Imaging Sensor Auto-Synchronization for Target Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging-based target detection systems in aerospace rely on synchronization of digital image capture with pulsed light emission, which is critical and prone to failures due to dependence on shared synchronization signals and sensitive to light propagation delays, especially in environments without inter-satellite relaying communications or GNSS services.
Innovation Solution
The system auto-synchronizes digital image capture with pulsed light emission by using a self-determined operation pattern of the light source and imaging sensor, eliminating the need for shared synchronization signals and being insensitive to light propagation delays, through a digital image processing method that adjusts capture timing based on the light source's operation pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shared synchronization signals or GNSS services are used to synchronize image capture with pulsed light emission, then target detection can be performed, but the system becomes vulnerable to failures in environments without inter-satellite relaying communications or GNSS services
Solution Approach 1:
The detector satellite autonomously determines the light source operation pattern by analyzing captured images and automatically adjusts its image capture timing accordingly, eliminating dependence on external synchronization signals from GNSS or inter-satellite communications. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable target detection across all orbital environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors captured images to detect the light source emission pattern, uses this feedback information to calculate optimal capture timing, and adjusts the image capture schedule dynamically. This closed-loop feedback ensures synchronization is maintained without external signals.
2Measurement precision
If shared synchronization signals are used to coordinate imaging sensor operation with light source emission, then synchronization can be achieved, but the system complexity increases due to dependence on communication infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the external synchronization signal dependency from the system, making the detector satellite completely independent of GNSS or inter-satellite communication infrastructure. The synchronization function is entirely self-contained within the detector satellite through automatic pattern recognition and timing adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If light propagation delays are compensated for in synchronization, then detection accuracy improves, but the system becomes more sensitive to timing variations and requires precise timing control
Solution Approach 1:
The detector satellite preliminarily determines the light source operation pattern and calculates the optimal image capture timing in advance, incorporating the light propagation delay compensation into the timing calculation. This preliminary action ensures that the capture timing is pre-adjusted for the known distance and propagation delay, maintaining both accuracy and robustness.
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 ensures reliable target detection by synchronizing imaging sensor operations with pulsed light emission without requiring common synchronization signals or being affected by light propagation delays, thereby improving identification accuracy and robustness in various orbital conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging sensor 3 on a detector satellite 4... capable of emitting light radiation in the range of wavelengths where the imaging sensor 3 is most sensitive
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging-based target detection system comprising an electromagnetic radiation emitting source (1) to be associated with a target (2) to be detected and pulsedly operable according to an operation pattern to emit electromagnetic radiation; an imaging sensor (3) sensitive to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation emitting source (1), and operable to capture digital images of the electromagnetic radiation emitting source (1); and an electronic processing unit (5) connected to the imaging sensor (3) and configured to operate the imaging sensor (3) synchronously with respect to the pulsed operation of the electromagnetic radiation emitting source (1) so as to cause the imaging sensor (3) to carry out a digital image capture cycle during which a plurality of digital images are successively captured and comprise a first digital image captured when the imaging sensor (3) is impinged by electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation emitting source (1), and at least a second image captured when the imaging sensor (3) is not impinged by any electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation emitting source (1); and process the captured digital images to detect the target (2). The electronic processing unit (5) is further configured to synchronise operation of the imaging sensor (3) with respect to the pulsed operation of the electromagnetic radiation emitting source (1) based on the digital images captured by imaging sensor (3).