An infrared earth horizon sensor for a LEO satellite
Date
2008-03
Authors
Van Rensburg, Helgard Marais
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
Horizon sensing is an effective way to determine the pitch and roll of a LEO
satellite and Earth horizon sensors that operate in the visible range of the
electromagnetic spectrum are commonly used. These sensors have the disadvantage
that they cannot operate when the satellite is in eclipse.
Earth horizon sensors that operate in the infrared spectral range are a solution
to take attitude measurements when the satellite is in eclipse. Until
recently infrared detectors could only operate at very low temperatures and
needed to be cryogenically cooled. The result was that their power consumption
and physical characteristics (like dimensions and mass) were such that
they were not suitable for use in small and medium LEO satellites.
As a result of technology expansion in the field of infrared imagers the past
few years, infrared imagers were developed which do not require cooling.
The scope of this project was to develop and implement an Earth horizon
sensor by using a low-cost, uncooled infrared imager. The performance and
physical characteristics of various imager were evaluated and it was decided
to select a low resolution thermopile imager mainly as a result of the cost limitations
of the project. Software algorithms were then evaluated and selected
for horizon detection and attitude determination.
The Earth horizon sensor that was developed did not comply with the accuracy
requirement (3s < 0.1o) that was set for the project because of the low
resolution of the sensor. Methods to improve the accuracy were investigated
and finally a sub-pixel edge estimation algorithm was developed and implemented
which resulted in an improvement of 69% in the pitch accuracy and
49% in roll accuracy. With the sub-pixel edge estimation algorithm implemented the horizon sensor
almost met the accuracy requirements (s < 0.0811o for pitch and s <
0.2944o for roll). This project confirms that, with further improvement to
the design and test facilities, developing a low-cost, uncooled infrared Earth
horizon sensor that meets the accuracy requirements is feasible.
Description
Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008.
Keywords
Earth horizon sensors, Low earth orbit satellite, Signal processing, Artificial satellites, Dissertations -- Electronic engineering, Theses -- Electronic engineering