ISO/TS 28037:2010 is concerned with linear, that is, straight-line, calibration functions that describe the relationship between two variables X and Y, namely, functions of the form Y = A + BX. Although many of the principles apply to more general types of calibration function, the approaches described exploit the simple form of the straight-line calibration function wherever possible.

Values of the parameters A and B are determined on the basis of measured data points (x_i, y_i), i = 1, ... , m. Various cases are considered relating to the nature of the uncertainties associated with these data. No assumption is made that the errors relating to the y_i are homoscedastic (having equal variance), and similarly for the x_i when the errors are not negligible.

Estimates of the parameters A and B are determined using least squares methods. The emphasis is on choosing the least squares method most appropriate for the type of measurement data, in particular methods that reflect the associated uncertainties. The most general type of covariance matrix associated with the measurement data is treated, but important special cases that lead to simpler calculations are described in detail.

For all cases considered, methods for validating the use of the straight-line calibration functions and for evaluating the uncertainties and covariance associated with the parameter estimates are given.

ISO/TS 28037:2010 also describes the use of the calibration function parameter estimates and their associated uncertainties and covariance to predict a value of X and its associated standard uncertainty given a measured value of Y and its associated standard uncertainty.