Passive Object Ranging With Coded Aperture And 3D Polarimetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive ranging systems are less precise than active ranging systems and often fail to meet range accuracy requirements, especially at longer ranges, making them unsuitable for practical applications where stealth or low-power operation is desired.
Innovation Solution
A passive-ranging system combining a coded-aperture ranging subsystem and a 3D polarimetry subsystem to determine object ranges by optimizing point spread functions and mapping terrain surfaces, refining range calculations using relative positional relationships and terrain data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If passive ranging systems are used to achieve stealth or low-power operation, then power consumption and detectability are reduced, but range accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two passive ranging subsystems (coded-aperture ranging and 3D polarimetry) into a single integrated system. The coded-aperture subsystem provides range estimates through point spread function optimization, while the 3D polarimetry subsystem measures terrain surface and relative positional relationships. By merging these subsystems and using their combined data to calculate refined range estimates, the system achieves accurate ranging without transmitting signals, thus maintaining low power consumption and stealth capability while improving range accuracy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If passive ranging systems are used for stealth applications, then detectability is reduced, but range precision worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges coded-aperture ranging and 3D polarimetry subsystems to achieve precise ranging without signal transmission. The coded-aperture subsystem captures images and determines point spread functions for range estimation, while the 3D polarimetry subsystem independently measures terrain surface and relative positional relationships. By combining measurements from both subsystems, the system achieves high range precision while maintaining stealth characteristics through passive operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses terrain surface information and relative positional relationships as intermediary data to refine range calculations. The 3D polarimetry subsystem measures these intermediary parameters, which then serve as additional constraints to improve the accuracy of range estimates derived from the coded-aperture subsystem, enabling precise ranging without active signal transmission.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If passive ranging is used to reduce power requirements, then energy consumption is reduced, but range accuracy at longer ranges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines coded-aperture ranging and 3D polarimetry subsystems to extend accurate passive ranging to longer distances. The coded-aperture subsystem provides initial range estimates that work at various distances, while the 3D polarimetry subsystem measures terrain surface and relative positional relationships that provide additional geometric constraints. By merging these complementary measurement approaches, the system maintains energy efficiency while achieving accurate range measurements at longer ranges where single-subsystem passive ranging would fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from the 3D polarimetry subsystem to refine range calculations from the coded-aperture subsystem. The measured terrain surface and relative positional relationships provide feedback constraints that improve the accuracy of range estimates, enabling the system to maintain precision at longer ranges while continuing to operate passively with low energy consumption.
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
Improves range accuracy for both near and distant objects by leveraging point spread function optimization and 3D polarimetry, enhancing precision and confidence in range estimations.
Implementation Method 1
a coded-aperture ranging subsystem determines a first range of a first object based on a point spread function optimization of an image of the first object
Implementation Method 2
a 3D polarimetry subsystem determines terrain surface between the first object and a second object
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to passive ranging of objects by using relative positional relation of the object to a coded aperture ranged object. A first range to a first object is determined via a coded-aperture ranging system based on a point spread function optimization of an image of the first object. The terrain surface between the first object and a second object is mapped via a 3D polarimetry system. A second range to the second object is then calculated via a range calculator based on the first range and the terrain surface between the first object and the second object.