Initial attitude acquisition by a modern star tracker is investigated here. Criteria for efficient organization of the on-board database are discussed with reference to a brightness-independent initial acquisition algorithm. Star catalog generation preprocessing is described, with emphasis on the identification of minimum star brightness for detection by a sensor based on a charge coupled device (CCD) photodetector. This is a crucial step for proper evaluation of the attainable sky coverage when selecting the stars to be included in the on-board catalog. Test results are also reported, both for reliability and accuracy, even if the former is considered to be the primary target. Probability of erroneous solution is 0.2% in the case of single runs of the procedure, while attitude determination accuracy is in the order of 0.02° in the average for the computation of the inertial pointing of the boresight axis.
Brightness-Independent Start-Up Routine for Star Trackers / Accardo, Domenico; Rufino, Giancarlo. - In: IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON AEROSPACE AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS. - ISSN 0018-9251. - STAMPA. - 38:(2002), pp. 813-823. [10.1109/TAES.2002.1039401]
Brightness-Independent Start-Up Routine for Star Trackers
ACCARDO, DOMENICO;RUFINO, GIANCARLO
2002
Abstract
Initial attitude acquisition by a modern star tracker is investigated here. Criteria for efficient organization of the on-board database are discussed with reference to a brightness-independent initial acquisition algorithm. Star catalog generation preprocessing is described, with emphasis on the identification of minimum star brightness for detection by a sensor based on a charge coupled device (CCD) photodetector. This is a crucial step for proper evaluation of the attainable sky coverage when selecting the stars to be included in the on-board catalog. Test results are also reported, both for reliability and accuracy, even if the former is considered to be the primary target. Probability of erroneous solution is 0.2% in the case of single runs of the procedure, while attitude determination accuracy is in the order of 0.02° in the average for the computation of the inertial pointing of the boresight axis.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
