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Associate III
July 17, 2024
Solved

Calibration card

  • July 17, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 1590 views

Calibration of ToF sensors requires a target which is '17% reflective'. Can I take it this means a simple peice of paper or card printed on a laser printer at 83% black (greyscale)?

Thanks

Best answer by John E KVAM

No - you cannot use a printed sheet. 

Turns out printer ink is a dye - and does NOT affect the reflectance of the paper. 940nm light goes right though dyes.

You need paint.

The best way to go, is to use spray paint. Dark gray should do it. On cardboard. At least 3 coats.

A white sheet of paper is 88% reflective. 

A bit of cardboard is about 50%. Your hand is also about 50%. 

The blackest flat black spray paint is 5% reflective.

So to approximate 17%, you need a dark gray paint. 

The calibration does NOT have to be exactly 17%.

A reasonably dark gray paint should be just fine. 

 

 

2 replies

John E KVAM
John E KVAMBest answer
ST Employee
July 17, 2024

No - you cannot use a printed sheet. 

Turns out printer ink is a dye - and does NOT affect the reflectance of the paper. 940nm light goes right though dyes.

You need paint.

The best way to go, is to use spray paint. Dark gray should do it. On cardboard. At least 3 coats.

A white sheet of paper is 88% reflective. 

A bit of cardboard is about 50%. Your hand is also about 50%. 

The blackest flat black spray paint is 5% reflective.

So to approximate 17%, you need a dark gray paint. 

The calibration does NOT have to be exactly 17%.

A reasonably dark gray paint should be just fine. 

 

 

Associate III
July 17, 2024

Many thanks John. I had my doubts as to whether it could be as simple as printing onto paper.

Great service, as ever!