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ImSym – Imaging System Simulator offers a unified simulation environment for the conceptualization and detailed analysis of imaging systems. By integrating the accuracy of CODE V and LightTools, ImSym provides a platform for optical engineers and designers to model, test, and optimize their imaging systems efficiently and effectively.
This blog post explores how ImSym addresses challenges in mobile camera lens design, focusing on cost reduction without compromising image quality.
Exploring ImSym
ImSym is an imaging system virtual prototyping platform that supports the entire imaging system pipeline, from the initial concept to the final output. The user-friendly interface allows you to navigate through different stages of the simulation process effortlessly. By providing a cohesive environment, ImSym helps enhance team collaboration and streamline development processes, making it a valuable tool for both small teams and large organizations.
ImSym – Imaging System Simulator interface
Comprehensive Imaging System Modeling
With ImSym, you can create comprehensive end-to-end imaging system models, including:
- Scene Object: A graphics file representing the scene.
- Lens System: Modeled using a CODE V lens file, leveraging the capabilities of CODE V.
- Detector: Simulates the conversion of the optical image into a digital signal.
- Image Signal Processing (ISP): Applies various algorithms to enhance and process the final image.
These components work together to create a detailed and accurate representation of the imaging system, allowing for thorough testing and optimization at each stage.
Example end-to-end model includes the input scene, lens systems, detector model, image signal processing, and optionally, a simulated external light source to study stray light effects.
Building the Model: Step-by-Step
The workflow to build an imaging system model in ImSym involves several key steps, each crucial for achieving a precise and reliable simulation.
Modeling the Lens System
The process begins with the input scene and lens system. The input scene is a graphics file, while the lens system is modeled using a CODE V file. The modeling leverages the full capabilities of the CODE V engine, ensuring accurate simulations. This step is essential for understanding how the lens design will affect the overall image quality.
The Principal Image includes lens effects such as aberrations, diffraction effects, distortion, and relative illumination.
Simulating the Detector
The detector model includes parameters, such as exposure time, pixel layout, spectral data, and noise characteristics. This step is essential for accurately converting the optical image into a digital signal. By simulating these parameters, you can predict how the detector will perform under various conditions and make necessary adjustments to optimize performance.
Analyzing Stray Light
Stray light can significantly impact image quality, and ImSym provides tools to model and mitigate these effects. The stray light model uses a previously generated STR file from the Stray Light Scanner in LightTools. This file includes irradiance distributions for each ray path, calculated for specified field angles and wavelengths, ensuring comprehensive stray light analysis. By understanding and controlling stray light, you can improve the clarity and accuracy of the final image.
ImSym combines the stray light and principal image irradiance while maintaining radiometric accuracy.
Enhancing With Image Signal Processing (ISP)
ImSym offers both basic built-in routines and the flexibility to implement custom ISP routines using Python. This allows you to fine-tune your image processing algorithms, optimizing image quality to meet specific requirements and application needs. ISP is a critical step in enhancing the final image, applying algorithms to correct distortions, enhance colors, and improve overall image quality.
Practical Application: Reducing Manufacturing Costs
One practical application of ImSym is its ability to help reduce manufacturing costs. In mobile camera lens design, achieving high image quality often requires complex and expensive lens systems. Reducing the diameter of lenses with high-order aspheric terms may result in elements that are easier to manufacture, at the cost of reduced resolution.
By adjusting parameters like the F-number and exposure time, you can compare different lens designs and their impact on image quality. ImSym can help reduce manufacturing costs by identifying optical systems that meet image quality requirements without overengineering the lens design.
In ImSym, you can compare results using target region analysis.
We can see how the degraded resolution affects the final image.
By selecting a lens design with a lower F-number, which is simpler and cheaper to produce, and then using ISP techniques to enhance the image, manufacturers can balance cost and performance effectively. This approach not only reduces production costs but also accelerates the time-to-market for new products.
Conclusion
ImSym provides a comprehensive solution for imaging system simulation and optimization by integrating the strengths of CODE V and LightTools. The platform enables you to build, test, and refine their imaging systems with efficiency and accuracy. ImSym addresses the challenges in mobile camera lens design, particularly in balancing cost and performance. Whether you're designing mobile cameras, medical devices, or other optical systems, ImSym can help streamline your development process and enhance your design outcomes.
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