Automotive

Extreme Temperature Affect Camera IQ

Brand：ColorSpace
Solution: Camera temperature drift imaging performance test
Product description: Impact of Extreme Heat and Cold on Vehicle Cameras Research shows that the imaging quality of cameras under extreme temperature conditions can undergo significant changes
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Camera imaging performance test solution under extreme temperature and humidity conditions

With the rapid development of autonomous driving and driver assistance technologies, automotive cameras have become key sensing components, directly affecting the safety and reliability of systems. Against this backdrop, the imaging quality of cameras has become a focal point of industry attention. Especially under extreme climate conditions, ensuring the stability and reliability of cameras presents a significant challenge for the automotive industry.

Increased Noise: High temperatures can cause the camera's image sensor to produce more noise. This is because the electrons in the sensor become more active at high temperatures, generating more random signals. The increase in noise can reduce the clarity and overall quality of the image.

Focus Shift: Lenses and other optical components may expand at high temperatures and contract at low temperatures, causing changes in focal length. These changes can lead to focus shift, affecting the accuracy and clarity of imaging.

Color Deviation: High temperatures may affect the camera's color restoration capabilities, leading to color deviations. This is because different materials react differently to temperature, possibly causing changes in the refractive index of optical components and affecting color balance during imaging.

Long-term Damage: Working in a high-temperature environment for an extended period may also cause long-term damage to the camera's electronic and optical components, reducing the camera's lifespan.

Lens Fogging: The most direct impact of high humidity environments is lens fogging. Lens fogging is due to the condensation of water vapor in the air on the lens surface, forming tiny droplets that scatter light passing through the lens, causing blurriness during imaging.

Optical Component Damage: Long-term exposure to high humidity environments may cause corrosion or mold on the camera's internal optical components, especially for those cameras that are not well-sealed. This damage can permanently affect the camera's optical performance.

Electronic Component Failure: High humidity can also cause the camera's internal electronic components to become damp, leading to short circuits or other electronic failures, affecting the normal operation of the camera.

Focusing Issues: In some cases, moisture may penetrate the interior of the lens, causing minor deformations of internal components. This deformation may affect the lens's focusing ability.

ColorSpace Co.Ltd.'s Third-Generation Temperature Drift Testing Device

The core advantage of this testing system is its high degree of automation and precise control capabilities. By simulating extreme climate conditions, the system can automatically adjust the temperature inside the environmental chamber and continuously test the imaging of the camera. During the testing process, the system automatically records every change in imaging quality, thereby generating detailed test reports. The features of the solution include:

• Six-axis mechanical arm controls the collimator with higher precision.

• Camera alignment calibration, achieving high alignment precision without the need for specialized fixtures. Even if there is a slight error in the camera placement position, it can be automatically calibrated.

• Multi-camera configuration, capable of configuring 4~8 cameras for simultaneous testing, greatly improving efficiency.

• Adaptable to various camera shapes.

• Large size high-transparency glass, achieving a field of view coverage of 20°~220° (70% testing position). A no glass barrier version is optional.

• MTF data fully compatible with Imatest algorithms (the most widely used image quality analysis software globally).

• Optional humidity function.

• Automated report output.

• Optional compatibility with telecentric lenses and other test charts.

Impact of Extreme Heat and Cold on Vehicle Cameras Research shows that the imaging quality of cameras under extreme temperature conditions can undergo significant changes, which can be considered from several aspects:

In high humidity environments, the imaging performance of cameras can also be affected. The main impacts of humidity on cameras can be considered from several aspects:

These changes not only affect the quality of the image but may also impact the judgment and decision-making capabilities of autonomous driving and driver assistance systems.

ColorSpace Co.Ltd.'s Camera Temperature Drift Testing System provides an effective solution to the above problems. The system can accurately test the imaging quality of cameras within a temperature range of -45°C to 150°C and a humidity range of 20% to 98% RH, quantifying how key imaging indicators such as clarity change with temperature. This not only enables camera manufacturers to assess and improve the performance of their products under extreme conditions but also provides automotive manufacturers with a basis for selecting high-performance camera components. Currently, ColorSpace Co.Ltd. has launched three temperature drift testing devices, categorized as horizontal, vertical, and no glass barrier versions (i.e., there is no glass barrier between the camera and the test chart).

ColorSpace Co.Ltd.'s automotive camera temperature drift testing system is not only used in the R&D and production processes of cameras but also provides important technical support for automotive manufacturers when selecting suppliers. Moreover, as autonomous driving technology continues to advance, this testing system can also support more complex testing scenarios, such as simulating the impact of sunlight, humidity, and other environmental factors on camera performance.

The development and application of the camera temperature drift testing system not only reflect the automotive industry's urgent need for high-quality cameras but also represent the significant role of technological innovation in enhancing the safety of autonomous driving. With the continuous improvement and application of this technology, it is expected that autonomous driving and driver assistance systems will become safer and more reliable, providing drivers with a better driving experience.

Contact Us: If you have any questions or would like to learn more, feel free to contact us or inquire via email: sales@colorspace.com.cn