collimator.

3. The high-performance, room-temperature testing device for ground testing of a space long-wavelength imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The auxiliary chamber is equipped with a second motion platform, on which the product under test is located to control the relative position of the entrance pupil of the product under test and the collimator.

4. The high-performance, room-temperature testing device for ground testing of a space long-wavelength imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Dew point detectors are installed at different locations within the main cabin to monitor the water vapor density in the main cabin in real time.

5. The high-performance, room-temperature testing device for ground testing of a space long-wavelength imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, An automatic gate valve is installed between the main cabin and the auxiliary cabin to control the connection and disconnection between them.

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