Atmospheric Turbulence Evaluation Using Celestial Image Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instruments for measuring atmospheric turbulence parameters are complex, costly, and not suitable for widespread use in prospecting new astronomical observation sites or optical communication ground stations, lacking a lightweight and simple solution for accurate evaluation and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A method using a camera coupled to a telescope to acquire images, analyze angle of arrival fluctuations, and estimate parameters like the Fried parameter by setting an outer scale parameter to a fixed median value, with a device comprising a camera, processing card, and a telescope secured to a fixed support to avoid instrumental vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex instruments like GSM or GDIMM are used to measure atmospheric turbulence parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function from complex instruments like GSM and GDIMM. Instead of using multiple apertures, prisms, and specialized detectors, the invention uses a simple telescope-camera system that captures images of celestial objects. The angle of arrival fluctuations are derived from image analysis, eliminating unnecessary mechanical and optical components while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital imaging to create a copy of the celestial object's light pattern, which is then analyzed computationally to determine angle of arrival fluctuations. Instead of direct optical measurement with complex instruments, the system captures an optical image and processes it digitally, replacing physical measurement complexity with computational analysis.
2Measurement precision
If traditional turbulence monitoring instruments are deployed, then accurate turbulence parameter evaluation is achieved, but the instruments are too bulky and costly for widespread use in prospecting new sites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, commercially available components (standard telescope, digital camera) instead of expensive, specialized turbulence monitoring instruments. This makes the system affordable and easy to deploy for prospecting multiple potential observation sites without significant investment, enabling widespread use for site selection and monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The simple telescope-camera system can observe any celestial object (stars, planets, moon) to measure atmospheric turbulence parameters. This universal approach works at any location with clear skies, making the system adaptable for prospecting new astronomical observation sites and optical communication ground stations worldwide without requiring location-specific instrumentation.
3Reliability
If high-precision turbulence measurement is performed using multiple apertures and prisms, then measurement reliability is improved, but the instrument becomes more sensitive to vibrations and requires complex stabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement systems (multiple apertures, prisms, galvanometric mirrors) with a static optical system (telescope + camera). The measurement is performed computationally by analyzing image positions of celestial objects across multiple frames, eliminating moving parts and mechanical complexity that would be sensitive to vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
By capturing multiple images of the celestial object and analyzing the positional variations computationally, the system creates a statistical measure of angle of arrival fluctuations. This computational approach to measuring turbulence is inherently more robust to vibrations than mechanical measurement systems, as the telescope remains fixed and only the image analysis varies.
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
Enables accurate and efficient evaluation of atmospheric turbulence parameters, including the Fried parameter, seeing, isoplanatic angle, and coherence time, using a lightweight and simple setup that can operate both day and night, and is applicable worldwide.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring images of a celestial object by means of a camera coupled to a telescope
Implementation Method 2
The fluctuations in the refractive index of the atmosphere involve many factors including wind velocity, temperature gradients, and elevation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for characterizing the atmospheric turbulence, comprising: acquiring images of a celestial object by means of a camera coupled to a small telescope; analyzing the acquired images to determine angle of arrival fluctuations of wavefronts from positions of spots formed by the celestial object in the acquired images; determining variances of the angle of arrival fluctuations; and estimating the Fried parameter from the variances of the angle of arrival fluctuations, by setting an outer scale parameter of the atmospheric turbulence to a fixed median value.