A system and method for array level terrain based backtracking includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with a rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, retrieve height information, execute a shadow model based on the retrieved height information and the position of the sun, determine a first angle for the tracker; collect an angle for each tracker in a plurality of trackers in an array; adjust the first angle based on executing the shadow model with the first angle and the plurality of angles associated with the plurality of trackers; transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the adjusted first angle.

A satellite module for attitude determination includes a containment body comprising at least one data acquisition board and a connection interface, at least one first-type sensor selected from a sun sensor, an earth sensor, a stellar sensor, a horizon sensor, in communication with the data acquisition board and at least one second-type sensor, different from the first type, selected from a sun sensor, an earth sensor, a stellar sensor, a horizon sensor, and in communication with the data acquisition board. The connection interface may be mounted on a first face of the containment body, the first-type sensor may be mounted on a second face of the containment body, and the second-type sensor may be mounted on a third face of the containment body.

An adaptive filter system and a method for controlling the adaptive filter system are described herein. The system can includes one or more filters to attenuate incoming light. The one or more filters can be moved by one or more actuators. The method can capture image data from an imaging device through the one or more filters. Information can be determined from the captured image data. The one or more filters can be moved to a position for capturing image data based on the information.

A system and method for array level terrain based backtracking includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with a rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, retrieve height information, execute a shadow model based on the retrieved height information and the position of the sun, determine a first angle for the tracker; collect an angle for each tracker in a plurality of trackers in an array; adjust the first angle based on executing the shadow model with the first angle and the plurality of angles associated with the plurality of trackers; transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the adjusted first angle.

A computer-implemented method includes receiving, with a vehicle computing system, global position system (GPS) data associated with a vehicle, determining a solar position relative to the vehicle, receiving trip information associated with the vehicle, and executing one or more vehicle actuators based at least in part on the GPS data, the trip information and the solar position relative to the vehicle. Determining the solar position can include determining a sun glare period during a future time period based at least in part on the trip information associated with the vehicle. The vehicle computing system may display a warning indicative of the sun glare period, generate a window tint command that causes the window to tint and/or generate a vent control command that causes the vent to change one or more of an airflow temperature, and an airflow velocity.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to solar tracking apparatuses, systems that include the same, and methods of operating the same. An example solar tracking apparatus includes a structure attachment portion configured to be attached to a structure (e.g., a moveable or stationary structure) and to remain relatively stationary relative to the structure. The structure attachment portion may include one or more mounts configured to attach the structure attachment portion to the structure. The solar tracking apparatus also includes at least one solar panel portion coupled to the structure attachment portion. The solar panel portion may be configured to move relative to the structure attachment portion and the structure. For example, the solar tracking apparatus may include one or more actuators coupled to solar panel portion configured to move at least a portion of the solar panel portion relative to the structure attachment portion.

In a method of determining the position of an object, raw image data of the sky is recorded using a celestial imaging unit. The last known position, orientation, date, and time data of the object are obtained, and the position of a celestial body is measured. A latitude and longitude of the object is determined by matching the measured celestial body position to the expected celestial body position based on the input parameters. A system for determining a new position of an object comprises a celestial imaging unit configured to record image data of the sky, a signal processing unit, and a signal processing unit configured to receive and store in memory the image data received from the celestial imaging unit. The signal processing unit filters the image to find the positions of celestial objects in the sky. The signal processing unit is further configured to use roll and pitch from an IMU, and date and time from a clock to determine the object's position (latitude and longitude).

There is provided a sensor device, a sensor module, and methods for determining a position of a light source. The sensor device comprises a plurality of sensor units, each sensor unit having a respective sensor area. The sensor device also comprises a mask disposed above the plurality of sensor units and arranged such that incident light from the light source will illuminate different regions of the sensor area of each one of the sensor units depending on the position of the light source relative to the sensor device. The position of the light source may therefore be determined based on which regions of the sensor area of the sensor units are illuminated. Further, each sensor unit is arranged to be controlled by a respective unit controller to determine the position of the light source.

An adaptive filter system and a method for controlling the adaptive filter system are described herein. The system can includes one or more filters to attenuate incoming light. The one or more filters can be moved by one or more actuators. The method can capture image data from an imaging device through the one or more filters. Information can be determined from the captured image data. The one or more filters can be moved to a position for capturing image data based on the information.

System and method of controlling operation of an optical sensor in a device. The optical sensor is configured to employ a scan pattern to scan respective portions of a full field of view. A navigation sensor is configured to obtain location coordinates of the device. An inertial sensor is configured to obtain an acceleration data of the device in a plurality of directions. A controller is configured to determine a position of the device at the present time based in part on the location coordinates and the acceleration data. The controller is configured to determine a sun striking zone based in part on a relative position of the sun and the device. When a sun overlap region between the respective portions of the full field of view and sun striking zone exceeds a first overlap threshold, operation of the optical sensor is modified.