A MOEMS Sun Sensor for Using in UAV; Design and Algorithm

A micro sun sensor is designed using MEMS technology in this article. Usual sensors used in UAVs have some restrictions that cannot always be used. For example, magnetic sensors performance decrease considerably near earth due to metals used in structures and mines. So, use of celestial objects seems a good supplement for such sensors. Sun is an illimitable source of energy, massive, and passim in space, so, owing to these characteristics can be detected easily. Sun sensor in this paper can measure two angles using its specific slit, while this sun sensor performs 2-D detection with using only one detector. MEMS technology provides two important features which are crucial for space applications which lead to smaller sizes with lower costs of the mission. This detector which consists of a 4.1cm×4.1cm square, a slit with 1.3cm width, and three 1cm×1cm square sensing layers are capable of determination of attitude in two axes

Keywords:

Sun Sensor , UAV , MEMS , Attitude Determination