Foveated Lens Off-Axis Tracking for Seekers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical tracking systems are limited in their ability to accurately track objects that are off-axis, as their linear image resolution is restricted to targets on or near the optical axis, making it difficult to orient the system towards objects positioned elsewhere.
Innovation Solution
A wide-angle foveated lens system with a photodetector array is used, where light from the on-axis portion is directed to a central region and light from the non-linear peripheral portion is directed to an annular region, allowing a processor to determine the object's direction by summing signal intensities across quadrants and adjusting the optical axis accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional optical tracking system uses linear image resolution, then targets on or near the optical axis can be tracked, but targets that are off-axis cannot be accurately tracked
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into two distinct regions: an on-axis portion for high-resolution imaging of central targets and a non-linear peripheral portion for detecting off-axis targets. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously maintain precise tracking for on-axis targets while expanding the field of view to capture off-axis objects, resolving the contradiction between tracking precision and field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens are assigned different optical properties. The on-axis portion provides linear imaging for precise measurement, while the non-linear peripheral portion provides wide-angle coverage for detecting off-axis objects. This local differentiation enables the system to optimize each region for its specific function, achieving both precision and versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical axis is oriented toward an off-axis object, then the object can be tracked, but the system cannot simultaneously maintain linear image resolution for on-axis targets
Solution Approach 1:
The photodetector array is divided into a central region for receiving on-axis light and an annular region for receiving off-axis light. This spatial segmentation allows the system to process information from both on-axis and off-axis regions simultaneously, maintaining image resolution for on-axis targets while enabling detection and tracking of off-axis objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-linear peripheral portion of the lens acts as an intermediary that maps off-axis light paths to the annular region of the photodetector array. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to capture off-axis information without compromising the linear imaging capability for on-axis targets, resolving the contradiction between field of view and image resolution.
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 effective tracking of off-axis objects by enhancing the system's field of view and allowing precise orientation towards targets, even when they are not directly aligned with the optical axis, through the use of a wide-angle foveated lens and annular photodetector array configuration.
Implementation Method 1
receiving light from the object at a wide-angle foveated lens, the lens having an optical axis and a surface proximate an object space of the lens having a non-linear peripheral portion and an on-axis portion; directing light received at the on-axis portion onto a central region of a photodetector array located at a focal plane of the lens and directing light received at the non-linear peripheral portion of the lens onto an annular region of the photodetector array
Implementation Method 2
using a processor to: use a location at the annular region of the photodetector array of the light passing through the peripheral portion of the lens to determine a direction of the object with respect to the optical axis of the lens
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method of tracking an object is disclosed. Light is received from the object at a lens having an optical axis, a non-linear off-axis (peripheral) portion and an on-axis portion. The received light is directed onto a photodetector array via the non-linear peripheral portion of the lens. A direction of the object with respect to an optical axis of the lens is determined from a location of the light on the photodetector array. The determined direction is used to orient the optical axis of the lens toward object to track the object. The photodetector array and lens may be coupled to a projectile and the determined direction may be used to direct the projectile to hit a target.