Determination and use of polynomial calibration functions

1.1 This document is concerned with polynomial calibration functions that describe the relationship between a stimulus variable and a response variable. These functions contain parameters estimated from calibration data consisting of a set of pairs of stimulus value and response value. Various cases are considered relating to the nature of any uncertainties associated with the data.

1.2 Estimates of the polynomial function parameters are determined using least‐squares methods, taking account of the specified uncertainty information. It is assumed that the calibration data are fit for purpose and thus the treatment of outliers is not considered. It is also assumed that the calibration data errors are regarded as drawn from normal distributions. An emphasis of this document is on choosing the least‐squares method appropriate for the nature of the data uncertainties in any particular case. Since these methods are well documented in the technical literature and software that implements them is freely available, they are not described in this document.

1.3 Commonly occurring types of covariance matrix associated with the calibration data are considered covering (a) response data unc