Pointing Error Correction for a Moving-Platform Electro-Optical Telescope Using an Optimized Parameter Model

Abstract

This paper proposes a new optimized parameter model that enhances the pointing accuracy of moving-platform electro-optical telescopes (MPEOTs). The study begins by comprehensively analyzing the error sources, including the telescope and the platform navigation system. Next, a linear pointing correction model is established based on the target positioning process. To eliminate multicollinearity, stepwise regression is applied to obtain the optimized parameter model. The experimental results show that the MPEOT corrected by this model outperforms the mount model, with pointing errors of less than 50 arcsec for approximately 23 h. In the three tests conducted, the modified azimuth error(s) (RMS) were 14.07″, 12.71″, and 28.93″, and the elevation error(s) (RMS) were 12.94″, 12.73″, and 28.30″, respectively.

Pointing Error Correction for Vehicle-Mounted Single-Photon Ranging Theodolite Using a Piecewise Linear Regression Model

“…However, traditional photoelectric theodolites either lack ranging information or their ranging ability does not match the operating distance of the optical imaging system. Therefore, it becomes necessary to adopt a two-station or multi-station intersection measurement method [4]. With advancements in single-photon high-sensitivity detectors and high-precision timers, vehicle-mounted single-photon ranging theodolites (VSRTs) with high time resolution can detect distances of targets even under extremely low laser echo energy conditions [5,6].…”

“…He et al utilized a linear model to rectify the pointing error in the satellite-ground quantum experiment [13]. Similarly, Zhang et al constructed a pointing error correction model for a space laser communication system through a geometric error analysis [4]. Furthermore, Yan et al developed a linear model of pointing error based on the target positioning process and derived an optimized parameter model using the stepwise regression method, effectively reducing the azimuth error to 14 ′′ and the elevation error to 12 ′′ [14].…”

Active Compensation Technology for the Target Measurement Error of Two-Axis Electro-Optical Measurement Equipment

“…An error compensation model was established by analyzing the error sources of the pointing error for the shipboard photoelectric telescope, aiming at the multicollinearity of the model parameters. Moreover, a stepwise regression method was proposed to compensate the repetitive systematic errors, but the nonlinear errors were not covered [ 18 ]. A linear pointing error model of the optical communication terminal was established by reformulating the linear equations with dependent variables represented by star measurement data, and the parameter vector was determined by the LS method; however, the parameter vector has no clear physical meaning and the enhancement of pointing accuracy is limited [ 19 ].…”

A Simplified Pointing Model for Alt-Az Telescopes

“…This is of significant importance in fields such as astronomy, aerospace, and planetary sciences. Many articles have introduced the principles and methods of the telescope pointing model [2][3][4][5][6]. Meeks et al [3] achieved high-precision pointing calibration for the Haystack antenna by measuring the radiation from cosmic radio sources.…”

“…They achieved a pointing accuracy of 1.31 arcs in the elevation axis and 1.13 arcs in the azimuth axis, starting from the initial errors of 18.15 arcs in the elevation axis and 26.35 arcs in the azimuth axis. He et al [6] employed an optimized parameter model for the Moving-Platform Electro-Optical Telescope. A complex transformation matrix, with 15 dimensions, was adopted.…”