Optical Pointing Calibration Using Celestial Macro Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical pointing systems face challenges in accurately testing and correcting pointing errors, particularly in outdoor environments, due to parallax errors and the inability to detect objects emitting similar light intensity, such as stars, and have limited fields of view that can't encompass larger celestial objects.
Innovation Solution
An optical pointing system that utilizes an imaging sensor, collecting and directing devices, and an inertial navigation system to capture imagery data of celestial objects, forming a macro image through a scan pattern, determining a centroid, and adjusting the system to reduce pointing errors based on the comparison between the macro image centroid and the known object center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional optical pointing systems are tested in local or indoor environments, then the testing can be performed in controlled conditions, but parallax errors occur that reduce measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from local/indoor testing environments to celestial object testing, moving the reference frame from terrestrial to astronomical dimensions. This eliminates parallax errors by using distant celestial objects as reference points, where the baseline distance is effectively infinite compared to terrestrial testing setups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces celestial objects as an intermediary reference standard for testing optical pointing systems. Instead of using local reference objects that introduce parallax errors, the system uses celestial bodies as an intermediate reference that provides accurate positioning without the parallax problem inherent in terrestrial testing.
2Device complexity
If optical pointing systems use standard imaging sensors, then the system design is simplified, but the system cannot detect objects emitting similar light intensity such as stars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging sensors with different characteristics to detect celestial objects. By merging the capabilities of multiple sensors, the system can detect faint stellar objects while maintaining a manageable overall design through coordinated sensor operation and data processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters of the imaging system, including integration time, gain settings, and filtering characteristics, to enable detection of low-intensity celestial objects. These parameter adjustments allow standard sensors to detect faint stars by optimizing their sensitivity without requiring specialized hardware modifications.
3Device complexity
If optical pointing systems use fixed field of view, then the system structure is simplified, but the field of view cannot encompass larger celestial objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic field of view adjustment where the imaging system can change its viewing area based on the target celestial object. The system transitions from static to dynamic FOV control, allowing it to encompass larger celestial objects while maintaining simplified structure through software-controlled adjustments rather than mechanical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the observation process into multiple fields of view that are sequentially or simultaneously captured. By dividing the observation into multiple FOV segments and combining them, the system can cover larger celestial objects without requiring a single large FOV, thus maintaining simpler optical structure while achieving comprehensive coverage.
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
Enables accurate determination and correction of pointing errors by forming a macro image of celestial objects, allowing for precise alignment and improved operational performance of the optical pointing system.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging sensor configured to detect a position of the optical pointing system
Implementation Method 2
at least one collecting device for collecting optical photons and directing the optical photons to the imaging sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for testing or correcting optical pointing systems are disclosed. An optical pointing system may include an imaging sensor including a field-of-view (FOV) carried by the optical pointing system, at least one collecting device for collecting optical photons and directing the optical photons to the imaging sensor, at least one directing device for directing the at least one collecting device to different pointing vectors, and at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium carried by the optical pointing system having instructions encoded thereon that when executed by at least one processor operates to test the optical pointing system by, inter alia, determining a pointing error based, at least in part, on a macro image of a targeted object.