Simulating Image Quality Before the Hardware Exists

In most camera projects, the first honest answer to “will the image quality be good enough for this application?” arrives with the first prototype – after the sensor is chosen, the optics are ordered, and the schedule is committed. If the answer is no, every iteration from that point is paid for in hardware revisions and calendar weeks.

At ImagingNext 2026, David Krištofić, Lead Engineer for Image Quality at FRAMOS, presents “Simulating Image Quality Before the Hardware Exists” – a session on using optical and end-to-end simulation to answer that question at concept stage, before anything is built.

About David Krištofić

David Krištofić is Lead Engineer, Image Quality at FRAMOS, based in Čakovec, Croatia, where he serves as the subject matter expert for image quality. Over more than eight years at the company, he has built expertise spanning the complete imaging pipeline, from image sensor driver development and EMVA 1288 characterization to optical module characterization and production process development. In parallel, he actively develops the engineering and production processes and setups for image quality characterization.

Why this matters now

Image quality is decided by the interaction of sensor, optics, and processing against the demands of a specific application – not by any component’s datasheet in isolation. Simulating that interaction early lets a team evaluate sensor and optics combinations against the target application before committing to hardware, and helps close the gap between concept and mass production. Simulation does not replace measurement: the predictions have to be anchored in rigorous physical characterization. The interplay between the two – simulate early, characterize to verify – is where the engineering value sits.

Krištofić speaks from both sides of that interplay. Over more than eight years at FRAMOS he has built expertise spanning the complete imaging pipeline – from image sensor driver development and EMVA 1288 characterization to optical module characterization and production process development. His current work centers on optical simulation and analysis of optical modules for their target applications, and on end-to-end simulation aimed at closing the gap between concept and mass production.

What you’ll take away

• How optical simulation is used to evaluate module performance for a target application before prototypes exist.
• Where simulation ends and physical characterization begins – and how the two anchor each other.
• How end-to-end image quality simulation shortens the path from concept to mass production.