Sun sensors using multi-pinhole overlays

Abstract

Sun sensors or position sensors may be used to determine the angular location of the sun or other object with respect to the sensor. The sun sensor provides high resolution over a wide field of regard. A position or sun sensor comprises a sensor housing, a plurality of pinholes formed In the sensor housing, a detector mounted within the housing and a method of processing the information detected. The detector is mounted in the sensor housing. Each pinhole has a field of view and the detector receives the images from each field of view. Each field of view is defined by the position of the pinhole relative to the detector. The images are received in an overlay relationship thereby providing a field of regard. The processing method determines the presence and location of an object In a field of regard.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.