High-precision closed-loop tracking of moving targets based on rotational double prisms

Characterized by its compact structure and fast response, the rotational double prisms system is broadly applicable for high-precision pointing and tracking. In particular, closed-loop tracking technology based on an image detector can overcome beam deflection errors caused by prism parameter and target-guiding errors. However, the rotations of each prism affect beam deflection angles in both the x- and y-directions by different amounts in different areas. Therefore, aimed at this problem of the tracking error being coupled to the rotation angle of the two prisms, we proposed a real-time sector selection closed-loop tracking method by inputting error value feedback from the detector and outputting the adjustment values of the prisms. This method can simultaneously close-loop the error signal in two directions and is not limited by the target distance. We established a test platform to verify the proposed method. The test results showed that the proposed method can continuously track moving targets across different areas of a field of view for an extended period. When the maximum moving speed of the target was 0.32 deg /s, the root mean square tracking error of the noncentral area was <1 arcsec. The simulated and experimental results confirmed the effectiveness of this method. (C) 2021 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)