MEMS Mirror Quad Detector Lasercom Sensor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current lasercom systems for CubeSats face challenges due to the large Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) requirements and high computing power needed for acquisition cameras with wide field-of-view, making it difficult to efficiently use active tracking and pointing laser beams from small terminals.
Innovation Solution
An acquisition and tracking sensor using a quad detector and a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) mirror that scans in both x and y directions to detect and center incoming laser beams, transitioning between acquisition and tracking modes, allowing for a smaller, lower power design that combines both functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wide FOV acquisition camera is used to acquire incoming laser beams, then the field of view is sufficient to detect laser beams from small Lasercom terminals, but the size, weight, and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines acquisition and tracking functions into a single sensor unit, merging the wide FOV capability with the precise tracking functionality. This integration eliminates the need for separate acquisition and tracking sensors, significantly reducing overall system weight while maintaining both wide area coverage and precise laser beam detection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor design implements multi-functionality by enabling the same sensor to perform both acquisition (wide FOV scanning) and tracking (precise centroid detection) operations. The sensor can dynamically switch between acquisition mode with effective wide FOV and tracking mode with precise positioning, eliminating the need for specialized separate sensors for each function
2Area of stationary object
If a large format FPA is used for acquisition sensing, then the wide area coverage is achieved, but the computing power requirements and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for laser beam detection by using a quad detector that measures light intensity at four quadrants. Instead of processing data from a large format FPA which would require complex algorithms to locate the laser spot, the system uses the MEMS mirror to scan and directs the laser beam location information directly to the simple quad detector, dramatically reducing processing complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If two separate sensors are used for acquisition and tracking, then both functions are maintained, but the device complexity and SWaP increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges acquisition and tracking functions into a single integrated sensor system consisting of one quad detector and one MEMS mirror. This consolidation maintains both wide FOV acquisition capability through MEMS scanning and precise NFOV tracking capability through quad detector centroid measurement, while eliminating the complexity of coordinating two separate sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor achieves multi-functionality by enabling the quad detector to operate in both acquisition mode (with MEMS mirror scanning providing effective wide FOV) and tracking mode (with stabilized NFOV for precise centroid detection). The same hardware components perform both functions by changing operational modes, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors
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 solution enables a lightweight, low-power acquisition and tracking sensor that increases data communication rates by an order of magnitude compared to conventional techniques, suitable for CubeSats with reduced power consumption and simpler design.
Implementation Method 1
a quad detector with a NFOV placed behind a MEMS mirror with a WFOV
Implementation Method 2
tracking sensor is a narrow FOV (NFOV) sensor, typically some type of quadrant detector
Data Source
AI summary
An acquisition and tracking sensor includes a quad detector with a narrow field of view (NFOV) and a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) mirror with a wide field of view (WFOV). The quad detector is placed behind the MEMS mirror to produce a WFOV to allow the quad detector to scan a larger area for the incoming laser beam.