Aerospace Magnetometer Pose Calibration via Camera Reference Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetometer pose calibration methods in aerospace applications are inadequate due to the variable length and angle of the stretching rod mechanism, which affects the accuracy of satellite attitude measurement and control.
Innovation Solution
A pose calibration method involving a high-resolution camera to create a reference database by photographing the stretching rod in Earth's full gravity and near-moon gravity modes, allowing for accurate determination of the rod's length and angle in the on-orbit state through image processing and comparison.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a reel-type stretching rod mechanism is used to mount the magnetometer, then the device can be extended and deployed, but the length and angle of the stretching rod become variable and cannot be fixed, making it impossible to determine the position and posture of the magnetometer in orbit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual reference database that copies the geometric relationships and spatial configurations of the stretching rod mechanism under different deployment conditions. By photographing the stretching rod in ground tests and constructing a reference database of these images, the system creates a template for comparison during orbital operations, enabling pose determination without direct mechanical measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement systems with an optical image processing system. Instead of using mechanical encoders or sensors to measure the stretching rod's length and angle, the system uses camera imaging and computer vision algorithms to detect and calculate the rod's pose by comparing orbital images against the ground-based reference database
2Length of moving object
If the stretching rod is extended elastically, then the magnetometer can be deployed to the required position, but the length of the stretching rod is not fixed after each extension, causing uncertainty in the magnetometer's position and posture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by conducting ground-based tests where the stretching rod is extended multiple times and photographed from various angles. These pre-collected images are processed to create a reference database that captures the rod's appearance at different lengths and angles. This preliminary database construction enables later orbital pose determination without requiring the rod to maintain consistent extension states
Solution Approach 2:
The reference database serves as a copy of all possible stretching rod configurations observed during ground testing. By comparing orbital images against this comprehensive reference library, the system can identify the rod's current pose even when the extension length varies, effectively copying the relationship between image features and physical pose
3Shape
If the stretching rod rotates to extend obliquely forward, then the magnetometer can be positioned at the required angle, but the angle at which rotation is completed is not fixed, preventing accurate determination of the magnetometer's orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The reference database copies the visual characteristics of the stretching rod at various rotation angles captured during ground testing. By storing images of the rod in different orientations and their corresponding pose information, the system creates a mapping between image features and physical orientation that can be applied during orbital operations regardless of the specific rotation angle achieved
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical angle measurement systems with an optical recognition system. Instead of using rotary encoders or mechanical position sensors on the stretching rod mechanism, the system uses image processing to detect the rod's orientation by comparing its appearance in orbital images against the ground-based reference database, substituting mechanical measurement with optical measurement
Data Source
AI summary
A pose calibration method for an aerospace magnetometer includes the following steps: mounting a magnetometer and a camera on a vehicle body; in the ground state, completely expanding a stretching rod mounted on the vehicle body, and taking photos from multiple angles by the camera in the Earth's full gravity mode; in the near-moon gravity mode, taking photos from multiple angles by the camera; comparing the photos in the Earth's full gravity mode and the near-moon gravity mode to obtain a reference database; and repeating S2 and S3 in an on-orbit state, and comparing the photographing result with the reference database to obtain a length and an angle of the stretching rod. According to the pose calibration method, the photographed structure in the on-orbit state is compared with the reference database to obtain the length and the angle of the stretching rod.