The Real-Time LOS Calibration Method by Using MCP for Linear Array Whiskbroom Optical Sensor

Abstract

The space based infrared surveillance system (SBIRS) is a successful application of optical system which includes two different kinds of primary payloads (scanning and staring sensors). The precision of sensor’s line of sight (LOS) can directly determine the precision of targets tracking and location, the timeliness of large size optical image processing even can influence the efficiency of the SBIRS. Based on researching the imaging model and characteristics of scanning sensor, this paper proposes the real-time LOS calibration methods using multi-type control points (MCPs) for improving the precision of scanning sensor’s LOS. The influential factors of LOS error are equivalent to LOS attitude angles, and the theoretical model of LOS attitude angles has been used in the proposed method. By establishing the observation equation of MCPs (ground control points and star control points) and the state transition equation of LOS attitude angles, the real time high precision estimation of LOS attitude angles can be achieved for using the extend Kalman filter (EKF). The experiment results indicate that the proposed method has a high precision and a better smooth performance compared with the least squares method. And, the proposed method can also meet the requirement timeliness of for target tracking mission in SBIRS.