Realtime Measurement of Ultrahigh-Definition Camera Modulation Transfer Function

Herein, experimental results are presented for a system capable of measuring the modulation transfer function (MTF) of a broadcast camera based on its knife-edge responses in realtime. This method can be applied to multiple edges in arbitrary directions, unlike the conventional ISO 12233 edge-based method in which only a near-horizontal or near-vertical edge can be analyzed. The new measurement system significantly facilitates the evaluation of the performances of the camera and lens as well as accurate focusing in an objective manner. The analysis of multidirectional edges on a starburst chart yields a contour plot of the multidirectional MTF for direct observation of anisotropy due not only to the misalignment of the optical system but also to the pixel arrangement of the image sensor.