High Performance FOV Switching Mechanism Design for an Infrared Zoom Lens

Abstract

This paper presents the design and implementation of a prototype dual FOV (field-of-view) zoom lens mechanism. The infrared zoom lens uses a permanent magnet DC motor for the motion driver and a microcontroller as the controller. Through the cooperation of two major sensor signals, a shaft encoder and a position sensor, the FOV switching mechanism can achieve both high-speed and high-precision alignment. Experimental results showed an alignment accuracy average of 0.155 mrads and less than 0.5 second alignment settling time. Despite the influence of the non-zero backlash and the A/D uncertainty on the infrared zoom lens, the goal of alignment can be reached by the cooperation between the two major sensors and the controller. The control strategy for switching control was also proposed to help reaching the high-speed precision design specifications.

Keywords

• switching control
• infrared zoom lens
• dual field-of-view
• absolute alignment