Aerial Recon Camera Atmospheric Dispersion Correction Wedge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerial reconnaissance cameras face significant challenges due to atmospheric dispersion, which causes loss of spatial resolution and distortion in imagery, as existing solutions are complex, costly, and difficult to integrate with current camera systems.
Innovation Solution
A fixed optical wedge is incorporated into the camera system's optical path, oriented with a thinner edge towards the Earth and a thicker edge away, to counteract the atmospheric dispersion, using a material like Cleartran™ to provide compensating dispersion properties opposite to the expected net atmospheric dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If prior art solutions using sensors, signal processors, and adjustable optics are used to correct atmospheric dispersion, then atmospheric dispersion correction is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex electronic subsystems (sensors, signal processors, control systems) from the atmospheric dispersion correction mechanism, retaining only the essential optical wedge element. This reduces device complexity while maintaining correction functionality through passive optical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical wedge is designed to automatically compensate for atmospheric dispersion without requiring external control signals or active adjustment mechanisms. The fixed optical path and predetermined wedge angle enable self-correcting functionality, eliminating the need for complex electronic control systems.
2Measurement precision
If prior art solutions using rotatable prisms and adjustable optics are used to correct atmospheric dispersion, then atmospheric dispersion correction is achieved, but ease of manufacture and integration deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes all movable and adjustable components (rotatable prisms, variable optics) from the system, leaving only a fixed optical wedge that can be manufactured and integrated as a simple static optical element, dramatically improving ease of manufacture and integration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using adjustable optics that require complex mounting and alignment mechanisms, the patent inverts the approach by using a fixed optical wedge with predetermined geometry, transforming the correction mechanism from an active adjustable system to a passive fixed system that is simpler to manufacture and integrate.
3Device complexity
If atmospheric dispersion is left uncompensated, then device complexity remains low, but spatial resolution and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive fixed optical wedge instead of complex expensive adjustable systems. While the wedge has fixed correction parameters optimized for typical conditions, it provides adequate correction for most reconnaissance applications at a fraction of the cost and complexity of adjustable systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from dynamic parameter adjustment (variable optics) to fixed parameter optimization (predetermined wedge angle). By carefully selecting the wedge angle based on typical atmospheric conditions and mission parameters, the system achieves acceptable correction performance without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
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
This solution effectively cancels out atmospheric dispersion without the need for sensors, signal processors, or adjustable optics, providing a cost-effective and straightforward method to improve image clarity and resolution in reconnaissance missions.
Implementation Method 1
Dispersion is the variation of the refractive index with the wavelength of the light. The phenomenon of atmospheric dispersion is illustrated for purposes of explanation in FIGS. 1A and 1B... blue light (B) is refracted through a greater angle than the yellow light (Y) and the red light (R)
Implementation Method 2
Refraction is defined as the bending of light rays passing from one medium to another, such as between air and water or air and glass, or between parts of the same medium with different densities such as the Earth's atmosphere. The amount of refraction is given by Snell's law
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial reconnaissance camera system is disclosed which compensates for atmospheric dispersion. The dispersion is principally a function of the observing altitude and slant range and occurs in the camera depression direction only. The effective spectral dispersion of the atmosphere is shown to be about 15 microradians over the visible/near infrared spectrum (500 to 900 nanometers) at typical long range oblique photography (LOROP) imaging ranges. Consequently, dispersion is compensated by means of a fixed optical wedge incorporated into the optical path of the reconnaissance camera, e.g., in a fixed reconnaissance window. The wedge has dispersive qualities opposite to the effective net dispersion of the atmosphere for an expected reconnaissance mission using the camera.