Pyramidal Sun Sensor Calibration via Dichotomy Method

This work presents the calibration of a low-cost analog sun sensor essential for satellite attitude determination, focusing on measuring azimuth and elevation angles. A dedicated test bench including an optical table, dark room, solar emulator, and rotating table was established to evaluate sensor performance under realistic conditions. The calibration employed the dichotomy method to address the complexities of a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) system, ensuring accurate modeling of sensor outputs against solar angles. Results demonstrated the algorithm's robustness, achieving precise angle identification even with measurement uncertainties. Additionally, an intuitive graphical interface was developed to facilitate the calibration process and enhance the efficiency. This work significantly advances the reliability and affordability of sun sensors in satellite attitude control systems.