Project Background

Each Meridian™  Starfield system is custom designed for a clients needs. Systems can have a mix of target types, collimator focal lengths, angular positions, and mounting schemes. See here for more detailed information on the Meridian™ Starfield systems.

project scope

Each Meridian™ Starfield system may have a number of new collimators and targets designed, as well as a custom monolithic mounting plate. The type Eta Starfield system required two new collimator designs, as well as six new targets. The mechanical design took place very quickly over the course of three weeks.

Project resolution

Two new collimators were redesigned based on previous system generations. Internal baffling of the collimators was significantly improved over previous designs. See method for controlling stray light. The monolithic mounting plate was designed for 21 custom field points, and re-toleranced to address a number of issues found in older generation systems. To date, the type Eta Starfield was the largest Meridian™ Starfield system built, holding a total of 21 collimators.

background information

The Meridian™ Starfield system is used for measuring small aperture, wide field of view cameras. Wide field of view cameras are typically difficult to measure, as the required planar target becomes quite large. At a point, it becomes impossible to do with a planar target. μm System places individual targets at the desired field points, and projects them in collimated space. All field points can be presented to the test unit simultaneously, allowing for fast, production speed qualification of camera systems.