Analogue sun sensor based on the optical nonlinear compensation measuring principle

Abstract

A novel angle measuring principle, the optical nonlinear compensation measuring principle, is presented in this paper based on which a novel analogue sun sensor technology has been developed. The design, the performance and the test of the analogue sun sensor are described. Test results show that the accuracy of the analogue sun sensor is better than 0.2° (3σ) in the entire FOV (field of view) of ±62°, both axes. Compared with other analogue sun sensors, the major advantage of this sun sensor is that its mass and size are relatively low, and that high accuracy and large FOV can be realized simultaneously.