Use of an optical pulse-and-bar pattern for testing television cameras

The responses of the optical-and optical/electrical-transducer sections of a television camera are theoretically analysed for the case of step-function inputs of variable width. From this analysis it is shown that it is possible to characterise the performance of a television camera by means of an optical `pulse-and-bar¿ pattern as input to the system, and measuring the pulse/bar height ratio at the system output. A vidicon-camera chain is discussed as a convenient example throughout the analysis, and the results of tests using the above test pattern with such a chain are recorded.