RFS-019 optics restart - 2026-07-04
Restart prescription work from the recorded advisory survey target.
The old 200 mm train is a useful export reference, but it is a spotter scale. This register maps the current requirements gates to the optical targets that can honestly start the next custom survey prescription.
Current state
The source-evidence gate is satisfied; trace evidence is still absent.
Recorded advisory RFS-011 source evidence selects wide_survey_3cm_char; measured no-vignetting, detector-plane, fold-angle, and flat-image trace evidence remains unwritten.
Source note: projects/rural-fire-service-camera/rfs-011-source-note-2026-07-05.md.
Restart gates
The prescription pass now waits on measured trace evidence.
| Gate | Current state | Pass record |
|---|---|---|
| Stakeholder source evidence | received (advisory study defaults): projects/rural-fire-service-camera/rfs-011-source-note-2026-07-05.md dated 2026-07-05 selects wide_survey_3cm_char. | Treat the source-evidence gate as satisfied for labelled-preliminary research traces; any dated Dani/RFS answer supersedes the advisory defaults. |
| Survey case selects the optics regime | Closeable as a bounded first-build plan if stakeholder accepts the cost risk. | The 500 ha waiver path needs 2 payloads at a max unit cost of USD 33k; the 500 ha 120 m path needs 3 payloads at USD 22k. |
| Payload branch controls custom prescription timing | COTS-first survey system; custom reflective research continues for waiver/spotter regimes; vendor quote evidence remains dormant, while custom reflective tracing continues as the chartered research path. | The first custom trace target is wide_survey_3cm_char; do not claim procurement readiness until returned product lens, F-number, raw-data, mass, power, and price evidence exists. |
| Optical whiteboard constraints | The old 200 mm design is a spotter plate scale, not the survey prescription. | Any restart candidate must avoid beam vignetting, keep fold/incidence angles small where possible, stop propagation at the detector image plane, and keep the image surface flat. |
Source evidence intake
The first trace has advisory source fields before execution.
This checklist shows the source records that now back the reserved wide-survey acceptance artifact while leaving optical trace metrics to the next run.
| Record | Source field | Acceptance record | Missing action | Trace effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target area and revisit convention target_area | Record the selected hourly target area in hectares and whether revisit is per fleet. | RFS-011 evidence ledger row cites the stakeholder source note and matches one sign-off matrix path. | Advisory value received from projects/rural-fire-service-camera/rfs-011-source-note-2026-07-05.md: 500 (per fleet, hourly revisit, planning case). Rerun derived artifacts if a dated Dani/RFS answer supersedes it. | Selects whether the 25 mm wide-survey row, 50 mm fallback, or mission-hold row is eligible. |
| Altitude basis altitude_basis | Record whether the first build uses the 120 m cap or an above-120 m waiver/authorisation path. | Evidence ledger names the altitude basis and source; 500 ha parallel path requires the waiver case. | Advisory value received from projects/rural-fire-service-camera/rfs-011-source-note-2026-07-05.md: 120 m AGL cap binding; waiver variant documented as upside only. Rerun derived artifacts if a dated Dani/RFS answer supersedes it. | Confirms whether the 25 mm wide-survey optical scale is a valid first trace input. |
| Payload branch payload_branch | Record COTS-first, custom-first, or parallel COTS/custom, plus any exact product evidence if COTS-first. | Parallel COTS/custom can unlock the custom 25 mm trace; COTS-first waits for product FOV, F-number, raw-data, mass, power, and price evidence. | Advisory value received from projects/rural-fire-service-camera/rfs-011-source-note-2026-07-05.md: COTS-first survey system; custom reflective research continues for waiver/spotter regimes. Rerun derived artifacts if a dated Dani/RFS answer supersedes it. | Controls whether RFS-019 custom prescription work starts now or waits on vendor data. |
| Airframe and payload-mass basis airframe_class | Record whether the 2 kg-capable fixed-wing or VTOL class is acceptable for the trial. | Evidence ledger records the accepted airframe class, payload mass boundary, and source note. | Advisory value received from projects/rural-fire-service-camera/rfs-011-source-note-2026-07-05.md: 2 kg-capable fixed-wing/VTOL accepted. Rerun derived artifacts if a dated Dani/RFS answer supersedes it. | Prevents a passing optical trace from being promoted into an infeasible payload plan. |
| Sign-off authority and source note signoff_authority | Record stakeholder name or role, date, medium, and source artifact or meeting note. | The trace acceptance source_evidence section can cite the exact ledger row and source artifact. | Advisory value received from projects/rural-fire-service-camera/rfs-011-source-note-2026-07-05.md: Greg Baker (project lead); advisory working assumptions for the research study. Rerun derived artifacts if a dated Dani/RFS answer supersedes it. | Allows the reserved trace packet to move from blocked to executable. |
Source evidence readiness
Each trace-unlock field now carries the advisory source-note value.
This readiness gate is derived from the RFS-011 evidence ledger contract. It keeps the future trace JSON from treating planning pages as stakeholder evidence.
| Ledger field | Current status | Required value | Readiness check | Trace unlock effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source note date source_note_date | received (advisory study defaults): 2026-07-05 | YYYY-MM-DD date for the meeting note, email, signed record, or quote bundle. | Must be a real date and must not be inferred from a planning artifact date. | Moves the wide-survey packet from an undated planning state to a source-backed trace candidate. |
| Source artifact or note source_artifact_or_note | received (advisory study defaults): projects/rural-fire-service-camera/rfs-011-source-note-2026-07-05.md | Repository path, email subject, meeting note identifier, signed PDF, or vendor quote ID. | Must be specific enough for another reviewer to find the source record. | Lets the future trace artifact cite the exact stakeholder or vendor record instead of this plan. |
| Sign-off authority signoff_authority | received (advisory study defaults): Greg Baker (project lead); advisory working assumptions for the research study | Stakeholder name or role, plus whether the record is advisory or acceptance. | Must identify who can accept the requirements baseline before RFS-011 can close. | Identifies who accepted the requirements basis that unlocks custom prescription work. |
| Target area and revisit convention target_area_ha | received (advisory study defaults): 500 (per fleet, hourly revisit, planning case) | Hourly target area in hectares and whether the revisit target is per fleet. | Must match one coverage-sizing/sign-off path; do not default to 500 ha without source evidence. | Selects the 25 mm wide-survey row, 50 mm fallback, or mission-hold path. |
| Altitude basis altitude_basis | received (advisory study defaults): 120 m AGL cap binding; waiver variant documented as upside only | 120 m cap, above-120 m waiver/authorisation path, or other recorded operating basis. | Must name the authority or assumption that permits any above-120 m coverage row. | Confirms whether the 25 mm survey scale can represent the selected coverage case. |
| Payload branch payload_branch | received (advisory study defaults): COTS-first survey system; custom reflective research continues for waiver/spotter regimes | COTS-first, custom-first, or parallel COTS/custom, plus exact product row if COTS-first. | Must be consistent with quote evidence, budget ceiling, raw-data access, and calibration state. | Determines whether custom tracing starts now, waits for COTS quote evidence, or runs in parallel. |
| Airframe class and SWaP basis airframe_class | received (advisory study defaults): 2 kg-capable fixed-wing/VTOL accepted | 2 kg-capable fixed-wing/VTOL class accepted, or replacement mass/power/volume envelope. | Must be compatible with the payload branch and coverage model assumptions. | Prevents an optically passing trace from bypassing the 2 kg payload feasibility gate. |
| Selected optics target key selected_target_key | received (advisory study defaults): wide_survey_3cm_char | One of wide_survey_3cm_char, finer_survey_3cm_char, legacy_spotter_design, or mission hold. | Must follow from the target area, altitude, payload branch, and sign-off matrix path. | Must match `wide_survey_3cm_char` before the reserved first trace can pass. |
Target register
Each target row names the optical scale and the decision that would unlock it.
| Target | Status | Class | Optical target | GSD | Swath | SNR 1 px | Coverage note | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide survey restart target assets/rfs/fnumber-aperture-trade.json, requirements-signoff-matrix.html, projects/rural-fire-service-camera/rfs-011-source-note-2026-07-05.md | source-evidence-satisfied (advisory) - first trace target under recorded defaults | 3 cm smouldering char | 25 mm EFL, F/3.2, 7.8 mm entrance aperture | 8.16 cm | 52.22 m | 7.92 | Recorded default is 500 (per fleet, hourly revisit, planning case) with 120 m AGL cap binding; waiver variant documented as upside only; the waiver variant would need 2 payloads at USD 33k max unit cost. | Use this 25 mm-class survey target for the labelled-preliminary RFS-019 trace after the optimizer retargeting groundwork is in place. |
| Finer 3 cm char target assets/rfs/fnumber-aperture-trade.json, coverage-sizing-grid.html | conditional - lower coverage, higher localization margin | 3 cm smouldering char | 50 mm EFL, F/4, 12.5 mm entrance aperture | 4.08 cm | 26.11 m | 13.41 | Use if RFS accepts a focused block or more payloads; the 500 ha 120 m case needs 3 payloads and is budget-tight for custom optics. | Keep as the first fallback prescription scale when localization or detector-energy margin matters more than maximum swath. |
| Weak-edge stress target assets/rfs/fnumber-aperture-trade.json, requirements-evidence-ledger.html | gated - do not promote unless the target class reopens | 1 cm weak warm edge | 50 mm EFL, F/1.6, 31.2 mm entrance aperture | 4.08 cm | 26.11 m | 5.81 | This is a stress case, not the current first-build driver; it requires much faster optics and should not steer RFS-019 unless RFS promotes 1 cm weak warm edges. | Preserve this row as a stress metric in the next optimizer, but do not make it the design driver without a recorded RFS-011 change. |
| Legacy 200 mm spotter scale optics.html, assets/rfs/fnumber-aperture-trade.json | blocked for area survey | 3 cm smouldering char | 200 mm EFL, F/5, 40.0 mm entrance aperture | 1.02 cm | 6.53 m | 13.21 | The current committed 200 mm F/5 prescription has enough spotter-scale SNR for the 3 cm char but only a single-digit metre swath. | Do not use this as the area-survey prescription target; keep it only as a geometry and export pipeline reference. |
| 1000 ha stretch hold coverage-sizing-grid.html, requirements-signoff-matrix.html | blocked - mission or budget replan before prescription restart | 3 cm smouldering char | 25 mm EFL, F/3.2, 7.8 mm entrance aperture | 8.16 cm | 52.22 m | 7.92 | Even with an altitude waiver, the 1000 ha case needs 3 payloads at USD 22k max unit cost. | Ask whether RFS prefers a smaller first-trial block, altitude waiver, or larger payload budget. |
Optimizer start bundle
The restart register now carries explicit inputs and gates for the next prescription run.
These rows are machine-readable in assets/rfs/optics-restart-targets.json;
blocked rows remain present only so the optimizer and review pages can reject them deliberately.
| Start | State | Optical input | Survey field | Detection metric | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide survey restart target advisory primary survey start | Advisory start: RFS-011 source evidence is satisfied by the recorded study defaults. | 25.00 mm F/3.20 7.81 mm aperture | 24.55 x 19.75 deg 8.16 cm GSD 52.22 m swath | 3 cm smouldering char: SNR 1px 7.92, SNR 2x2 12.14 | Start a fresh four-mirror survey prescription around this 25 mm-class scale; do not scale the old 200 mm spotter surfaces. |
| Finer 3 cm char target conditional fallback start | Conditional fallback: use if RFS accepts lower coverage for more localization and detector-energy margin. | 50.00 mm F/4.00 12.50 mm aperture | 12.42 x 9.95 deg 4.08 cm GSD 26.11 m swath | 3 cm smouldering char: SNR 1px 13.41, SNR 2x2 22.57 | Run as the first fallback geometry after the wide survey start, with the same no-vignetting and detector-plane gates. |
| Weak-edge stress target stress metric only | Gated stress row: preserve as an optimizer metric, not the design driver, unless RFS reopens the target class. | 50.00 mm F/1.60 31.25 mm aperture | 12.42 x 9.95 deg 4.08 cm GSD 26.11 m swath | 1 cm weak warm edge: SNR 1px 5.81, SNR 2x2 4.73 | Track this row in merit reporting so a fast weak-edge design is visible, but keep the 3 cm char as the selected driver. |
| Legacy 200 mm spotter scale blocked reference | Blocked reference: this is the committed spotter-scale design, not a survey restart input. | 200.00 mm F/5.00 40.00 mm aperture | 3.12 x 2.49 deg 1.02 cm GSD 6.53 m swath | 3 cm smouldering char: SNR 1px 13.21, SNR 2x2 23.64 | Use only to verify export, trace, and packaging pipelines; keep it out of survey prescription optimization. |
| 1000 ha stretch hold blocked mission hold | Blocked hold: the 1000 ha case needs mission or budget replanning before a custom prescription restart. | 25.00 mm F/3.20 7.81 mm aperture | 24.55 x 19.75 deg 8.16 cm GSD 52.22 m swath | 3 cm smouldering char: SNR 1px 7.92, SNR 2x2 12.14 | Do not optimize a custom survey prescription for this row until RFS chooses a smaller block, altitude waiver, or larger budget. |
Hard gate: modeled unobscured throughput must stay >=90% at every field and no mirror, stop, window, baffle, or package boundary may clip the active beam.
Hard gate: stop propagation at the flat detector image plane and score spot/energy there.
Soft gate: minimize fold and incidence angles after throughput, detector-energy, and package gates pass.
Report detector-plane focus curvature; do not rely on a curved image surface or field-dependent detector placement.
Pre-trace feasibility
Gross aperture and field checks now sit in front of the next ray trace.
This screen only separates plausible starts from blocked references. It does not replace the required no-vignetting, detector-plane, fold-angle, and flat-image checks in the optimizer.
| Target | Scale | Entrance aperture | Diagonal field | Required next check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide survey restart target source-evidence-satisfied (advisory) - first trace target under recorded defaults | survey-scale swath | 7.81 mm 5.2% of 150 mm 142.19 mm gross margin | 31.14 deg wide-field freeform risk | Gross entrance aperture fits the 150 mm envelope, but this is not a layout pass; the next trace must still prove unobscured folded geometry and detector-plane energy. Report per-field unobscured throughput, detector-plane RMS and ensquared energy, chief-ray/fold angles, and image-plane curvature before accepting the row. |
| Finer 3 cm char target conditional - lower coverage, higher localization margin | limited-survey swath | 12.50 mm 8.3% of 150 mm 137.50 mm gross margin | 15.86 deg moderate field risk | Gross entrance aperture fits the 150 mm envelope, but this is not a layout pass; the next trace must still prove unobscured folded geometry and detector-plane energy. Report per-field unobscured throughput, detector-plane RMS and ensquared energy, chief-ray/fold angles, and image-plane curvature before accepting the row. |
| Weak-edge stress target gated - do not promote unless the target class reopens | limited-survey swath | 31.25 mm 20.8% of 150 mm 118.75 mm gross margin | 15.86 deg moderate field risk | Carry as a stress metric only; do not promote to the selected start without a target-class decision. Report per-field unobscured throughput, detector-plane RMS and ensquared energy, chief-ray/fold angles, and image-plane curvature before accepting the row. |
| Legacy 200 mm spotter scale blocked for area survey | spotter-scale swath | 40.00 mm 26.7% of 150 mm 110.00 mm gross margin | 3.99 deg narrow-field reference | Do not trace as a survey start; keep this row only as a rejected or reference case. Report per-field unobscured throughput, detector-plane RMS and ensquared energy, chief-ray/fold angles, and image-plane curvature before accepting the row. |
| 1000 ha stretch hold blocked - mission or budget replan before prescription restart | survey-scale swath | 7.81 mm 5.2% of 150 mm 142.19 mm gross margin | 31.14 deg wide-field freeform risk | Do not trace as a survey start; keep this row only as a rejected or reference case. Report per-field unobscured throughput, detector-plane RMS and ensquared energy, chief-ray/fold angles, and image-plane curvature before accepting the row. |
Trace input bundle
The first trace now has deterministic field and pupil samples.
The JSON artifact carries the exact field coordinates. The visible bundle fixes the minimum sampling contract before any row can claim the no-vignetting, detector-plane, fold-angle, or flat-image gates.
| Target | Optical field | Field and pupil samples | Required outputs | Pass or fallback rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide survey restart target conditional first trace input | 25 mm EFL, F/3.2, 7.8 mm entrance aperture 24.55 x 19.75 deg field 31.14 deg diagonal | 13 samples: center, +/- mid-field, +/- edge, and four corners. 17 rays/field, 221 rays minimum | per-field unobscured throughput detector-plane RMS spot size 2x2 and 16x16 ensquared energy at the flat image plane chief-ray and fold/incidence angles image-plane curvature or best-fit focus spread | Accept only after all field samples and pupil rings report >=90% unobscured throughput, detector-plane RMS and ensquared energy at the flat image plane, chief-ray/fold angles, and image-plane curvature. If the 31 deg-class field fails throughput or flat-image gates, run the 50 mm fallback bundle. |
| Finer 3 cm char target fallback trace input | 50 mm EFL, F/4, 12.5 mm entrance aperture 12.42 x 9.95 deg field 15.86 deg diagonal | 13 samples: center, +/- mid-field, +/- edge, and four corners. 17 rays/field, 221 rays minimum | per-field unobscured throughput detector-plane RMS spot size 2x2 and 16x16 ensquared energy at the flat image plane chief-ray and fold/incidence angles image-plane curvature or best-fit focus spread | Accept only if the selected stakeholder path still tolerates the lower swath and the same no-vignetting, detector-plane, fold-angle, and flat-image evidence is recorded. If this fallback fails, reopen the RFS-011 mission or payload branch rather than adding hidden complexity. |
| Weak-edge stress target stress metric input only | 50 mm EFL, F/1.6, 31.2 mm entrance aperture 12.42 x 9.95 deg field 15.86 deg diagonal | 13 samples: center, +/- mid-field, +/- edge, and four corners. 17 rays/field, 221 rays minimum | per-field unobscured throughput detector-plane RMS spot size 2x2 and 16x16 ensquared energy at the flat image plane chief-ray and fold/incidence angles image-plane curvature or best-fit focus spread | Report the same ray-trace evidence, but keep it separate from the 3 cm char design-driver acceptance decision. Do not promote without a new stakeholder target-class record. |
| Legacy 200 mm spotter scale reference-only input | 200 mm EFL, F/5, 40.0 mm entrance aperture 3.12 x 2.49 deg field 3.99 deg diagonal | 13 samples: center, +/- mid-field, +/- edge, and four corners. 17 rays/field, 221 rays minimum | per-field unobscured throughput detector-plane RMS spot size 2x2 and 16x16 ensquared energy at the flat image plane chief-ray and fold/incidence angles image-plane curvature or best-fit focus spread | Use only to verify the trace/export pipeline; this plate scale does not pass the survey mission gate. Only a stakeholder switch to a cued spotter mission can make this prescription-relevant. |
| 1000 ha stretch hold mission-hold input | 25 mm EFL, F/3.2, 7.8 mm entrance aperture 24.55 x 19.75 deg field 31.14 deg diagonal | 13 samples: center, +/- mid-field, +/- edge, and four corners. 17 rays/field, 221 rays minimum | per-field unobscured throughput detector-plane RMS spot size 2x2 and 16x16 ensquared energy at the flat image plane chief-ray and fold/incidence angles image-plane curvature or best-fit focus spread | No trace is due before the mission and budget path changes. Ask for smaller first-trial area, altitude waiver, larger budget, or COTS-first selection. |
Trace execution packet
The first measured trace now has named outputs and numeric gates.
Each packet reserves an artifact stem and carries the exact inputs and acceptance metrics the trace runner must report. The wide survey packet is source-backed but not yet executed.
| Target | Artifact stem | Required inputs | Acceptance metrics | Blocker and next action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide survey restart target source-evidence satisfied (advisory) - ready for retargeted trace work | wide_survey_3cm_char_trace_acceptance_2026-07-04 | 25 mm EFL, F/3.2, 7.8 mm entrance aperture 24.55 x 19.75 deg field, 31.14 deg diagonal 13 samples: center, +/- mid-field, +/- edge, and four corners pupil rings 0, 0.7, 1; 8 azimuths; 17 rays/field minimum flat detector image plane; no downstream propagation beyond detector position no-vignetting screen for mirrors, stop, window, baffle, package, and detector | field samples traced == 13 rays per field >= 17 total traced rays >= 221 unobscured throughput >= 0.9 detector-plane RMS plus 2x2 and 16x16 ensquared energy reported all fields chief-ray and fold/incidence angles reported all reflective surfaces image-plane curvature or best-fit focus spread reported all field samples | Source gate satisfied by projects/rural-fire-service-camera/rfs-011-source-note-2026-07-05.md; measured optical trace evidence is still absent. Complete the optimizer retargeting groundwork, then run the fresh 25 mm survey prescription trace and write the measured acceptance JSON against this packet. |
| Finer 3 cm char target fallback - execute only after wide-survey trace failure or stakeholder selection | finer_survey_3cm_char_trace_acceptance_2026-07-04 | 50 mm EFL, F/4, 12.5 mm entrance aperture 12.42 x 9.95 deg field, 15.86 deg diagonal 13 samples: center, +/- mid-field, +/- edge, and four corners pupil rings 0, 0.7, 1; 8 azimuths; 17 rays/field minimum flat detector image plane; no downstream propagation beyond detector position no-vignetting screen for mirrors, stop, window, baffle, package, and detector | field samples traced == 13 rays per field >= 17 total traced rays >= 221 unobscured throughput >= 0.9 detector-plane RMS plus 2x2 and 16x16 ensquared energy reported all fields chief-ray and fold/incidence angles reported all reflective surfaces image-plane curvature or best-fit focus spread reported all field samples | Requires wide-survey trace failure or explicit stakeholder selection of lower swath. Use the same packet if the 31 deg survey trace fails throughput or flat-image gates, or if RFS accepts the lower-swath path. |
| Weak-edge stress target diagnostic only - do not promote without a target-class decision | weak_edge_stress_trace_acceptance_2026-07-04 | 50 mm EFL, F/1.6, 31.2 mm entrance aperture 12.42 x 9.95 deg field, 15.86 deg diagonal 13 samples: center, +/- mid-field, +/- edge, and four corners pupil rings 0, 0.7, 1; 8 azimuths; 17 rays/field minimum flat detector image plane; no downstream propagation beyond detector position no-vignetting screen for mirrors, stop, window, baffle, package, and detector | field samples traced == 13 rays per field >= 17 total traced rays >= 221 unobscured throughput >= 0.9 detector-plane RMS plus 2x2 and 16x16 ensquared energy reported all fields chief-ray and fold/incidence angles reported all reflective surfaces image-plane curvature or best-fit focus spread reported all field samples | Requires a new stakeholder target-class record that promotes the weak-edge case. Keep as a separate stress metric so weak-edge performance cannot silently become the design driver. |
| Legacy 200 mm spotter scale reference only - reject as survey prescription input | legacy_spotter_design_trace_acceptance_2026-07-04 | 200 mm EFL, F/5, 40.0 mm entrance aperture 3.12 x 2.49 deg field, 3.99 deg diagonal 13 samples: center, +/- mid-field, +/- edge, and four corners pupil rings 0, 0.7, 1; 8 azimuths; 17 rays/field minimum flat detector image plane; no downstream propagation beyond detector position no-vignetting screen for mirrors, stop, window, baffle, package, and detector | field samples traced == 13 rays per field >= 17 total traced rays >= 221 unobscured throughput >= 0.9 detector-plane RMS plus 2x2 and 16x16 ensquared energy reported all fields chief-ray and fold/incidence angles reported all reflective surfaces image-plane curvature or best-fit focus spread reported all field samples | Only a stakeholder switch to a cued spotter mission can make this prescription-relevant. Use only to regression-check export and trace plumbing; keep it out of survey optimization. |
| 1000 ha stretch hold hold - no trace before mission or budget replan | stretch_area_hold_trace_acceptance_2026-07-04 | 25 mm EFL, F/3.2, 7.8 mm entrance aperture 24.55 x 19.75 deg field, 31.14 deg diagonal 13 samples: center, +/- mid-field, +/- edge, and four corners pupil rings 0, 0.7, 1; 8 azimuths; 17 rays/field minimum flat detector image plane; no downstream propagation beyond detector position no-vignetting screen for mirrors, stop, window, baffle, package, and detector | field samples traced == 13 rays per field >= 17 total traced rays >= 221 unobscured throughput >= 0.9 detector-plane RMS plus 2x2 and 16x16 ensquared energy reported all fields chief-ray and fold/incidence angles reported all reflective surfaces image-plane curvature or best-fit focus spread reported all field samples | Requires a smaller first-trial block, altitude waiver, larger payload budget, or COTS-first selection. Do not run prescription traces until the mission and budget hold is resolved. |
Trace run status ledger
No row may claim measured acceptance before its evidence gate passes.
The ledger reserves the acceptance artifact path for each packet and records whether execution is currently allowed. Today all rows remain unexecuted: the wide-survey trace has advisory source evidence, while the other rows are fallback, diagnostic, rejected, or mission-hold cases.
| Target | Run state | Execution allowed | Expected artifact | Acceptance verdict | Next record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide survey restart target wide_survey_3cm_char | source evidence satisfied - trace not yet run | yes received (advisory study defaults): projects/rural-fire-service-camera/rfs-011-source-note-2026-07-05.md records target area, altitude basis, payload branch, airframe class, sign-off authority, and source note. | assets/rfs/wide_survey_3cm_char_trace_acceptance_2026-07-04.jsonnot written; source evidence is satisfied but measured trace metrics do not yet exist | not evaluated - source-backed measured trace artifact has not been written | Run the retargeted 25 mm prescription trace and write the measured trace-acceptance JSON against the reserved artifact stem. |
| Finer 3 cm char target finer_survey_3cm_char | not selected - fallback only | no Requires either a failed wide-survey trace acceptance record or an explicit stakeholder choice of the lower-swath path. | assets/rfs/finer_survey_3cm_char_trace_acceptance_2026-07-04.jsonnot written; an acceptance artifact is intentionally absent until the evidence gate passes and measured trace metrics exist | not evaluated - fallback condition has not occurred | Keep this row ready as the first fallback after a recorded wide-survey failure or lower-swath decision. |
| Weak-edge stress target weak_edge_stress | diagnostic only | no Requires a new stakeholder target-class record promoting the 1 cm weak warm edge. | assets/rfs/weak_edge_stress_trace_acceptance_2026-07-04.jsonnot written; an acceptance artifact is intentionally absent until the evidence gate passes and measured trace metrics exist | not evaluated for design acceptance | Leave as a separated stress metric unless RFS changes the target class. |
| Legacy 200 mm spotter scale legacy_spotter_design | rejected for survey prescription | no Only a stakeholder switch to a cued spotter mission could make this row relevant. | assets/rfs/legacy_spotter_design_trace_acceptance_2026-07-04.jsonnot written; an acceptance artifact is intentionally absent until the evidence gate passes and measured trace metrics exist | rejected - wrong plate scale for area survey | Use only for export and trace plumbing regression checks. |
| 1000 ha stretch hold stretch_area_hold | mission hold | no Requires mission or budget replanning before any custom prescription trace. | assets/rfs/stretch_area_hold_trace_acceptance_2026-07-04.jsonnot written; an acceptance artifact is intentionally absent until the evidence gate passes and measured trace metrics exist | not evaluated - mission case is blocked | Ask for smaller first-trial area, altitude waiver, larger budget, or COTS-first selection. |
Trace acceptance contract
A future acceptance JSON must carry the evidence, not just a pass label.
Schema rfs-trace-acceptance.v1
currently applies to wide_survey_3cm_char.
Expected first artifact:
assets/rfs/wide_survey_3cm_char_trace_acceptance_2026-07-04.json.
| Section | Required fields | Acceptance check | Missing-record action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source evidence gate source_evidence | selected_target_key rfs_011_source_note_date signoff_authority target_area_ha altitude_basis payload_branch source_artifact_or_note | The record must match the wide-survey packet and cite the requirements evidence ledger entry that unlocks execution. | Reject the artifact as unbacked; keep the trace run status blocked before execution. |
| Field and pupil sampling sampling_evidence | 13 named field_sample_results pupil_rings [0.0, 0.7, 1.0] 8 pupil azimuths minimum_rays_per_field 17 minimum_total_rays 221 | Field sample count, per-field ray count, and total ray count must meet the packet thresholds. | Mark the trace incomplete and rerun before interpreting throughput, spot, or energy metrics. |
| No-vignetting evidence no_vignetting_evidence | min_unobscured_throughput_by_field clipping_surface_by_field stop_window_baffle_package_clearance detector_clearance | Every field and pupil ring must report >=90% unobscured throughput with no mirror, stop, window, baffle, package, or detector clipping. | Fail the no-vignetting gate and do not promote the prescription to optimizer continuation. |
| Detector-plane evidence detector_plane_evidence | detector_plane_position per_field_rms_spot_um per_field_energy_2x2 per_field_energy_16x16 propagation_stops_at_detector | RMS and ensquared energy must be reported at the flat detector image plane, with no downstream propagation used to hide focus error. | Reject the acceptance record as not measuring the detector-position image plane. |
| Angle and flat-image evidence angle_and_flat_image_evidence | chief_ray_angles_by_field fold_or_incidence_angles_by_surface best_fit_focus_spread_um image_plane_curvature_or_tilt | Fold/incidence angles must be reported for soft review, and flat-image evidence must be present for every field sample. | Keep the row in diagnostic status until angle and flat-image evidence are recorded. |
| Verdict and fallback record verdict_record | verdict failed_gates fallback_target_key next_engineering_action | A pass verdict is allowed only when all hard gates pass; otherwise the artifact must name the failed gate and the 50 mm fallback or requirements hold. | Treat the trace as unreviewed and keep RFS-019 out of prototype-ready status. |
A future trace-acceptance JSON that omits any required section is an incomplete record, not measured prototype-readiness evidence.
Trace acceptance validation
The future trace artifact now has explicit rejection rules.
These machine-readable rules sit beside the schema contract. They define the checks that turn a future trace JSON into accepted evidence, a fallback trigger, or a rejected record.
| Rule | Section | JSON path | Pass condition | Failure action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The selected target key must match the reserved wide-survey trace packet. selected_target_matches_packet | source_evidence hard fail | source_evidence.selected_target_key | Value equals `wide_survey_3cm_char`. | Reject the artifact as evidence for the first RFS-019 survey trace. |
| The artifact must cite the stakeholder source note that unlocks execution. source_note_recorded | source_evidence hard fail | source_evidence.rfs_011_source_note_date | A valid YYYY-MM-DD date is present with sign-off authority and source artifact fields. | Keep trace execution blocked in the run-status ledger. |
| All named detector-field samples from the trace input bundle must be present. field_sample_count_matches_contract | sampling_evidence hard fail | sampling_evidence.field_sample_results | Exactly 13 named samples are reported, including center, edges, and corners. | Mark the trace incomplete and rerun before interpreting optical metrics. |
| Ray-count evidence must meet the packet thresholds for every field. ray_count_thresholds_met | sampling_evidence hard fail | sampling_evidence.minimum_total_rays | At least 17 rays per field and 221 total rays are reported. | Reject spot, energy, and throughput summaries as undersampled. |
| The no-vignetting gate must pass at every sampled field and pupil ring. unobscured_throughput_gate | no_vignetting_evidence hard fail | no_vignetting_evidence.min_unobscured_throughput_by_field | Every reported minimum unobscured throughput is >=0.90. | Fail the restart trace and move to the 50 mm fallback or requirements hold. |
| The artifact must show which surface, if any, clipped each active beam. no_clipping_surfaces_reported | no_vignetting_evidence hard fail | no_vignetting_evidence.clipping_surface_by_field | Every field reports no mirror, stop, window, baffle, package, or detector clipping. | Do not promote the prescription; revise the folded layout before optimizing image quality. |
| RMS spot size and 2x2/16x16 energy must be measured at the detector image plane. detector_plane_metrics_complete | detector_plane_evidence hard fail | detector_plane_evidence.propagation_stops_at_detector | Propagation stops at the detector and detector-plane RMS plus ensquared energy are present for all 13 field samples. | Reject the record as not measuring the detector-position image plane. |
| Soft angle and flat-image evidence must be present before engineering continuation. angle_and_flat_image_evidence_complete | angle_and_flat_image_evidence review block | angle_and_flat_image_evidence.best_fit_focus_spread_um | Chief-ray/fold angles, best-fit focus spread, and image curvature or tilt are reported for the sampled field set. | Keep the row diagnostic until angle and flat-image evidence are recorded. |
| The verdict must be consistent with the failed-gate list and fallback record. verdict_matches_failed_gates | verdict_record hard fail | verdict_record.verdict | A pass verdict has no failed gates; any failure names the failed gates and fallback target. | Treat the artifact as unreviewed and keep RFS-019 out of prototype-ready status. |
Trace acceptance matrix
The first optimizer trace now has a measured pass/fallback contract.
The wide survey row is selected by the advisory source note. This matrix names the minimum ray-trace evidence needed before the prescription can proceed instead of silently drifting back to the spotter-scale design.
| Target | Required input | Acceptance evidence | Accept action | Fallback or hold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide survey restart target first survey trace after RFS-011 source evidence | Advisory source note selects wide_survey_3cm_char for 500 (per fleet, hourly revisit, planning case) with 120 m AGL cap binding; waiver variant documented as upside only; start from 25 mm EFL, F/3.2, 7.8 mm entrance aperture, 31.1 deg diagonal detector field. | Report center/mid/edge-field unobscured throughput >=90%, detector-plane RMS, 2x2 and 16x16 ensquared energy at the flat image plane, chief-ray/fold angles, and image-plane curvature. | Continue RFS-019 into the wide-survey four-mirror optimization only if the no-vignetting, detector-plane, fold-angle, and flat-image gates are all recorded. | If the 31 deg-class field cannot meet throughput or flat-image gates inside the 150 mm package, trace the 50 mm fallback before reopening mission scope. |
| Finer 3 cm char target first fallback trace | Use only after the wide-survey start fails an acceptance gate, or after RFS accepts lower coverage for more localization margin; start from 50 mm EFL, F/4, 12.5 mm entrance aperture, 15.9 deg diagonal detector field. | Report the same per-field throughput, detector-plane RMS, ensquared-energy, fold-angle, and image-plane-curvature evidence as the wide-survey trace. | Continue RFS-019 with this fallback scale only if the resulting coverage and unit-cost basis still match the selected stakeholder path. | If this row also fails acceptance, return to RFS-011 target area, altitude basis, or payload-branch choices before adding more optical complexity. |
| Weak-edge stress target stress metric only | Use only as a diagnostic metric unless RFS reopens the faintest target class; stress input is 50 mm EFL, F/1.6, 31.2 mm entrance aperture, 15.9 deg diagonal detector field. | Report the same trace metrics, but keep them separate from the selected 3 cm char design-driver evidence. | Use any passing result as a margin note or future upgrade path, not as the first-build prescription driver. | Do not promote this row without a recorded target-class decision and updated requirements closeout evidence. |
| Legacy 200 mm spotter scale export reference only | Use the committed 200 mm F/5 design only to verify trace, export, render, and packaging pipelines; do not use it as a survey start. | If rechecked, report hash-traced export and validation status only; this row is already the wrong plate scale for area survey. | Keep successful checks as pipeline evidence, not as RFS-019 prototype-readiness evidence for the survey mission. | Only a stakeholder switch to a cued spotter mission could make this row prescription-relevant. |
| 1000 ha stretch hold no trace - mission hold | Do not spend optimizer effort here until RFS records a larger budget, smaller first-trial block, accepted altitude waiver, or different revisit convention. | No optical acceptance evidence is due before the mission and budget path changes. | None; keep this row as a blocked requirements-planning reference. | Ask whether RFS prefers a smaller first-trial block, altitude waiver, larger payload budget, or COTS-first path. |
Whiteboard constraints
The next optimizer must carry the physical layout checks forward.
- Do not vignette the beam.
- Prefer small fold/incidence angles where possible, as a soft constraint.
- Stop propagation at the detector image plane.
- Prefer a flat image surface/image plane.
The RFS-011 source-evidence gate is satisfied for labelled-preliminary research traces; do not claim prototype-ready optical acceptance until measured no-vignetting, detector-plane, fold-angle, and flat-image evidence exists.
Source artifacts
The register is traceable to the public decision and physics pages.
F-number / aperture trade
Open source artifact
Source date 2026-06-14
Requirements sign-off matrix
Open source artifact
Source date 2026-06-19
Coverage sizing grid
Open source artifact
Source date 2026-06-15
Evidence intake ledger
Open source artifact
Source date 2026-07-03
Recorded RFS-011 source note
Open source artifact
Source date 2026-07-05