Instructor: Kevin J. Matherson, Microsoft
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Some imaging experience is helpful but not assumed.

Benefits:
This course enables the attendee to:

• Describe fundamental principles of depth technology and 3D imaging.
• Understand the trade-offs among currently available depth system technologies and determine which will best match a particular application.
• Understand the key components of various depth technologies: optics, illuminators, sensors.
• Understand concepts and design considerations for depth cameras: stereo, active stereo, structured light, time of flight.
• Understand passive and active depth camera calibration. fundamental principles of depth technology and 3D imaging.
• Compare time-of-flight imaging to triangulation-based approaches.
• Understand methods of benchmarking depth cameras.

Course Description:
Camera modules are now commonplace, integrated in devices ranging from mobile phones to automobiles. CMOS image sensor technology and advances in image processing technology, as well as advances in packaging and interconnect technology, have created the ability to use cameras in applications that were unheard of just a few years ago. Emerging applications of cameras include Internet of Things (IoT), biometrics, augmented reality, machine vision, medicine, and 3D imaging. There are a variety of different methods for three-dimensional imaging, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. This course provides an overview of the main methods for depth imaging: stereo, active stereo, structured light, and time of flight. Following a review of 2D camera fundamentals, the course compares the various architectures of depth cameras. Next, the course covers camera calibration, a crucial step in machine vision that is required for measurements of the environment. Finally, the course provides an overview of depth camera benchmarking, which adds more complexity to testing as compared to 2D cameras.

Intended Audience: Students, engineers, and managers of camera systems who need to understand 3D imaging, its forms, characterization, and key performance indicators.

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 20 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 an MS and PhD in optical sciences from the University of Arizona.