On-Orbit Calibration for Spaceborne Line Array Camera and LiDAR

For a multi-mode Earth observation satellite carrying a line array camera and a multi-beam line array LiDAR, the relative installation attitude of the two sensors is of great significance. In this paper, we propose an on-orbit calibration method for the relative installation attitude of the camera and the LiDAR with no need for the calibration field and additional satellite attitude maneuvers. Firstly, the on-orbit joint calibration model of the relative installation attitude of the two sensors is established. However, there may exist a multi-solution problem in the solving of the above model constrained by non-ground control points. Thus, an alternate iterative method by solving the pseudo-absolute attitude matrix of each sensor in turn is proposed. The numerical validation and simulation experiments results show that the relative positioning error of the line array camera and the LiDAR in the horizontal direction of the ground can be limited to 0.8 m after correction by the method in this paper.

Automated summary

This paper proposes an on-orbit calibration method for the relative installation attitude of a camera and a LiDAR on a multi-mode Earth observation satellite. The method does not require a calibration field or additional satellite attitude maneuvers. By using an alternate iterative approach, the multi-solution problem is addressed, and the method achieves a good calibration effect.