Multiscale Telescopic Imaging System with Microcamera Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telescopic imaging systems face challenges in achieving high-resolution images over large instantaneous fields of view due to atmospheric distortions and the limitations of larger aperture lenses, which result in image aberrations and restricted fields of view, making it difficult to observe transient events like satellite passages or supernovas.
Innovation Solution
A multiscale telescopic imaging system comprising a monocentric reflective or refractive objective lens and an array of microcameras, where each microcamera relays and corrects localized aberrations, enabling a large field of view while minimizing obscuration and vignetting, and allowing for overlapping image portions to ensure comprehensive scene coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a larger aperture lens is used to improve image resolution and light capture, then image detail and brightness are improved, but optical path differences increase causing greater aberrations and requiring complex corrective systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple independent microcameras, each with its own small aperture lens and focal plane array. This segmentation allows each microcamera to capture a portion of the intermediate image while avoiding the aberration problems of large aperture lenses. The collective array of microcameras achieves the desired resolution and field of view without requiring complex aberration correction systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single large aperture lens to a two-dimensional array of multiple small microcameras. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve equivalent or superior imaging performance across a wide field of view by distributing the imaging function across multiple elements rather than concentrating it in a single large lens.
2Illumination intensity
If a larger aperture lens is used to capture more light and image detail, then fainter objects can be observed, but the difference in optical path increases leading to greater aberrations
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the light capture function across multiple microcameras with small aperture lenses, the system avoids the optical path differences and aberrations inherent in large aperture lenses. Each microcamera captures light independently with minimal aberration, and the collective array achieves the necessary light capture capability for observing faint objects.
3Manufacturing precision
If the field of view is restricted to reduce aberrations in large aperture telescopes, then lower aberration performance is achieved, but the ability to observe transient events over large sky regions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an array of multiple microcameras, each with a modest field of view, to collectively achieve a very wide instantaneous field of view. This segmentation allows the system to maintain good aberration performance in each microcamera while achieving a total field of view of 10 degrees or more, enabling observation of transient events across large sky regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fields of view of multiple individual microcameras to create a composite wide-field image. By combining the outputs of many small cameras with overlapping fields of view, the system achieves a total field of view that is the sum of individual contributions, providing both good aberration performance and wide sky coverage.
4Measurement precision
If conventional telescopic imaging systems are used to achieve high resolution, then image quality is improved, but the instantaneous field of view is restricted making it difficult to observe transient events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging task across multiple microcameras arranged in an array, where each microcamera captures a small portion of the intermediate image with high resolution. The collective array achieves both high overall resolution and a wide instantaneous field of view of 10 degrees or more, enabling observation of transient events across large sky regions while maintaining image quality.
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
The system achieves high-resolution imaging with a wide instantaneous field of view, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity, and enabling the observation of previously unrecorded astronomical phenomena by continuously monitoring large swaths of the sky.
Implementation Method 1
an objective lens operative for forming an intermediate image of a scene
Implementation Method 2
a monocentric reflective objective lens
Implementation Method 3
each microcamera comprising secondary optics and a focal plane array, the secondary optics being operative for relaying an image portion of the intermediate image
Data Source
AI summary
A multiscale telescopic imaging system is disclosed. The system includes an objective lens, having a wide field of view, which forms an intermediate image of a scene at a substantially spherical image surface. A plurality of microcameras in a microcamera array relay image portions of the intermediate image onto their respective focal-plane arrays, while simultaneously correcting at least one localized aberration in their respective image portions. The microcameras in the microcamera array are arranged such that the fields of view of adjacent microcameras overlap enabling field points of the intermediate image to be relayed by multiple microcameras. The microcamera array and objective lens are arranged such that light from the scene can reach the objective lens while mitigating deleterious effects such as obscuration and vignetting.