Cross ratio based line scan camera calibration using a planar pattern
Abstract. A flexible new technique is proposed to calibrate the geometric model of line scan cameras. In this technique, the line scan camera is rigidly coupled to a calibrated frame camera to establish a pair of stereo cameras. The linear displacements and rotation angles between the two cameras are fixed but unknown. This technique only requires the pair of stereo cameras to observe a specially designed planar pattern shown at a few (at least two) different orientations. At each orientation, a stereo pair is obtained including a linear array image and a frame image. Radial distortion of the line scan camera is modeled. The calibration scheme includes two stages. First, point correspondences are established from the pattern geometry and the projective invariance of cross ratio. Second, with a two step calibration procedure, the intrinsic parameters of the line scan camera are recovered from several stereo pairs together with the rigid transform parameters between the pair of stereo cameras. Both computer simulation and real data experiments are conducted to test the precision and robustness of the calibration algorithm, and very good calibration results have been obtained. Compared with classical techniques which use three dimensional calibration objects or controllable moving platforms, our technique is affordable and flexible in close range photogrammetric applications.