Angled-Side Optoelectronic Detectors for Compact Spacecraft Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic image recording systems for high-resolution earth observation face challenges in achieving a compact design due to rectangular detector housings, leading to unused space and inefficient use of the image plane or focal plane, and require multiple detectors that cannot be arranged side by side to cover a larger area with sufficient pixel overlap, resulting in performance degradation and high data rates.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a detector with a carrier substrate featuring obliquely angled sides and beveled ends, allowing for a more compact arrangement of detectors with overlapping rows, integrated signal processing and readout circuits, and the use of optical modules for signal transmission, reducing the size of the image plane or focal plane and increasing integration density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rectangular detector housings are used, then detectors can be easily manufactured and assembled, but unused space is created between detector rows and the image plane area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the detector housing from a conventional rectangular shape to a trapezoidal shape with one beveled side. This asymmetric design allows detectors to be arranged in a staggered pattern, eliminating unused space between rows and reducing the overall image plane area while maintaining ease of manufacturing through standardized production processes.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple detectors are arranged side by side to cover larger area, then imaging coverage increases, but pixel overlap becomes insufficient and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane rectangular arrangement to a multi-dimensional staggered configuration using beveled edges. This allows detectors to overlap in both horizontal and diagonal dimensions, ensuring sufficient pixel overlap across the entire imaging area while maintaining high reliability and performance across the expanded coverage.
3Reliability
If detector rows are arranged with sufficient pixel overlap, then imaging reliability improves, but the image plane area and optics size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where beveled detector rows are staggered and overlapping like nested dolls. This configuration allows each detector to share pixels with adjacent detectors in a compact pattern, maintaining sufficient overlap for reliable imaging while minimizing the total image plane area and reducing optics size.
4Productivity
If integration density is increased at the image plane, then system performance improves, but detector arrangement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detector array into modular trapezoidal units with standardized beveled edges. This segmentation allows for high integration density through compact staggered arrangement while keeping individual detector units simple and manageable, thus reducing overall arrangement complexity despite increased density.
Data Source
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AI summary
Detector (100, 200, 300, 400) for image acquisition, in particular for an optoelectronic image acquisition system (500, 602) for a spacecraft (600), comprising a carrier substrate (102, 202, 302) and an optoelectronic element (210, 306) arranged on the carrier substrate (102, 202, 302), wherein the carrier substrate (102, 202, 302) has at least one side surface (108, 206) extending obliquely to the longitudinal direction (106) of the carrier substrate (102, 202, 302) at least in one end region (104, 204), optoelectronic image acquisition system (500, 602) for a spacecraft (600), comprising a carrier plate (502) and such a detector (100, 200, 300, 400), and spacecraft (600) with such a detector (100, 200, 300, 400) and/or such an optoelectronic imaging system (500, 602).