Panoramic Imaging with SVAVISCA Camera - Simulations and Reality

An OMNIVIEWS catadioptric camera combines a curved mirror with a variant resolution imaging sensor. The goal is to obtain panoramic images with large view angle, suitable image formation geometry, and controlled resolution variation across the field of view. We present simulations of an OMNIVIEWS camera and compare them with real images taken by a combination of a hyperbolic mirror with a log-polar SVAVISCA imager. The experiments show that the simulations correspond to reality and can be used for further OMNIVIEWS camera design. Two auxiliary observations are made. Firstly, it is better to use pointed mirrors because they allow to exploit imager completely. Secondly, the hyperbolic mirror used altogether with the SVAVISCA imager provided a non-uniform resolution across the field of view.