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Analog sun sensor

  • US 5,572,316 A
  • Filed: 12/07/1994
  • Issued: 11/05/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An attitude sensor for providing continuous positional information for an orbiting body such as a spacecraft, satellite or the like with respect to a reference body comprising:

  • a first continuous sensor continuously viewing a reference body from said orbiting body for generating electrical signals in a predetermined time frame which provide two axis information with respect to the reference body,a second periodic sensor means directed at said reference body from said orbiting body having patterned mask means covering said periodic sensor means for producing periodic electrical signals over a shorter time frame than said electrical signals generated in said predetermined time frame by said first continuous sensor,means for combining said electrical signals from said first continuous sensor and said periodic electrical signals from said second periodic sensor means for periodically calibrating the two axis information provided by said first sensor to correct for errors in the two axis information provided by said first sensor.

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