Optical Sensor Coverage Analysis via 3D Ray Tracing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for optimizing optical sensor coverage in cluttered environments, such as aircraft dry bays, are inefficient, costly, and prone to human error, as they rely on manual drawings, CAD models, or time-consuming live fire testing, which provide less than desirable results.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the projection of rays from optical sensors into a 3D model of the environment, including obstructions, to visually display coverage areas and gaps, allowing for rapid and accurate analysis and optimization of sensor placement using software tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hand drawings or CAD models are used to determine sensor coverage, then the design process can be performed, but the accuracy of coverage determination in cluttered environments is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual 3-D copy of the dry bay environment including all obstructions, and virtual copies of sensors that project rays to simulate optical paths. This virtual model allows accurate coverage determination without physical testing while maintaining computational feasibility through software-based ray tracing algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual drawing methods and physical live-fire testing with a computational ray-tracing system. The mechanical/physical process of actual light propagation is simulated through software that projects rays from virtual sensors through a 3-D digital model, eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming physical tests while improving accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If live fire testing is conducted to determine sensor coverage, then accurate coverage data can be obtained, but the process becomes time consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary virtual testing through ray-tracing simulations before any physical implementation. By determining optimal sensor placement and coverage in a virtual 3-D model first, the system eliminates the need for iterative physical testing, thereby saving significant time and resources while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of the entire testing environment including the dry bay, obstructions, and sensors. This virtual replica allows unlimited repeated testing without the time loss and resource expenditure associated with physical live-fire tests, while preserving the accuracy needed for coverage determination.
3Reliability
If more sensors are deployed to improve coverage in cluttered areas, then coverage increases, but the number of components and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic ray-tracing analysis that can evaluate different sensor configurations and placements virtually. This allows optimization of the minimum number of sensors needed to achieve required coverage by simulating various arrangements and identifying the most efficient configuration, thereby reducing the total quantity of sensors while maintaining coverage reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sensor placement location and orientation to optimize coverage. By systematically varying these parameters in the virtual model and analyzing coverage results, the system identifies optimal positions that maximize coverage with the fewest sensors, reducing both the number of components and overall weight.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided of determining the coverage of at least one optical sensor in a three dimensional (3-D) area. The 3-D area is divided into cells. The field of view of the sensor in the 3-D area is determined and rays are projected from the sensor into the 3-D area within sensor's field of view. The intersections between the rays and the cells are determined and a visual display of the 3-D area is generated showing the coverage of the sensor, based on the intersections.