Coded Optical Localization for Sub-Pixel 3D Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D localization systems face limitations in precision, size, weight, and power due to the reliance on spatial density of image sensing pixels and baseline between sensors, which restricts the spatial and angular resolution and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
Coded localization systems are designed with overlapping field patterns from each element or channel, allowing mathematical weights to be applied across the array, decoupling resolution from pixel density, and enabling superior performance in size, weight, and power efficiency by using optics, codes, and sensors in a joint design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spatial density of image sensing pixels is increased to improve localization precision, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter for determining resolution from spatial pixel density to signal-to-noise ratio. By using coded aperture patterns and statistical signal processing, the system achieves high localization precision without requiring dense pixel arrays, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical approach of using dense pixel arrays to achieve resolution with a signal processing approach. Coded aperture patterns combined with statistical analysis substitute for the physical density of pixels, achieving the same localization precision with fewer sensors.
2Measurement precision
If baseline between sensors is increased to improve angular resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the determining factor for angular resolution from baseline distance to the coded aperture pattern design and signal-to-noise ratio. By using optimized coded patterns and statistical processing, the system achieves high angular resolution with compact sensor baselines, reducing the physical size of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces coded aperture patterns as an additional dimension of information encoding. Instead of relying solely on spatial separation (baseline), the system uses temporal and spatial coding in the aperture patterns to encode angular information, effectively adding another dimension for resolution without increasing physical baseline.
3Length of moving object
If lens diameter is decreased to reduce system size, then device size is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the limiting factor for image capture detail from lens diameter to signal-to-noise ratio and coded pattern design. By using coded aperture patterns with optimized signal processing, the system maintains detailed image capture capability with smaller lens diameters, thus reducing overall system size while preserving measurement precision.
4Measurement precision
If number of antenna elements is increased to improve angular estimation accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but weight and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the determining parameter for angular estimation accuracy from the number of antenna elements to the coded aperture pattern design and signal-to-noise ratio. By using coded patterns with statistical processing, the system achieves high angular estimation accuracy with fewer antenna elements, reducing system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the physical multiplication of antenna elements with coded aperture patterns and signal processing. Instead of adding more physical sensors to improve accuracy, the system uses temporal and spatial coding to extract more information from fewer elements, reducing weight and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A coded localization system includes a plurality of optical channels arranged to cooperatively distribute electromagnetic energy from at least one object onto a plurality of detectors. Each of the channels includes a localization code that is different from any other localization code in other channels, to modify electromagnetic energy passing therethrough. Digital outputs from the detectors are processable to determine sub-pixel localization of the object onto the detectors, such that a location of the object is determined more accurately than by detector geometry alone. Another coded localization system includes a plurality of optical channels arranged to cooperatively distribute a partially polarized signal onto a plurality of pixels. Each of the channels includes a polarization code that is different from any other polarization code in other channels to uniquely polarize electromagnetic energy passing therethrough. Digital outputs from the detectors are processable to determine a polarization pattern.