Telescope Pointing Axis Estimation Using Attitude Detectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pointing axis estimation apparatuses cannot detect optical axis variations of a laser light source unit and optical axis detection unit, leading to incomplete estimation of telescope pointing axis variations.
Innovation Solution
A pointing axis estimation apparatus comprising a laser light source-unit attitude detector, an optical axis detection-unit attitude detector, a pointing axis calculator, and a pointing error estimator, which calculate and remove variations to estimate true pointing errors by using inertial sensors and optical conversion coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a related-art pointing axis estimation apparatus uses laser light beams and light receiving elements to detect alignment variations, then image distortion caused by observation viewing direction changes can be corrected, but optical axis variations of the laser light source unit and optical axis detection unit cannot be detected, leading to incomplete estimation of telescope pointing axis variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the pointing axis estimation into multiple independent detection components: laser light source unit attitude detectors, optical axis detection unit attitude detectors, and optical axis error detectors. Each component measures specific aspects of the system, and their results are combined to achieve complete pointing axis estimation while removing spurious variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces attitude detectors as intermediary devices that measure the orientation of the laser light source unit and optical axis detection unit separately. These intermediaries provide additional measurement data that enables the system to distinguish between true telescope pointing errors and spurious variations caused by other components.
2Measurement precision
If multiple attitude detectors and calculation units are added to detect optical axis variations, then true pointing errors can be estimated by removing spurious variations, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attitude detectors serve multiple functions: they detect the orientation of their respective units, provide data for calculating spurious variations, and enable the removal of these variations from the final pointing error estimation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each measurement task.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the laser light source unit and optical axis detection unit themselves as part of the measurement system. By detecting the attitude of these existing components, the system obtains information about spurious variations without requiring completely separate external measurement devices, thereby reducing overall complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a pointing axis estimation apparatus capable of removing pointing axis variations caused by factors other than pointing axis variations of a telescope, thereby estimating true pointing errors of the telescope. The pointing axis estimation apparatus includes: a laser light source-unit attitude detector (18) for calculating translational and rotational displacements of a laser light source unit (4); an optical axis detection-unit attitude detector (19) for calculating translational and rotational displacements of an optical axis detection unit (11); a pointing axis calculator (20) for calculating a pointing axis based on information from an optical axis error detector (5); and a pointing error estimator (21) for calculating a true pointing error of a telescope based on displacement data output from the detectors and the calculator.