The surface of a complex material with a periodic structure is equivalent to the surface of a uniform material, and the measurement and data processing methods for the equivalent optical BRDF of a solar panel based on a large-scale spot are proposed. Based on a solar simulator, high-intensity light illuminometer, low-intensity light illuminometer and precise rotary platform, the BRDF automatic measurement platform is built. Spot size optimization and a measurement radius optimization method are proposed. The measurement results show that the BRDF of the solar panel has specular reflection characteristics, but that it still differs from the solar cell in the half width of the BRDF curve. Measurement error analysis is performed for the measurement process; its value is 6.74%. The measurement results can be used to improve the understanding of the optical reflection characteristics of the solar panel. Meanwhile, the method can also be used to measure and characterize the coatings of heat insulation material and scattering coating. The measurement data also has practical reference value for evaluations of improvements of the light absorption of the surface functional material. Finally, it can be used to simulate the target image scene.
This research presents the modelling and simulation method of the visible imaging characteristics for a space target. The surface of the space target is divided into facets in order to improve the modelling precision. Based on the consideration of the mixing-material of the solar panel, the measuring method of the equivalent BRDF is proposed, from which we achieve the measurement and modelling of the equivalent BRDF of the solar panel. To reflect the operate mode of the solar panel pointing to the sun, a calculation method of panel normal vector is proposed based on the principle of maximum light efficiency. The simulation of the detection signal is carried out according to the OTF and the photoelectric response model. The results show that the proposed modelling method can simulate the imaging characteristics of space targets with a complex structure, as well as correctly reflect the movement characteristics of the on-orbit satellite.