Enhanced image detection for celestial-aided navigation and star tracker systems
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorMatthew Edward Lewis Jungwirth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical image tracker is disclosed. The optical image tracker includes a multi-dimensional translation stage. An optical image detector is disposed on a surface of the multi-dimensional translation stage. An objective lens is coupled to the optical image detector and configured to focus a collimated beam of light on the optical image detector, wherein the collimated beam of light includes a specific field of view within a field of regard, and the multi-dimensional translation stage is configured to position the optical image detector to detect the collimated beam of light.
Claims20
An optical image tracker, comprising:
- a multi-dimensional translation stage;
- an optical image detector disposed on a surface of the multi-dimensional translation stage;
- and
- an objective lens coupled to the optical image detector and configured to focus a collimated beam of light on the optical image detector, wherein the collimated beam of light includes a specific field of view within a field of regard, and the multi-dimensional translation stage is configured to position the optical image detector to detect the collimated beam of light.
A method of operation of an optical image tracker, comprising:
- receiving light energy from a field of regard;
- collimating the light energy from the field of regard;
- positioning a multi-dimensional translation stage at a focal plane of a collimated beam of light associated with a field of view within the field of regard;
- and
- detecting an optical image in the collimated beam of light.
A system, comprising:
- a first objective lens configured to receive light energy from a field of view within a field of regard and convey the received light energy to a first focal point;
- a second objective lens configured to focus a beam of collimated light energy from the field of view to a second focal point;
- an optical image detector coupled to the second objective lens and configured to detect an optical image associated with the collimated light energy from the field of view at the second focal point;
- a multi-dimensional translation stage coupled to the second objective lens and the optical image detector and configured to detect an optical image within the field of view;
- a controller coupled to the optical image detector and the multi-dimensional translation stage and configured to position the multi-dimensional translation stage in response to an error signal from the optical image detector;
- and
- a processing system coupled to the controller and configured to receive and process the detected optical image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.