How is camera calibration performed and why is it critical for ADAS?

Camera calibration determines intrinsic parameters (focal length, principal point, distortion) and extrinsic parameters (position, orientation relative to vehicle). Intrinsic calibration uses checkerboard patterns to solve for lens parameters. Extrinsic calibration establishes camera position in vehicle coordinates using known reference points. Calibration is critical because: Distance estimation requires accurate parameters; sensor fusion needs precise coordinate transformation; lane detection accuracy depends on correct perspective. Online calibration monitors and adjusts for changes due to impacts or temperature. Production requires efficient calibration processes. Errors in calibration directly cause perception errors and potentially unsafe behavior.