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 through multiple measurements rather than a single large lens.
Solution Approach 2:
Each microcamera in the array is designed with optimized local optical quality, using small aperture lenses that are free from the aberrations inherent in large aperture systems. By distributing the imaging function across many locally-optimized units rather than one globally-optimized large lens, the system achieves high resolution without the complexity of corrective optics.
2Manufacturing precision
If the field of view is restricted to reduce aberrations in large aperture telescopes, then optical performance is improved, but the ability to observe transient events across large sky areas is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single two-dimensional field of view constraint to a three-dimensional solution space by arranging multiple microcameras in a spatial array. Each microcamera has a limited field of view, but the array collectively covers a large sky area. This dimensional expansion allows the system to achieve both high optical performance and wide coverage simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The large field of view is segmented into multiple smaller fields of view, each captured by an individual microcamera. This segmentation allows each microcamera to operate within its optimal performance range while the aggregate array provides extensive sky coverage for observing transient events across large areas.
3Quantity of substance
If a large aperture lens is used to capture more light and image detail, then fainter objects and more image detail can be observed, but the difference in optical path increases leading to greater aberrations
Solution Approach 1:
The light capture function is segmented across many small aperture lenses in the microcamera array. While each individual microcamera captures less light than a large aperture lens would, the collective array captures sufficient light from faint objects while maintaining excellent aberration control in each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple copies of identical, well-corrected small aperture optical systems (microcameras) rather than one large, difficult-to-correct optical system. Each copy is manufactured with high precision and free from aberrations, and the array of copies collectively achieves the light capture and resolution goals.
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 continuous monitoring of large sky areas, thus improving the detection of transient astronomical phenomena.
Implementation Method 1
a monocentric reflective objective lens and an array of microcameras. The objective lens images a scene onto a spherical intermediate image surface
Implementation Method 2
each microcamera in the microcamera array relays an image portion of the intermediate image onto its respective focal-plane array while simultaneously correcting at least one localized aberration
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.