Hyperspectral Imaging View Direction Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hyperspectral imaging from moving platforms, such as aircraft, is limited by spatial resolution due to high speeds and altitudes, which restricts the angular rate of scan and results in low spatial resolution, especially when trying to maintain square pixels for high-quality imagery.
Innovation Solution
The method involves multiple apparatus mounted side by side on an aircraft, each redirecting its viewing direction to maintain a view of the scene as the aircraft moves, allowing for increased image resolution by tracking scene locations and using a rotatable mirror to adjust the viewing angle, thereby reducing relative speed and increasing spatial resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the aircraft flies at high speed and altitude for military surveillance, then the safety and operational capability are improved, but the spatial resolution of hyperspectral images deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the viewing direction adjustable and variable during flight. The viewing direction is changed dynamically to track the scene, allowing the system to adapt to the aircraft's motion and maintain optimal imaging conditions despite high-speed movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the viewing direction parameter to compensate for aircraft movement. By adjusting the viewing direction based on aircraft position and velocity, the system maintains spatial resolution equivalent to lower-speed imaging while flying at high speeds for safety.
2Productivity
If the aircraft flies at high speed, then the time to cover surveillance area is reduced, but the spatial resolution and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the viewing direction during flight to track the scene, enabling high-speed coverage while maintaining image quality. This dynamic adaptation allows the aircraft to move quickly through the surveillance area without sacrificing spatial resolution.
3Measurement precision
If multiple apparatus are mounted side by side, then the spatial resolution is improved by tracking scene locations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging function across multiple apparatus mounted side by side, with each apparatus viewing different portions of the scene. This segmentation allows parallel data acquisition from multiple angles, improving spatial resolution through tracking while distributing the complexity across separate modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines data from multiple apparatus that view different portions of the scene. By merging the information from these parallel viewing systems, the overall spatial resolution and scene coverage are enhanced while managing complexity through coordinated operation.
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
This approach enhances spatial resolution by up to a factor of four, allowing for higher quality imagery without losing image pixels, by adjusting the viewing direction to compensate for aircraft movement and ensuring continuous data acquisition.
Implementation Method 1
The hyperspectral image data is preferably acquired via a reflecting member, which is arranged to reflect an image of the portion of the scene onto a hyperspectral sensor.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method are disclosed for hyperspectral imaging of a scene along an imaging path, from a viewpoint which is arranged to move relative to the scene. The method comprises acquiring hyperspectral image data of a portion of the scene from the viewpoint, along a first viewing direction (14)relative to the viewpoint and redirecting the viewing direction from the first viewing direction to a second viewing direction (15) relative to the viewpoint, in dependence of the relative movement, to maintain a view of said portion of the scene as the viewpoint moves along a portion of the imaging path.