THE EFFECTS OF QUANTIZATION ON 3D TOPOGRAPHY CHARACTERIZATION

This paper investigates the influence of quantization on 3D surface ch aracterization by carrying out an analysis of surface parameter change s on a range of real and simulated surfaces. The changes in parameters are calculated as a percentage of the original value. There is also a treatment of the effect of quantization error on visual characterizat ion. The validity of a lot of current practice in surface topography ( where 12 bits or more are used in applications involving submillimetre ranges) is confirmed, and limits on that practice established. Recomm endations are made as to the number of bits that should be reasonably used in quantization with respect to the surface feature of interest ( form, waviness or roughness) and the likely implications of this choic e on 3D surface characterization is discussed.