Multiplexing image detector method for digital sun sensors with arc-second class accuracy and large FOV

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Aerospace Engineering
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Digital Sun Sensors (DSS) traditionally face a trade-off between accuracy and field of view (FOV).
• Achieving arc-second accuracy typically requires narrow FOVs, limiting applications.
• Existing DSS often struggle to balance high precision with wide-angle detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a Digital Sun Sensor (DSS) achieving arc-second accuracy within a large field of view (FOV).
• To propose and validate a multiplexing image detector method for enhanced DSS performance.
• To analyze and optimize diffraction effects and aperture parameters for a novel DSS mask.

Main Methods:

• A single multiplexing image detector was employed with a dedicated mask.
• The mask featured groups of encoding apertures, dividing the FOV into sub-FOVs.
• Diffraction effects and aperture parameters (size, focal length, FOV, clearance) were analyzed and optimized via simulation.

Main Results:

• A dedicated mask with 13x13 aperture groups was designed and fabricated.
• A prototype DSS utilizing a single multiplexing detector and 13x13 sub-FOVs was successfully built and tested.
• The DSS prototype achieved 5 arc-second (3σ) accuracy within a 105° × 105° FOV.

Conclusions:

• The proposed multiplexing image detector method enables high-accuracy DSS with large FOVs.
• This technique preserves the desirable low power consumption, small size, and high dynamic range of sun sensors.
• The novel DSS design offers a significant advancement for space attitude determination and navigation.