Astronomy & Space Sciences
Title : | Development of optical correlator based sensors |
Area of research : | Astronomy & Space Sciences |
Focus area : | Vision based navigation, Integrated Navigation |
Details
Executive Summary : | Optical correlators are devices which can compute image crosscorrelators at a high speed (approx. 1000 image cross correlations per second with 1024x1024 grayscale images). The basic difference between an optical correlator and a normal correlation algorithm is optical correlator works based on the Fourier transforming properties of lenses and optical signal processing. Anoptical correlator also makes use of Spatial Light modulators (SLM’s) to encode image information in light. It is essential todevelop and implement a high speed correlator to improve overall performance of Vision Based Navigation Systems. Applications of optical correlators include different proximity operations like docking and landing on a predefined location where speed requirements from vision based navigation is demanding. The technology can be utilized in spent stage recovery, reusable launch vehicles, planetary landing missions etc. Correlating captured images with reference images along with the approximate state information from INS or GPS, vehicle state canbe estimated. Optical correlators can also be useful for applications like target detection and hazard avoidance.The important milestones for the development of technologiesfor optical correlator includes the following: A simulation platform for optical signal, rocessing systems, technical knowhow of spatial light modulators are to beunderstood, optical and opto mechanical design for optical correlato rs., implementation and testing of optical correlators. |
Co-PI: | Bindu John, ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), Thiruvananthapuram, Jyothish M, ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), Thiruvananthapuram |
Organizations involved