Stray-light Testing Station Using Parabolic Mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems face challenges in characterizing stray-light performance, which can lead to reduced signal-to-noise ratios and contrast ratios due to unwanted light in the optical system.
Innovation Solution
A stray-light testing station is developed, featuring a spatially extended light source and an off-axis parabolic mirror to simulate stray-light conditions, allowing for the measurement of stray-light effects on camera sensors and the determination of a rejection ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a camera system operates in outdoor environments with the sun as a significant light source, then the camera can capture images in bright conditions, but stray light from the sun reduces the signal-to-noise ratio and contrast ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the sun, which is the harmful stray light source, as the illumination source for the testing station. By directing the sun's light through an off-axis parabolic mirror and optical elements, the system converts the harmful stray light into a controlled illumination source for characterizing camera performance under stray-light conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an off-axis parabolic mirror and optical elements as intermediaries between the sun and the camera under test. These components shape and direct the sunlight to create controlled stray-light conditions, allowing measurement of the camera's performance without direct sun exposure
2Measurement precision
If a testing station uses a spatially extended light source with an off-axis parabolic mirror to simulate stray-light conditions, then the camera performance can be characterized under realistic stray-light conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The testing station is designed to characterize multiple types of optical receivers including cameras, sensors, and imaging devices using the same stray-light simulation system. The off-axis parabolic mirror and optical elements can be configured to test different camera modules and sensor types, providing multi-functional capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the sun's stray-light characteristics using the off-axis parabolic mirror. The mirror focuses and shapes the sunlight to replicate the angular distribution and intensity profile of actual stray light from the sun, providing a controlled environment for measurement
3Manufacturing precision
If the testing station includes adjustable alignment stages to position the optical receiver assembly, then the optical path can be precisely aligned within the field of view, but the device complexity and adjustment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The testing station incorporates adjustable alignment stages that allow dynamic repositioning of the optical receiver assembly. These stages enable precise alignment of the optical path with the field of view during setup and testing, providing flexibility for different configurations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The testing station effectively calibrates camera assemblies under stray-light conditions, improving their performance by simulating various light sources and allowing for the development of rejection ratios to mitigate stray-light effects.
Implementation Method 1
a parabolic mirror arranged in the optical path, and where a diameter of the beam of light at the parabolic mirror is larger than a lateral dimension of the parabolic mirror
Implementation Method 2
the lens module focuses the beam of light from the spatially extended light source to an image plane
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, for a stray-light testing station. In one aspect, the stray-light testing station includes an illumination assembly including a spatially extended light source and one or more optical elements arranged to direct a beam of light from the spatially extended light source along an optical path to an optical receiver assembly including a lens receptacle configured to receive a lens module and position the lens module in the optical path downstream from the parabolic mirror so that the lens module focuses the beam of light from the spatially extended light source to an image plane, and a moveable frame supporting the optical receiver assembly including one or more adjustable alignment stages to position the optical receiver assembly relative to the illumination assembly such that the optical path of the illumination assembly is within a field of view of the optical receiver assembly.