A new approach to the calibration problems of three-dimensional laser scanners

Abstract

Synchronized laser scanners are the most popular 3D image capture systems for industrial applications. The accuracy of the scanned picture is a key factor of the complete system. In this paper, a new mathematical description of synchronized laser scanners will be presented, which is necessary to the developed calibration method. The mathematical model is based on the geometrical design of the triangulation and it can make the application of scanners easier. The calibration method is working by tests on reference planes, which should be scanned and some reference points should be chosen on it. Due to the combined relations among the geometrical and system parameters, it is better - as shown - if the system parameters are estimated step-by-step by a linear error correcting method from the measured data and from the coordinates of the points on the reference planes. The new mathematical model allows simulating the function and the errors of the triangulation system easy. The error analysis of the system can help us to obtain important data from the model to design synchronized scanners.