Imaging systems for moving platforms
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a lens is provided. The lens can be used in an imaging platform of a moving platform (e.g., a projectile or guided munition), for example, in a seeker arrangement. The lens can be configured to optical rotation information of the moving platform to an optical sensor as the moving platform moves in space, for example, following a mission profile.
1 . A system, comprising:
a lens;
an optical sensor configured to receive image data through the lens;
one or more mirrors optically connected to the lens to reflect inertial information to the optical sensor; and
a controller operatively connected to the optical sensor, the controller configured to determine at least one of direction, pitch, roll, and/or yaw of a moving platform based at least in part on the inertial information received by the optical sensor;
wherein the optical sensor defines at least a first pixel area and a second pixel area, wherein the first pixel area includes seeker pixels configured for tracking a target and the second pixel area includes inertial pixels configured for aiding tracking the target.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control one or more control surfaces of the moving platform to adjust a flight path of the moving platform based at least in part on the inertial information received by the optical sensor to account for the at least one of direction, pitch, roll, and/or yaw of the moving platform.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second pixel area is disposed about an outer perimeter of the first pixel area.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more mirrors are configured to reflect the inertial information to the inertial pixels of the second pixel area only.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the second pixel area includes a first pixel array, a second pixel array parallel to the first pixel array, a third pixel array perpendicular to the first and second pixel arrays, and a fourth pixel array parallel to the third pixel array.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the one or more mirrors are configured to reflect an upward looking view to the first pixel array, a downward looking view to the second pixel array, and a horizon view to the third and fourth pixel arrays relative to a flight vector of the projectile regardless of an angle of attack of the moving platform.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to compare a speed of one or more pixels on a first side of the first pixel array and/or the second pixel array to a speed of one or more pixels on a second side of the first pixel array and/or the second pixel array to determine a yaw rate of the platform.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to compare movement of one or more pixels between the first and second side of the first second pixel array and/or the second pixel array to determine a roll rate of the moving platform.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to compare one or more pixels on a first side of the third pixel array and/or fourth pixel array to one or more pixels on a second side of the third pixel array and/or fourth pixel array relative to the horizon to determine a change in pitch of the moving platform and a roll rate of the moving platform.
10 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an optical mask disposed about an outer diameter of the lens.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the mask further includes an antenna.
12 . A moving platform comprising the system of claim 1 .
13 . The moving platform of claim 12 , further comprising a guided munition projectile.
14 . A lens assembly, comprising:
a lens defining a primary optical axis, having an inner surface and an outer surface;
one or more reflective surfaces optically connected to an outer perimeter of the lens oriented orthogonal to the primary optical axis, configured to reflect optical rotation information to an optical sensor while allowing electromagnetic radiation to pass to the lens through an aperture radially inward of the outer perimeter; and
a mask optically connected to one or more of the lens or the one or more reflective surfaces, the mask defining a masked portion and a transparent portion of the lens, wherein the masked portion substantially aligns with the one or more reflective surfaces such that electromagnetic radiation originating from the outer surface of the lens passes directly through the transparent portion of the lens to a first portion of the optical sensor only, and electromagnetic radiation originating from the outer perimeter and/or the inner surface of the lens is reflected to a second portion of the optical sensor only.
15 . The lens of claim 14 , wherein the lens and the one or more reflective surfaces are configured to reflect linear images onto the optical sensor.
16 . The lens of claim 14 , wherein all reflective surfaces of the one or more reflective surfaces are oriented at the same angle relative to the primary optical axis, and wherein the transparent portion includes two or more sub-portions, each sub-portion having a focal length and/or magnification common among all sub-portions.
17 . The lens of claim 14 , wherein at least one reflective surface of the one or more reflective surfaces is oriented at a different angle relative to the primary optical axis than at least one other reflective surface of the one or more reflective surfaces, and wherein the transparent portion includes two or more sub-portions having different magnifications and/or focal lengths relative to one another.
18 . The lens of claim 14 , wherein the lens is configured for use in an imaging platform of a guided munition.
19 . The lens of claim 18 , wherein the optical rotation information includes inertial information of the guided munition as the guided munition moves in space.
20 . A system, comprising:
a lens;
an optical sensor configured to receive image data through the lens;
one or more mirrors optically connected to the lens to reflect inertial information to the optical sensor; and
a controller operatively connected to the optical sensor, the controller configured to determine at least one of direction, pitch, roll, and/or yaw of a moving platform based at least in part on the inertial information received by the optical sensor;
wherein the controller is configured to control one or more control surfaces of the moving platform to adjust a flight path of the moving platform based at least in part on the inertial information received by the optical sensor to account for the at least one of direction, pitch, roll, and/or yaw of the moving platform.