Common Scanning Gimbal Stagger-Step Scanning for EO/IR and HSI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems incorporating dissimilar EO/IR and HSI sensors face challenges in achieving increased coverage area without interference, particularly when constrained to a common optical channel.
Innovation Solution
A stagger-step scan method utilizing a common line of sight for both sensors, where the HSI sensor scans vertically while the EO/IR sensor frames horizontally, with a backscan mirror stabilizing the line of sight, allowing for increased HSI coverage without interfering with the EO/IR imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common optical channel is shared by both EO/IR and HSI sensors, then device complexity is reduced, but sensor interference occurs and imaging quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The common optical channel is segmented into separate scanning periods for EO/IR and HSI sensors. The scanner alternates between scanning the EO/IR sensor array and the HSI sensor array, dividing the continuous optical channel usage into discrete time segments for each sensor type, thereby eliminating interference while maintaining a shared optical path
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner performs periodic scanning actions, alternately directing light from the common optical channel to the EO/IR sensor array and the HSI sensor array in a repeating cycle. This periodic switching allows both sensors to share the same optical channel without simultaneous interference, with each sensor receiving light during its designated time window
2Area of moving object
If HSI sensor scans vertically to increase coverage area, then HSI search area increases, but EO/IR imaging coverage rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner dynamically adjusts its scanning pattern based on the sensor type being serviced. During EO/IR scanning periods, the scanner maintains a stable horizontal position to preserve coverage rate, while during HSI scanning periods, it performs vertical scanning to expand search area. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for different sensor requirements at different times
Solution Approach 2:
The HSI sensor scanning is performed in the vertical dimension while the EO/IR sensor maintains horizontal coverage. By separating the scanning dimensions and using time-division multiplexing, the system allows the HSI sensor to expand its vertical field of view without compromising the horizontal coverage rate of the EO/IR sensor during its active periods
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
The method enhances the coverage area of the HSI sensor without sacrificing the coverage rate of the EO/IR imaging, providing a contiguous 2-D image by overlapping scans from the HSI sensor with the EO/IR frames.
Implementation Method 1
The beam splitter is a dichroic mirror configured to provide the first optical channel to the two-dimensional image sensor and provide the second optical channel to the one-dimensional image sensor assembly
Implementation Method 2
The one-dimensional image sensor assembly includes a scanning mirror configured to move the image in an elevation direction to provide scans in elevation of the image
Data Source
AI summary
Optical imaging apparatus and method of operating the same, where the apparatus includes optics configured to provide a first optical channel and a second optical channel through the optics, a two-dimensional image sensor optically coupled to the optics, the two-dimensional image sensor configured to receive a first optical signal from the first optical channel and provide a two-dimensional image, a one-dimensional image sensor assembly optically coupled to the optics and sharing a same line of sight, the one-dimensional image sensor assembly configured to receive a second optical signal from the second optical channel at a one-dimensional image sensor therein to provide an image with an overlapping coverage area in the two-dimensional image, and at least one processor configured to operate the two-dimensional image sensor and the one-dimensional image sensor assembly.