Terminal descent drift detection for Martian landing using a joint transform correlator

Gary W. Sjolander

doi:10.1117/12.160302

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25 October 1993 Terminal descent drift detection for Martian landing using a joint transform correlator

Gary W. Sjolander

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Proceedings Volume 1959, Optical Pattern Recognition IV; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.160302
Event: Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1993, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Removing the drift component for terminal descent onto the Martian surface is an important factor for improving the chances of a safe landing. Historically, active radar has been the sensor of choice, but in an effort to reduce power, weight, and volume, we have been investigating the use of an optical processor to analyze descent imagery. Such a processor is a joint transform correlator (JTC) that can compare a current descent image frame with a previously stored image (the reference image). The correlation of overlapping image data provides an output peak that is shifted relative to the autocorrelation peak location at the detection plane. This displacement of the correlation peak from the reference combined with time and altitude information can be processed to provide a drift velocity vector. This paper presents computer simulated results of a JTC processor using Martian terrain board video data. These data were obtained from a camera mounted to a moving base carriage that simulated a realistic descent profile from a scaled altitude of 1,500 m to 100 m.

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Gary W. Sjolander "Terminal descent drift detection for Martian landing using a joint transform correlator", Proc. SPIE 1959, Optical Pattern Recognition IV, (25 October 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.160302

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