[...]... between the image quality of the actual images and the predictions made from the imaging chain models The goal of this book is to teach the reader key elements of the end-to-end imaging chain for digital camera systems and describe how elements of the imaging chain are mathematically modeled The basics of linear systems mathematics and Fourier transforms will be covered, as these are necessary to model the. .. conceptualized as a chain of physical events, i.e., the imaging chain, that starts with the light source and ends with viewing the displayed image.1,2 The principal links of the imaging chain are the radiometry, the camera, the processing, the display, and the interpretation of the image (Fig 2.1) The imaging chain begins with the radiometry of the electromagnetic energy that will create the image This... understanding the interaction between the links and the imaging system as a whole The mathematical models are typically categorized into the key elements of the imaging chain, namely radiometry, the camera (optics and sensor), the motion associated with the camera, the processing, the display, and the interpretation (Fig 2.3) The camera models are generally divided into the optics (the part of the camera. .. the links in the imaging chain and assessing the system in its entirety, the interactions between the links and the quality of the final image product can be understood, thus reducing the risk that the camera will not meet expectations when it is built and operational The modeling and assessment of the end-to-end image formation process from the radiometry of the scene to the display of the image is... to the successful design of most digital cameras, ordinary photographers do not think about the chain of events that creates the image; they just push the button and the camera does the rest However, engineers and scientists labored over the design of the camera and placed a lot of thought into the process that creates the digital image So what exactly is a digital image, and what is the physical chain. .. elements of the imaging chain (Fig 2.8) This is especially important when an image artifact is seen in the image and we wish to understand the cause By understanding how each element of the imaging chain affects the final image, we can determine the origin of these imaging artifacts They may be the result of the imaging conditions, a weakness in the camera components, or an alteration made to the digital. .. Mathematics 3.1 Fundamental Mathematics for Modeling the Imaging Chain Before delving into the imaging chain models, it is critical to first understand some of the mathematical principles and methodologies that are fundamental to the development of the imaging chain models We will first look at some very useful functions that help describe the behavior of light through the elements of the imaging chain. .. order to generalize some of the more difficult concepts I urge the reader to pick up the references and other sources to gain a more in-depth understanding of modeling the different elements of the imaging chain I hope that the reader finds many of the discussions and illustrations helpful, and I hope that others will find modeling the imaging chain as fascinating as I do Robert D Fiete October 2010 xiii... cause the degradation The location of these imaging chain elements will indicate the specific components of the camera that should be tested to identify the root cause of the image degradation The cause of the degradation can usually be quickly identified by understanding how weak links in the imaging chain impact the resulting image quality (Fig 2.9) 2.4.2 Image forgery Understanding the imaging chain. .. shapes the light into an image) and the digital sensor (the part of the camera the converts the image formed by the optics into a digital image) Figure 2.3 Imaging chain models are typically categorized into several key elements 2.2 Generating Simulated Image Products Using the Imaging Chain The mathematical models that describe the imaging chain can be used to simulate the actual images that a camera . quality of the actual images and the predictions made from the imaging chain models. The goal of this book is to teach the reader key elements of the end-to-end imaging chain for digital camera. operational. The modeling and assessment of the end-to-end image formation process from the radiometry of the scene to the display of the image is critical to understanding the requirements of the. understanding of modeling the different elements of the imaging chain. I hope that the reader finds many of the discussions and illustrations helpful, and I hope that others will find modeling