Calibration Methodology for UAV-borne Full Polarization Imaging System

This research focuses on the calibration method of full-polarization imaging systems borne by UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). Polarization imaging technology significantly enhances the environmental perception accuracy and dynamic adaptability of UAV systems by introducing information dimensions such as the degree of polarization and polarization angle. Among these systems, the time-division full-polarization imaging system, with its simple structure and low cost, meets the lightweight load requirements of drone platforms. However, the calibration of the installation angle of polarizing elements and the dynamic offset compensation in this system have become key bottlenecks restricting the improvement of system accuracy. To address these issues, we have designed and built a small, portable calibration system that uses completely non-polarized light and linearly polarized light produced by a standard polarizer to accurately calibrate the actual installation angle of polarizing elements. Image registration technology is employed to correct image differences caused by dynamic offsets of polarizing elements during imaging, thereby significantly improving the measurement accuracy of Stokes vectors in polarization imaging systems. This provides technical support for high-precision polarization remote sensing applications of drones in complex environments.