Gimbaled Imaging Sensor Target Acquisition via Image Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated countermeasure systems face challenges in reliably hand-ing off targets from wide-field-of-view target-detection sensors to narrow-field-of-view target-tracking sensors due to low angular resolution and mechanical inaccuracies, which can hinder effective countermeasure deployment.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a target-detection subsystem with a wide field-of-view and a target-tracking subsystem with a narrow field-of-view, along with a processing system that determines a target direction vector, aligns the target-tracking sensor, and corrects misalignment errors using image correlation from both sensors to ensure accurate target acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a wide field-of-view target-detection sensor is used to cover large angular coverage, then the detection coverage is improved, but the angular resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sensing function into two separate subsystems: a target-detection subsystem with wide field-of-view sensors for broad coverage, and a target-tracking subsystem with narrow field-of-view sensors for high-resolution tracking. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between coverage and resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing system acts as an intermediary that receives low-resolution detection data from the wide-FOV sensors, determines target direction vectors, and uses this information to guide the narrow-FOV tracking sensor. This intermediary processing enables the system to achieve both wide coverage and high resolution by combining the strengths of both sensor types.
2Reliability
If mechanical alignment between detection and tracking subsystems is improved, then the hand-off reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with an image-processing-based alignment method. Instead of relying on precise mechanical coupling between subsystems, the processing system uses image correlation algorithms to compute misalignment errors and generate correction commands, substituting mechanical precision with computational processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing system continuously monitors the actual position of the tracking sensor relative to the detected target, computes misalignment errors through image correlation, and generates feedback correction commands to the gimbal mechanism. This closed-loop feedback system compensates for mechanical inaccuracies and ensures reliable hand-off without requiring complex mechanical precision.
3Measurement precision
If image correlation processing is performed to correct misalignment, then the target acquisition precision is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment using the wide-FOV detection sensors to establish an initial target direction vector before engaging the narrow-FOV tracking sensor. This preliminary action provides a rough alignment that reduces the magnitude of misalignment errors when the tracking sensor engages, thereby reducing the processing time required for subsequent fine-alignment image correlation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for automatically acquiring a target with a narrow field-of-view gimbaled imaging sensor. The system includes a target-detection subsystem including one or more target-detection imaging sensor with a first field-of-view, a target-tracking subsystem and a processing system in communication with the target-detection subsystem and the target-tracking imaging subsystem. The target-tracking subsystem includes a target-tracking imaging sensor with a second field-of-view smaller than the first field-of-view, and a gimbal mechanism for controlling a viewing direction of the target-tracking imaging sensor. The processing system includes a target transfer module responsive to detection of a target by the target-detection subsystem to process data from the target-detection subsystem to determine a target direction vector, operate the gimbal mechanism so as to align the viewing direction of the target-tracking imaging sensor with the target direction vector, derive an image from the target-tracking imaging sensor, correlate the image with one or more part of an image from the target-detection subsystem to derive a misalignment error, and supply the misalignment error to the target-tracking subsystem for use in acquisition of the target.