Autocollimator Telescope Measuring Structure Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autocollimation telescopes with conventional crosshair measuring structures have limited measuring angle ranges and insufficient accuracy for precise angle measurements, especially when dealing with varying aperture sizes and small measuring surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a measuring structure that covers the entire receiver matrix with unique, adjacent regions of different transmittance, allowing for a larger measuring angle range and higher resolution by using a CCD matrix with an image evaluation software to determine the center of the image, enabling subpixel interpolation for precise position determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional crosshair measuring structure is used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but the measuring angle range is limited and measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring structure is divided into multiple adjacent regions with different transmittance values (e.g., gray levels), where each region corresponds to specific pixel groups on the receiver matrix. This segmentation allows the system to encode spatial position information within the measuring mark itself, enabling precise angle measurement through digital analysis of the received light pattern without requiring complex mechanical or optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional one-dimensional crosshair measurements to a two-dimensional measuring structure with varying transmittance across multiple regions. By encoding position information in both horizontal and vertical dimensions through the transmittance pattern, the system achieves extended measuring angle range and higher precision while maintaining a relatively simple optical setup.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the measuring structure is enlarged to cover the entire receiver matrix, then the measuring angle range is tripled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the measuring structure are assigned different transmittance properties (e.g., varying gray levels from 0 to 255) to encode specific position information. This local differentiation allows the entire receiver matrix to be utilized effectively, tripling the measuring angle range while maintaining a simple overall device structure through intelligent use of the existing optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring structure with multiple transmittance regions acts as an intermediary that encodes angular position information into the light pattern received by the matrix. This intermediary element transforms the physical angle measurement problem into a digital signal processing problem, allowing extended measuring range without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Extent of automation
If a single photodiode is used as receiver, then the device is simple, but automation and measurement accuracy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is segmented into a matrix of multiple pixels instead of a single photodiode, with each pixel corresponding to a specific region of the measuring structure. This segmentation enables automatic determination of the measuring mark's position and orientation through digital analysis of the light pattern across the matrix, achieving full automation while keeping the optical design simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual visual evaluation methods with an automated optoelectronic detection system. The receiver matrix combined with digital signal processing automatically determines angular measurements by analyzing the light pattern from the measuring structure, eliminating subjective human factors and enabling complete automation of the measurement process.
4Measurement precision
If subpixel interpolation is implemented, then measurement precision is enhanced, but calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring structure with its specific transmittance pattern creates a unique light pattern copy on the receiver matrix that encodes position information. By analyzing the distribution and intensity of light across multiple pixels, the system can determine subpixel-level precision through mathematical interpolation of the received signal pattern, achieving enhanced precision with relatively simple calculation algorithms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach triples the measuring angle range and enhances the dynamic range of angle measurements, providing higher accuracy and automation in optical surface adjustments and angle determinations.
Implementation Method 1
homogeneously illuminated by a condenser plate with a measuring structure
Implementation Method 2
The objective 1, which acts both as a collimator objective and as a telescope objective
Implementation Method 3
a beam splitter 2, here a splitter cube. This divides the beam path
Implementation Method 4
a receiver matrix 6. In that the measuring structure is designed such that it completely covers the plate 7, all the pixels of the CCD matrix are also covered by the image of the measuring structure
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an autocollimator telescope, comprising a measurement structure (3) that is greater than a receiver matrix (6) arranged in the telescope focal plane, whereby always only one section of the measurement structure (3) is imaged on the receiver matrix (6) and each section of the measurement structure can be identified once and therefore can be uniquely identified within the measurement structure.