UPDATED 
Optics and Hardware Calibration of Compact Camera Modules for AR/VR, Automotive, and Machine Vision Applications
Sunday 26 January • 8:00 – 12:15
Course Length: 4 hours
Course Level: Intermediate
Instructors: Uwe Artmann, Image Engineering GmbH & Co. KG, and Kevin J. Matherson, Microsoft Corporation

Learning Outcomes
This course enables the attendee to:

• Describe illumination, photons, sensor, and camera radiometry.
• Select optics and sensor for a given application.
• Understand the optics of compact camera modules based on application.
• Understand the difficulties in minimizing size of sensor and volume of camera modules.
• Assess the need for per unit camera calibrations in compact camera modules.
• Learn how distortion, flare, and relative illumination calibrations are performed.
• Review autofocus actuators and why per unit calibrations are required.
• Review 3D imaging systems (stereo, time of flight, structured light, etc.).
• Understand the calibrations associated with 3D imaging systems.
• Understand how to perform the various calibrations typically done in compact camera modules (relative illumination, distortion, gain, actuator variability, etc.).
• Understand equipment required for performing calibrations.
• Compare hardware tradeoffs such as temperature variation, its impact on calibration, and overall influence on final quality.

The emphasis of this course is camera hardware calibration with minimal content on camera calibration of color. Electronic camera and system performance are determined by a combination of sensor characteristics, lens characteristics, and image processing algorithms. Smaller pixels, smaller optics, smaller modules, and lower cost result in more part-to-part variation driving the need for calibration to maintain good image quality. This short course provides an overview of issues associated with compact imaging modules used in mobile, AR/VR, automotive, and machine vision applications as well as providing techniques for mitigating those issues. The course covers optics, sensors, actuators, camera modules, and the camera calibrations typically performed to mitigate issues associated with production variation of lenses, sensors, and autofocus actuators. For those interested in more depth on color camera calibration, see SCXX: Color and Calibration in Compact Camera Modules for AR, Machine Vision, Automotive, and Mobile Applications.

Intended Audience
People involved in the design and image quality of digital cameras, mobile cameras, and scanners. Technical staff of manufacturers, managers of digital imaging projects, as well as journalists and students studying image technology.

Uwe Artmann studied photo technology at the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne following an apprenticeship as a photographer and finished with the German 'Diploma Engineer'. He is now the CTO at Image Engineering, an independent test lab for imaging devices and manufacturer of all kinds of test equipment for these devices. His special interest is the influence of noise reduction on image quality and MTF measurement in general.

Kevin Matherson is a director of optical engineering at Microsoft Corporation working on advanced optical technologies for AR/VR, machine vision, and consumer products. Prior to Microsoft, he participated in the design and development of compact cameras at HP and has more than 15 years of experience developing miniature cameras for consumer products. His primary research interests focus on sensor characterization, optical system design and analysis, and the optimization of camera image quality. Matherson holds a Masters and PhD in optical sciences from the University of Arizona.