{"id":185560,"date":"2018-10-15T13:49:31","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T20:49:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thinklucid.com\/active-sensor-alignment\/"},"modified":"2025-09-29T13:13:39","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T20:13:39","slug":"active-sensor-alignment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thinklucid.com\/ko\/active-sensor-alignment\/","title":{"rendered":"Active Sensor Alignment"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][rev_slider_vc alias=”active-sensor-alignment”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-8 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_raw_html]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[\/vc_raw_html][vc_custom_heading text=”Active Sensor Alignment” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_id=”overview”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Understanding the stage at which a sensor is attached within a camera is fundamental to the image quality of that camera. Having sensors accurately and precisely placed allows the camera to produce images that are sharp and crisp, even in the corners. A sensor that is centered and flat maximizes the optical performance of your lens. This attachment process not only impacts an individual camera\u2019s image quality but also affects the image quality consistency across multiple mass produced units of the same model.<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1539646787753{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 40px !important;}”]It allows vision application designers to reliably identify their optical specifications without having to worry about excessively tweaking and deviating from the original spec when they scale their application. For example, imagine producing multiples of the same vision application that inspects the same product but having to adjust the camera and optical setup to different specifications every time, or worse yet having to return and wait for a replacement camera because the optical specs are outside the tolerance levels. LUCID applies Active Sensor Alignment during the camera\u2019s manufacturing process to minimize unit deviations and ensure quality imaging for each and every Triton and Atlas camera unit.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner css=”.vc_custom_1503354487300{margin-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-4 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_custom_heading text=”Table of Contents” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18px|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1501780592576{padding-top: 35px !important;}”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1553111884265{margin-left: 15px !important;border-left-width: 2px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;border-left-color: #1e73be !important;border-left-style: dotted !important;}” el_class=”top-menu”]Active Sensor Alignment<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In a Perfect World…<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Challenges of Sensor Placement<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Passive Alignment<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Active Sensor Alignment: Proper Placement at the Source<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Simulated Example of a 30 Micrometer Corner Displacement<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” el_id=”perfect”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_custom_heading text=”In a Perfect World…” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]In a perfect world, the sensor\u2019s optical center, tilt, rotation, and back focal distance (BFD) would be the same for every camera unit. In this scenario the sensor placement would be specified and verified once and then applied to each future unit during manufacturing. In the real world however, there are slight differences in each of the components that make up a camera, including the angle, center and depth of the camera lens barrel as it relates to the position of the sensor on the PCB imager board.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”185582″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center”][vc_column_text el_class=”caption-pregius”]<\/p>\n

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Above: If all camera components were made perfectly, the sensor could be placed in the same exact spot for every unit.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”185584″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center”][vc_column_text el_class=”caption-pregius”]<\/p>\n

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Above: An exaggerated animation of some of the variables encountered with camera components. This leads to inconsistencies with accurate sensor placement inside the camera.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” el_id=”challenges”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_custom_heading text=”Challenges of Sensor Placement” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Perhaps there is a tiny difference in one of the components, such as varying solder thickness under the image sensor or a tilted image sensor die within its package. While this difference might not be noticeable to the naked eye, their impact on image quality will be. This would lead to a difference in the back focal distance across the sensor area and, for example, produce a blurry corner in your image. The below animations are exaggerated examples of some the issues that vision application designers might encounter with poorly aligned camera sensors.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/12″ el_class=”width12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”14840″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”181215″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”181217″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”caption-pregius”]<\/p>\n

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Left:\u00a0Sensor tilt causes differences in focal points across the sensor plane.\u00a0 \u00a0Center: Sensor rotation that is off-spec can add complexity to camera mounting. Right: Sometimes\u00a0the lens barrel\u00a0can be slightly\u00a0off center, potentially darkening corners<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” el_id=”passive”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1539903594829{margin-top: 25px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”2px”][vc_custom_heading text=”Passive Sensor Alignment” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1539733845758{margin-top: 25px !important;}”]The traditional method of aligning the sensor with the optical path relies on strict tolerances of the camera components. Camera manufacturers source components from multiple vendors and must ensure they meet their required specifications. The camera is then assembled with the hope that everything lines up. This is called Passive Alignment<\/strong>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”185578″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”fadeInUp”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1548367918360{margin-top: 25px !important;}”]For passive alignment, to catch deficient cameras before being shipped, an image quality test is traditionally applied after the camera is manufactured. While this strategy can be effective, it is very time consuming and costly. Cameras that fail this test are already assembled, and the manufacturer must decide if these cameras are to be sent back and disassembled, inspected, remade, or thrown out. Furthermore, they must also inspect and identify the batches of components that led to these deficiencies. Ultimately, it forces tighter tolerances on the camera components, increasing cost and potentially waste. It is because of this that some camera manufacturers skip the inspection test entirely or instead, widen camera tolerances and ship out the cameras as-is to reduce costs at the expense of quality.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row gap=”35″ el_id=”active”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1539903622624{margin-top: 25px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”5px” el_id=”standards”][vc_custom_heading text=”Active Sensor Alignment: Proper Placement at the Source” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1539668096346{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

A much more accurate and efficient way of ensuring proper sensor placement is called Active Sensor Alignment<\/strong>. During the sensor placement process, the placement system measures image center, rotation, tilt and back focal distance, actively adjusting the sensor position based on feedback from visual measurements. The system employs an automated 6 degrees of freedom (6DoF) mechanical unit and a visual inspection unit. The visual inspection unit analyses a visual pattern overlayed across the sensor plane and measures the uniformity of the pattern\u2019s sharpness. For example, if the system measures a corner that is slightly out of focus, it will adjust the sensor\u2019s tilt until it is in focus. Once it calculates the maximum level of sharpness across the sensor plane, it will fix all the components in place.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”185581″ img_size=”500×300″ alignment=”center” css_animation=”zoomIn”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”185577″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center” css_animation=”zoomIn”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInRight” el_class=”caption-pregius”]<\/p>\n

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Left:\u00a0A light pattern is overlayed on the sensor. Any discrepancies in tilt, rotation, and depth will distort the light pattern.\u00a0These distortions are measured and compensated for by moving the sensor using the 6DoF system (Right). From this, the sensor is tuned to the correct position in real time.\u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row gap=”35″ css=”.vc_custom_1553111843539{margin-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_id=”example”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1539903622624{margin-top: 25px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”5px”][vc_custom_heading text=”Simulated Example of a 30 Micrometer Corner Displacement” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1553111607757{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Below are simulated example images from a 12.3 MP Sony IMX304 CMOS 1.1\u201d sensor using 6mm lens at f2.8. The passive aligned example image is simulated with a 30 micrometer corner displacement. Corner displacements for sensors can be caused by many things, including varying amounts of solder paste either inside or outside the sensor package.\u00a0 LUCID’s active sensor alignment system allows for precise micrometer adjustments to reduce these dependencies.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”185587″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”185586″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”zoomIn”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”185585″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”zoomIn”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”bottom” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”12724″ parallax_speed_bg=”1″][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”80988″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1539901286113{padding-right: 50px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1539901164462{margin-top: 50px !important;}”]\"Active[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1539902033044{margin-top: 25px !important;margin-bottom: 75px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Looking at a cross section of the optical path, active alignment ensures the sensor is at the proper focal distance with equal distance from the center of the sensor to the edges.<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” el_id=”conclusion”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_custom_heading text=”Conclusion” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1507340838129{margin-top: 15px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Using this method allows for accurate sensor placement with a linear alignment and tilt resolution of micrometers. Smaller sensors benefit from precise centering. Having the center shifted even by a little bit can adversely affect the mounting placement of the camera. For larger sensors, minor changes in tilt can cause substantial differences in focal points across the image. For those vision applications that demand a high level of camera accuracy, Active Sensor Alignment is an important manufacturing step that ensures a accurate level of image sharpness than traditional passive alignment.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”185579″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none” el_class=”caption-pregius”]<\/p>\n

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All Atlas<\/a> and Triton<\/a> cameras are actively sensor aligned\u00a0during manufacturing.\u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Get clear and sharp imaging in every Triton and Atlas camera, every time. Learn the difference between active and passive alignment and how LUCID uses Active Sensor Alignment during manufacturing to improve camera imaging.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":185830,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/homepage.php","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[1162],"camera_family":[],"class_list":["post-185560","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-tech-brief-ko"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thinklucid.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/185560","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thinklucid.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thinklucid.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinklucid.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinklucid.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=185560"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/thinklucid.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/185560\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":185832,"href":"https:\/\/thinklucid.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/185560\/revisions\/185832"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinklucid.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/185830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thinklucid.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=185560"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinklucid.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=185560"},{"taxonomy":"camera_family","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinklucid.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/camera_family?post=185560"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}