Camera measurement techniques using virtual prototyping

Abstract

Scene generators and high-resolution displays carry the potential for creating adaptive scenes for camera characterization. We demonstrate a camera modulation transfer function (MTF) measurement technique using a commercial computer display. Once the proper conditions for MTF measurements are satisfied, other measurements like the instantaneous field of view (IFOV) and the distortion of a visible camera can be characterized using stimuli from the same display. We developed the measurement techniques using a high-fidelity imaging simulation tool that provides control of the scene and camera parameters. The high-fidelity simulation allowed replication of the laboratory setup and fast iteration of parameters which drastically reduced the method development time. Virtual prototyping of measurements in this way allows for sensitivity analysis to be conducted over measurement parameters. In this work we describe the method development for measurements with a commercial computer display.