Sensor Line of Sight Servocontrol for High-Resolution Terrain Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image acquisition methods using radars or optical sensors fail to effectively cover a large extent of ground from various viewpoints, resulting in limited angular resolution and restricted viewing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a specific automatic-control mode for the line of sight of a sensor that combines step-and-stare micro-movements with image processing to achieve multiple outward scans of the ground, allowing for high-quality image acquisition from different angles, enabling the creation of ortho-photographs or geographic maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional scanning patterns (strip-map, spotlight, circular) are used, then the sensor can cover a certain area, but the angular resolution is limited and the ground cannot be viewed from multiple viewpoints with good resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning process is segmented into multiple passes, with each pass covering a specific strip of terrain. The sensor performs step-and-stare micro-movements within each pass to acquire multiple images of the same ground segment from slightly different angles, then combines these segments to achieve both high angular resolution and extensive ground coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds the dimension of temporal repetition to the scanning process. By acquiring multiple images of the same ground segment during different passes and combining them, the system achieves high angular resolution without sacrificing ground coverage area, effectively utilizing the time dimension to resolve the contradiction
2Productivity
If the sensor performs rapid scanning to cover large areas, then productivity increases, but image stability and quality deteriorate due to carrier movement
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor employs periodic step-and-stare micro-movements during scanning. Between rapid scanning phases, the sensor performs brief staring periods to capture stable images. This periodic alternation between rapid movement and stable imaging allows the system to maintain high productivity while ensuring image quality through multiple stable acquisitions that are later combined
3Measurement precision
If the sensor focuses on a fixed point to achieve high angular resolution, then measurement precision improves, but the coverage area becomes very limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action by performing repeated passes over the same ground segments. Each pass contributes additional angular information, and the combination of all passes provides both high angular resolution (from the focused observations) and extensive ground coverage (from the continuous scanning across multiple passes)
Data Source
AI summary
Images of a scene are acquired from a moving carrier that is equipped with a sensor. The angular direction of the line of sight of the sensor is automatically controlled. The acquisition is carried out: for a first position of the carrier, with automatic control allowing an outward scan, combined with a scan in step-and-stare mode with a biaxial stare micro-movement, of a band of terrain of the scene to be carried out, a first strip of images thus being acquired, at least one other strip of images of the same zone of terrain being acquired by reiterating these scanning steps for at least one other position of the carrier, and each image of another strip being acquired with a preset degree of overlap with the images of the first strip.