Estimation of Point Spread Function of an Imaging System Using a Programmable Target

The estimation of the Point Spread Function (PSF) of an imaging system is important for various post acquisition processes. The PSF can be estimated by knowing the optical arrangement of the imaging system or can be obtained by using a point object. Both the techniques have their own limitations. In this paper we propose a new PSF estimation technique based on a target that can be reconfigured programmably. We will show that a target with different illumination areas can be imaged to establish a relation between the image plane and the object plane via a PSF. The relation thus allows one to estimate the PSF of the imaging system.