Construction Metrology and Automation Group

NIST Workshop Series on Performance Evaluation of 3D Imaging Systems

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In recent years, there has been a rapid growth of laser scanning applications and a growing number of 3D imaging systems that are commercially available. 3D imaging systems are systems that are used to rapidly capture 3D information of a scene or object. This information is often provided in the form of point clouds with associated color and intensity data. These systems include laser scanners, 3D optical scanners, 3D range cameras, and 3D flash LADARs (laser detection and ranging instruments).

As a result of the growing use of 3D imaging systems, there is a corresponding need to evaluate these systems. This need provided the stimulus for the workshops conducted at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

The purpose of the workshops is to facilitate the development of consensus-based standards for 3D imaging systems. These standards are expected to include terminology, test protocols for performance evaluation and reporting of test results, and data exchange formats. The availability of standards would i) help clarify manufacturers’ specifications to enable meaningful comparisons between various commercially available instruments, ii) encourage uniform guidelines for manufacturers’ specifications, testing, and reporting, and iii) facilitate interoperability.

The first workshop was held on June 12-13, 2003. The objectives of the 2003 workshop were:

• to provide a forum for sharing and discussing current efforts in LADAR calibration,
• to determine the type of performance evaluations and test protocols required,
• to explore potential plans for the establishment /operation /location of a LADAR test facility,
• to identify the physical requirements of such a facility.

Based on the first workshop, the second workshop (held in March of 2005) focused on three topics:

• terminology,
• instrument characteristics that were of interest to the laser scanning community, and
• required test protocols.

Recent Events:

• June 7, 2006 -- ASTM Organization Meeting: 3D Imaging Systems
  Contact:  Pat Picariello, ppicarie@astm.org
• March 2 - 3, 2006 -- 3rd NIST Workshop on the Performance Evaluation of 3D Imaging Systems

Upcoming Events:

• Please check back later.

Download Proceedings:

• 2003 PDF “Proceedings of the LADAR Calibration Facility Workshop, June 12-13, 2003,” NISTIR 7054
• 2005 PDF "Proceedings of the 2nd NIST LADAR Performance Evaluation Workshop – March 15 - 16, 2005," NISTIR 7266
• 2006 PDF "Proceedings of the 3rd NIST Workshop on the Performance Evaluation of 3D Imaging Systems – March 2 - 3, 2006,"  NISTIR 7357

Contact:
Gerry Cheok
gcheok@nist.gov

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