High Angular Rate Imaging System with Cueing Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capturing high-resolution images of objects moving at orbital velocities is challenging due to the need for precise timing and short integration times, especially when line of sight rates exceed 2000 degrees per second, as traditional methods require heavy, expensive, and complex systems like gimbaled telescopes.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with a cueing sensor to track objects and multiple detectors aligned for multi-angle photography, combined with digital processing to shift the field of view and activate detectors at precise moments, using estimation theory filtering and linear charge transfer to achieve high resolution images without moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gimbaled telescopes are used to capture images of objects at orbital velocities, then image capture capability is achieved, but system weight and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the imaging function into multiple fixed detectors arranged in a specific geometric pattern, each capturing images from different angles simultaneously. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single complex gimbaled telescope while achieving comprehensive object imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point observation (traditional telescope) to a multi-point spatial array of detectors. By distributing detectors across multiple positions and angles, the system captures three-dimensional information simultaneously, replacing mechanical gimbaling with spatial dimensionality.
2Speed
If traditional imaging methods are used for objects moving at orbital velocities, then images can be captured, but integration time must be extended which reduces image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The cueing sensor continuously tracks the object and predicts its position in advance. This preliminary tracking action provides precise timing information that triggers the main detectors to capture images at the optimal moment, enabling short integration times while maintaining high resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the cueing sensor's continuous tracking to dynamically adjust the timing of image capture. The tracking data provides real-time information about object position and velocity, allowing the system to synchronize detector activation with object passage and maintain image quality despite high speeds.
3Measurement precision
If precise timing is required for capturing images of objects at orbital velocities, then image quality improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cueing sensor serves as an intermediary device that performs continuous tracking and provides timing information to the main detectors. This intermediary role separates the complex timing computation from the image capture function, simplifying the overall system while maintaining precise timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical gimbaling and complex timing mechanisms with a fixed detector array and electronic timing control. Precise timing is achieved through digital processing of cueing sensor data rather than mechanical synchronization, reducing moving parts and system complexity.
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 high-resolution imaging of objects at extremely high line of sight rates, reducing costs and complexity compared to traditional systems, while providing enhanced three-dimensional image quality and precise timing for objects passing close to the camera.
Implementation Method 1
a cueing sensor to locate and track an object of interest
Implementation Method 2
imaging cameras, each camera having a plurality of detectors juxtapositionally aligned to photograph an object from multiple angles
Implementation Method 3
the digital signal processor provides a control signal in response to the tracking signal from the cueing sensor to shift the field of view of the plurality of detectors
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes a sensor to locate and track an object of interest; an imaging camera having a plurality of detectors juxtapositionally aligned to increase the field of regard of an image of interest and a plurality of corresponding illuminators, each illuminator co-aligned with the field of view of a corresponding detector; and a digital processor connected to the sensor to receive tracking signals indicative of the track of the object of interest and connected to the imaging camera to provide a control signal to the imaging camera to activate each one of the detectors when the object of interest is within the field of view of a detector.