Optical Tracking Using Charge-Coupled Devices

Richard H. Stanton; James W. Alexander; Edwin W. Dennison; Thomas A. Glavich; Larry F. Hovland

doi:10.1117/12.7974173

1 September 1987 Optical Tracking Using Charge-Coupled Devices

Richard H. Stanton, James W. Alexander, Edwin W. Dennison, Thomas A. Glavich, Larry F. Hovland

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 26, Issue 9, 269930 (September 1987). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.7974173

Abstract

Techniques and instruments developed for extracting precise positional information from CCD images of point-source and extended optical targets are described. With the use of thinned, backside-illuminated devices, performance levels close to those expected from straightforward geometric considerations are obtained. For ideal point sources (ie., stars outside of the earth's atmosphere), centerfinding accuracy of 1/100 pixel and measurement jitter of less than 1/250 pixel have been measured. Detailed tests showed that the main factor limiting tracker accuracy is small variation in the optical image shape rather than CCD noise or response nonuniformity. Methods of searching the entire field for the desired targets are described, along with windowing techniques for tracking. Also discussed are three specific examples of flight instruments previously developed or now being developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Citation Download Citation

Richard H. Stanton, James W. Alexander, Edwin W. Dennison, Thomas A. Glavich, and Larry F. Hovland "Optical Tracking Using Charge-Coupled Devices," Optical Engineering 26(9), 269930 (1 September 1987). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.7974173

Published: 1 September 1987

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available