Optical Sensor Angle Filtering for Scan-Free Orientation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spatial acquisition between optical communication devices, such as satellites, is costly, complex, and time-consuming due to the need for multiple scanning schemes to align line of sight, requiring physical movement and resource expenditure.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor device with an optical filter and element that utilizes an angle shift characteristic to direct light beams to specific sensor elements based on spectral and incidence angle ranges, enabling orientation determination without conventional scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional scanning schemes are used to align line of sight between optical communication devices, then orientation can be determined, but the process becomes costly, complex, and time-consuming requiring physical movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system with an optical field-based solution. Instead of physically moving the optical sensor device to scan for orientation, the system uses an optical filter with angle-dependent spectral characteristics to passively determine orientation. The optical filter directs light beams from different incidence angles to different sensor elements, enabling orientation measurement without mechanical movement or scanning schemes.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filter acts as an intermediary between the incoming light beams and the sensor elements. It mediates the orientation determination process by selectively directing light beams based on their incidence angles to specific sensor elements, thereby encoding orientation information in the spatial distribution of detected light without requiring active scanning or mechanical adjustment.
2Measurement precision
If multiple scanning schemes are implemented to achieve line of sight alignment, then orientation can be measured, but resource expenditure and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical filter is pre-configured with angle-dependent spectral characteristics that encode orientation information for multiple angles simultaneously. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for sequential scanning, as all orientation information is available in real-time through the spatial distribution of light detected by the sensor elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous orientation measurement without interruption or sequential scanning. The optical filter continuously processes incoming light beams from all angles simultaneously, providing uninterrupted orientation data that eliminates the time losses associated with starting and stopping scanning operations.
3Reliability
If physical movement is used to align optical devices, then line of sight can be achieved, but durability decreases due to mechanical wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical movement components entirely by using the optical filter's inherent angle-dependent properties to determine orientation. This substitution of mechanical alignment with optical field-based measurement removes sources of mechanical wear and failure, thereby improving device durability while maintaining alignment reliability.
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
Facilitates efficient and reliable orientation of optical communication devices by eliminating the need for resource-intensive scanning, improving durability and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an optical filter that includes a plurality of channels that are configured to pass light beams associated with a spectral range; an optical element... the optical filter is configured to: pass, to the optical element, first light beams that are associated with a first subrange of the spectral range and that impinge on the optical filter within a first incidence angle range, and pass, to the optical element, second light beams that are associated with a second subrange of the spectral range and that impinge on the optical filter within a second incidence angle range
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor device includes an optical filter, an optical element, and an optical sensor that includes a plurality of sensor elements. The optical filter is configured to pass, to the optical element, first light beams that are associated with a first subrange of a spectral range and that impinge on the optical filter within a first incidence angle range; and to pass, to the optical element, second light beams that are associated with a second subrange of the spectral range and that impinge on the optical filter within a second incidence angle range. The optical element is configured to cause, based on receiving the first light beams, the first light beams to be directed to a first region of an optical sensor; and to cause, based on receiving the second light beams, the second light beams to be directed to a second region of the optical sensor.