High-precision camera calibration based on a 1D target

Abstract

In this paper, the problem of camera 1D calibration is well solved by our proposed high-precision algorithm, which can satisfy actual requirements. We present a viewpoint that the closed-form solution can simply achieve high calibration accuracy in the absence of distortion. So, we abandon the habitual strategy of global nonlinear optimization for all intrinsic and extrinsic parameters. The innovations of the proposed algorithm are three-fold: firstly, cyclic distortion correction method is introduced to ensure that the estimated distortion parameters gradually approach the exact values; secondly, a new criterion for the nonlinear optimization of distortion correction is developed; thirdly, we enhance the anti-noise ability of the closed-form solution by optimally weighting the constraint equations. Extensive experiments prove that the proposed algorithm provides the highest calibration accuracy and robustness, which is comparable to 2D calibration. In addition, our proposed algorithm provides a new approach for desirable distortion correction and an idea for 2D calibration of large field of view.