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The Ultimate Infrared Handbook For RND Professionals
The Ultimate Infrared Handbook For RND Professionals
Published by FLIR AB
This booklet may not be reproduced in any form without the permis-
sion in writing from FLIR Systems, AB. © Copyright. All rights reserved.
Chapter 1
User Interface
IR In Video User Control
Detector Cooling Video Output
Processing
NIR Digitization Digital Output
Electronics Synchronization In/Out
MWIR
System Status
LWIR
Optics
1
Chapter 1
temperatures using liquid nitrogen or a hygroscopic, and they can be formed into
small Stirling cycle refrigerator unit. lenses with modern turning methods. As in
visible light cameras, IR camera lenses have
IR Spectrum Considerations antireflective coatings. With proper design,
Typically, IR cameras are designed and IR camera lenses can transmit close to 100%
calibrated for a specific range of the IR of incident radiation.
spectrum. This means that the optics
and detector materials must be selected Thermal Radiation Principles
for the desired range. Figure 2 illustrates The intensity of the emitted energy from
the spectral response regions for various an object varies with temperature and
detector materials. radiation wavelength. If the object is
Because IR has the same properties as colder than about 500°C, emitted radiation
visible light regarding reflection, refraction, lies completely within IR wavelengths. In
and transmission, the optics for thermal addition to emitting radiation, an object
cameras are designed in a fashion similar reacts to incident radiation from its
to those of a visual wavelength camera. surroundings by absorbing and reflecting
However, the types of glass used in optics a portion of it, or allowing some of it to
for visible light cameras cannot be used pass through (as through a lens). From this
for optics in an infrared camera, as they do physical principle, the Total Radiation Law
not transmit IR wavelengths well enough. is derived, which can be stated with the
Conversely, materials that are transparent to following formula:
IR are often opaque to visible light. W = aW + rW + tW,
IR camera lenses typically use silicon (Si) which can be simplified to:
and germanium (Ge) materials. Normally 1 = a + r + t.
Si is used for MWIR (medium wavelength
IR) camera systems, whereas Ge is used The coefficients a, r, and t describe the
in LW (long wavelength) cameras. Si and object’s incident energy absorbtion (a),
Ge have good mechanical properties, i.e., reflection (r), and transmission (t). Each
they do not break easily, they are non- coefficient can have a value from zero to
one, depending on how well an object
absorbs, reflects, or transmits incident
MCT radiation. For example, if r = 0, t = 0, and a
PtSi QWIP = 1, then there is no reflected or transmitted
InSb Microbolometer radiation, and 100% of incident radiation is
absorbed. This is called a perfect blackbody.
MWIR LWIR
In the real world there are no objects
that are perfect absorbers, reflectors, or
3.0µm 5.0µm 8.0µm 14.0µm
transmitters, although some may come
very close to one of these properties.
Figure 2. Examples of detector materials and their
spectral responses relative to IR midwave (MW) Nonetheless, the concept of a perfect
and longwave (LW) bands blackbody is very important in the
2
IR Thermography – How It Works
4.50
4.00 T-1000˚C
Blackbody spectral radiant emittance
3.50
3.00
T-900˚C
2.50
2.00
T-700˚C
T-800˚C
T-600˚C
1.50
T-500˚C
1.00 T-400˚C
T-300˚C
0.50 T-200˚C
0.00
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Visible
light
3
Chapter 1
wavelength. This maximum can be Emissivity
calculated from Wien’s displacement law, The radiative properties of objects are
lmax = 2898/T, usually described in relation to a perfect
blackbody (the perfect emitter). If the
where T is the absolute temperature of emitted energy from a blackbody is
the blackbody, measured in Kelvin (K), and denoted as Wbb, and that of a normal
lmax is the wavelength at the maximum object at the same temperature as Wobj,
intensity. Using blackbody emittance then the ratio between these two values
curves, one can find that an object at 30°C describes the emissivity (e) of the object,
has a maximum near 10µm, whereas an e = Wobj / Wbb.
object at 1000°C has a radiant intensity with
Thus, emissivity is a number between 0
a maximum of near 2.3µm. The latter has a
and 1. The better the radiative properties
maximum spectral radiant emittance about of the object, the higher its emissivity.
1,400 times higher than a blackbody at 30°C, An object that has the same emissivity e
with a considerable portion of the radiation for all wavelengths is called a greybody.
in the visible spectrum. Consequently, for a greybody, Stefan-
Bolzmann’s law takes the form
From Planck’s law, the total radiated energy
from a blackbody can be calculated. This W = eσT4 (W/m2),
is expressed by a formula known as the which states that the total emissive
Stefan-Bolzmann law, power of a greybody is the same as that
of a blackbody of the same temperature
W = σT4 (W/m2),
reduced in proportion to the value of e for
where σ is the Stefan-Bolzmann’s constant the object.
(5.67 × 10–8 W/m2K4). As an example, a Still, most bodies are neither blackbodies
human being with a normal temperature nor greybodies. The emissivity varies with
(about 300 K) will radiate about 500W/ wavelength. As thermography operates
m2 of effective body surface. As a rule of only inside limited spectral ranges, in
thumb, the effective body surface is 1m2, practice it is often possible to treat objects
and radiates about 0.5kW—a substantial as greybodies. In any case, an object
heat loss. having emittance that varies strongly with
wavelength is called a selective radiator. For
The equations described in this section example, glass is a very selective radiator,
provide important relationships between behaving almost like a blackbody for
emitted radiation and temperature of a certain wavelengths, whereas it is rather the
perfect blackbody. Since most objects of opposite for other wavelengths.
interest to thermographers are not perfect
blackbodies, there needs to be some way Atmospheric Influence
for an IR camera to graph the temperature Between the object and the thermal
of a “normal” object. camera is the atmosphere, which tends
4
IR Thermography – How It Works
to attenuate radiation due to absorption high-pass filter above 7.5μm (Figure 4). The
by gases and scattering by particles. The MW band of 3–5µm tends to be employed
amount of attenuation depends heavily with highly sensitive detectors for high-
on radiation wavelength. Although the end R&D and military applications. When
atmosphere usually transmits visible light acquiring a signal through the atmosphere
very well, fog, clouds, rain, and snow can with MW cameras, selected transmission
prevent us from seeing distant objects. The bands must be used where less attenuation
same principle applies to infrared radiation. takes place.
For thermographic measurement we must Temperature Measurements
use the so-called atmospheric windows.
The radiation that impinges on the IR
As can be seen from Figure 4, they can be
camera lens comes from three different
found between 2 and 5µm, the mid-wave
sources. The camera receives radiation
windows, and 7.5–13.5µm, the long-wave from the target object, plus radiation from
window. Atmospheric attenuation prevents its surroundings that has been reflected
an object’s total radiation from reaching onto the object’s surface. Both of these
the camera. If no correction for attenuation radiation components become attenuated
is applied, the measured apparent when they pass through the atmosphere.
temperature will be lower and lower with Since the atmosphere absorbs part of the
increased distance. IR camera software radiation, it will also radiate some itself
corrects for atmospheric attenuation. (Kirchhoff’s law).
Typically, LW cameras in the 7.5–13.5μm Given this situation, we can derive a
range work well anywhere that formula for the calculation of the object’s
atmospheric attenuation is involved, temperature from a calibrated camera’s
because the atmosphere tends to act as a output.
Figure 4. Atmospheric attenuation (white areas) with a chart of the gases and water vapor causing
most of it. The areas under the curve represent the highest IR transmission.
5
Chapter 1
1. Emission from the object = e · t · Wobj, Wtot = (1 – t) · Wobj + (1 – e) · t · Wamb +
where e is the emissivity of the object (1 – t) · Watm,
and t is the transmittance of the
where e is the object emissivity, t is the
atmosphere.
transmission through the atmosphere, Tamb
2. Reflected emission from ambient sources is the (effective) temperature of the object’s
= (1 – e) · t · Wamb, where (1 – e) is the surroundings, or the reflected ambient
reflectance of the object. (It is assumed (background) temperature, and Tatm is the
that the temperature Tamb is the same temperature of the atmosphere.
for all emitting surfaces within the half To arrive at the correct target object
sphere seen from a point on the object’s temperature, IR camera software
surface.) requires inputs for the emissivity of
3. Emission from the atmosphere = the object, atmospheric attenuation
(1 – t) · Watm, where (1 – t) is the emissivity and temperature, and temperature of
the ambient surroundings. Depending
of the atmosphere.
on circumstances, these factors may
The total radiation power received by the be measured, assumed, or found from
camera can now be written: look-up tables.
6
Chapter 2
User Interface
IR In Video User Control
Detector Cooling Video Output
Processing
NIR Digitization Digital Output
Electronics Synchronization In/Out
MWIR
System Status
LWIR
Optics
7
Chapter 2
1012 1012
2π STERADIANS FIELD OF VIEW 2π STERADIANS FIELD OF VIEW
K 295K BACKGROUND TEMPERATURE 295K BACKGROUND TEMPERATURE
93
s1
Pb
7K
ID
ID PH
s7
ID
LP
EA
Pb
EA
EA
1011 H 1011 PH
L
L
K OT OT OT
95 OC OVO
s2 ID OVO
Pb ON LTAIC EA L
DU )7
7K L P TAIC
CTO (PV 7K HO
TOCONDUCTOR
R Te )7 3K
Cd PV
b( ) 19
D · (cm√Hz/W)
D · (cm√Hz/W)
Hg InS (PC
K T e
193 Cd
Se H g
Pb 7K K
1010 Se7 .2 1010
Pb a4
95
K :G
2 26K Si K K
Se :Hg .2 77
Pb Ge s4 V)
:A (P
Si K Te 7K
4.2 Cd
)7
Sb Hg PC
Si: e(
CdT
Hg
10 9 Bolometer (90Hz) 10 9
QWIP
Pyroelectric Det. (90Hz)
10 8 10 8
1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 25 30 40 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 25 30 40
Wavelength (µm) Wavelength (µm)
Figure 2. Detectivity (D*) curves for different detector materials
For more demanding applications, Table 1. Detector types and materials commonly
quantum detectors are used, which operate used in IR cameras.
on the basis of an intrinsic photoelectric Detector Type/ Operating
effect. These materials respond to IR Material Operation Temp.
by absorbing photons that elevate the Microbolometer
Broadband Uncooled
material’s electrons to a higher energy state, detector (~30°C)
causing a change in conductivity, voltage, SW photon
HgCdTe 200 K
detector
or current. By cooling these detectors to LW photon
cryogenic temperatures, they can be very HgCdTe 77 K
detector
sensitive to the IR that is focused on them. MW photon
InSb 77 K
They also react very quickly to changes detector
in IR levels (i.e., temperatures), having a PtSi
MW photon
77 K
constant response time on the order of detector
LW photon
1µs. Therefore, a camera with this type of QWIP
detector
70 K
detector is very useful in recording transient
thermal events. Still, quantum detectors Operating Principles for Quantum
have response curves with detectivity that
Detectors
varies strongly with wavelength (Figure 2).
Table 1 lists some of the most commonly In materials used for quantum detectors,
used detectors in today’s IR cameras. at room temperature there are electrons
at different energy levels. Some electrons
have sufficient thermal energy that they
are in the conduction band, meaning the
electrons there are free to move and the
8
IR Detectors For Thermographic Imaging
material can conduct an electrical current. There is a very exact lowest energy of
Most of the electrons, however, are found the incident photons that will allow an
in the valence band, where they do not electron to jump from the valence band
carry any current because they cannot into the conduction band. This energy is
move freely. (See left-most views of Fig 3.) related to a certain wavelength, the cut-
When the material is cooled to a low off wavelength. Since photon energy is
enough temperature, which varies with inversely proportional to its wavelength,
the chosen material, the thermal energy the energies are higher in the SW/MW
of the electrons may be so low that there band than in the LW band. Therefore, as
are none in the conduction band (upper a rule, the operating temperatures for
center view of Figure 3). Hence the material LW detectors are lower than for SW/MW
cannot carry any current. When these detectors. For an InSb MW detector, the
materials are exposed to incident photons, necessary temperature must be less than
and the photons have sufficient energy, 173 K (–100°C), although it may be operated
this energy can stimulate an electron in at a much lower temperature. An HgCdTe
the valence band, causing it to move up (MCT) LW detector must be cooled to 77 K
into the conduction band (upper right (–196°C) or lower. A QWIP detector typically
view of Figure 3). Thus the material (the needs to operate at about 70 K (–203°C) or
detector) can carry a photocurrent, which is lower. The lower center and right views
proportional to the intensity of the incident of Figure 3 depict quantum detector
radiation. wavelength dependence. The incident
9
Chapter 2
photon wavelength and energy must
Cold side
be sufficient to overcome the band gap Copper
energy, ΔE. Thermo-
electrical
Cooling Methods material
10
IR Detectors For Thermographic Imaging
11
Chapter 2
Radiation Radiation
+20°C +20°C
Figure 9. To normalize different FPA detector gains and offsets, the first correction step is offset
compensation. This brings each detector response within the dynamic range of the camera’s A/D
converter electronics.
A/D Dynamics
Radiation Radiation
+20°C +20°C
Third correction,
Signal Non-Uniformity Correction (NUC) Signal After NUC
Radiation Radiation
+20°C +20°C
Figure 11. After gain factors are brought to the same value, non-uniformity correction (NUC) is applied
so that all detectors have essentially the same electronic characteristics.
12
IR Detectors For Thermographic Imaging
100%
InGaAs InSb MCT-SW Microbolometer
90% MCT-LW
VisGaAs QWIP
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Wavelength λ [µm]
13
Chapter 3
14
Getting The Most From Your IR Camera
digital image counts, even with a linear in a digital count through the system’s
sensor. A/D converter. (For example, a FLIR
• Given the radiance and area of an object, ThermoVision® SC6000 IR camera has a
radiant intensity can be calculated. 14-bit dynamic range in its A/D converter,
Knowing total radiant intensity of a which creates count values ranging from
target gives a radiometric analyst the 0–16,383. The more IR energy incident on
ability to model the irradiance generated the camera’s detector (within its spectral
by the target over various geometric and band), the higher the digital count.)
atmospheric conditions. 4. When the camera is properly calibrated,
• The relationship between spectral digital counts are transformed into
bands of interest can be much easier radiance values.
to determine if you are working within 5. Finally, the calibrated camera‘s
radiometric units. electronics convert radiance values
• The comparison between different to temperature using the known or
objects in radiometric terms tends to measured emissivity of the target object.
have less uncertainty because emissivity
is not a concern. (One still needs to Expanding on Steps 4 and 5, an effective
consider atmospheric and spectral blackbody temperature measurement can
bandpass effects.) be derived from a radiance measurement
by applying a radiometric calibration,
• One can typically convert a radiometric temperature vs. radiance model, and
signature from radiance to effective emissivity of the target object or scene.
blackbody temperature given a few Every IR camera designed for serious
assumptions or ancillary measurement measurements is calibrated at the factory.
data. It tends to be more difficult to go In the calibration lab, the camera takes
from temperature to radiance. a number of blackbody measurements
Key Physical Relationships in at known temperatures, radiance levels,
Camera Operation emissivities, and distances. This creates
a table of values based on the A/D
There are five basic steps in producing counts from the temperature/radiance
radiometric and thermographic measurements.
measurements with an IR camera system:
Once the counts for each blackbody
1. The target object has a certain energy
temperature measurement are entered into
signature that is collected by the IR
the calibration software, the data are then
camera through its lens.
passed through an in-band radiance curve
2. This involves the collection of photons fit algorithm to produce the appropriate
in the case of a photon detector, or in-band radiance vs. count values given
collection of heat energy with a thermal the camera system’s normalized spectral
detector, such as a microbolometer. response function. This produces a
3. The collected energy causes the detector radiometric calibration of in-band radiance
to produce a signal voltage that results [W/(sr-cm2)] versus the digital counts
15
Chapter 3
2.1313e–04
1.9946e–04
Curve Fit Measurements
1.8579e–04
1.7212e–04
1.5845e–04
1.4478e–04
1.3111e–04
1.1744e–04
1.0377e–04
9.0096e–05
7.6425e–05
6.2755e–05
7.5899e+03
7.8025e+03
8.0151e+03
8.2738e+03
8.4503e+03
8.6629e+03
8.8856e+03
9.0981e+03
9.3107e+03
9.5334e+03
9.7460e+03
9.9585e+03
1.0181e+04
1.0393e+04
1.0606e+04
1.0829e+04
1.1041e+04
1.1264e+04
1.1476e+04
1.1689e+04
1.1912e+04
1.2124e+04
1.2337e+04
1.2559e+04
1.2772e+04
1.2985e+04
1.3207e+04
1.3420e+04
1.3632e+04
1.3855e+04
1.4068e+04
1.4280e+04
1.4503e+04
1.4716e+04
1.4938e+04
Measurement (Counts)
Figure 1. Example of camera measurements and corresponding in-band radiance values for given black
body temperatures with resulting radiance vs. measurement curve.
16
Getting The Most From Your IR Camera
and focused at a black body reference. The that runs on a PC. Even high-end cameras
temperature of the chamber and black are connected to PCs to expand their
body are then varied and data is collected internal calibration, correction, and
from the internal sensors. Correction analysis capabilities. For example, FLIR’s
factors are then created and stored in ThermaCAM® RTools™ software can serve
the camera. In real-time operation, the a wide variety of functions from real-time
camera sensors continually monitor internal image acquisition to post-acquisition
temperature and send feedback to the analysis.
camera processor. The camera output is
Whether the software is on the camera or
then corrected for any parasitic radiation
an external PC, the most useful packages
influences. This functionality is commonly
allow a user to easily modify calibration
referred to as ambient drift compensation.
variables. For instance, FLIR’s ThermaCAM
Ultimately, the camera must calculate at an RTools provides the ability to enter and
object’s temperature based on its emission, modify emissivity, atmospheric conditions,
reflected emission from ambient sources, distances, and other ancillary data needed
and emission from the atmosphere using to calculate and represent the exact
the Total Radiation Law. The total radiation temperature of the object, both live and
power received by the camera can be through saved data. This software provides
expressed as: a post-measurement capability to further
Wtot = e · t · Wobj + (1 – e) · t · Wamb + modify atmospheric conditions, spectral
responsivity, atmospheric transmission
(1 – t) · Watm,
changes, internal and external filters, and
where e is the object emissivity, t is the other important criteria as needed.
transmission through the atmosphere, Tamb
is the (effective) temperature of the object The discussions that follow below are
surroundings, or the reflected ambient intended to represent both onboard and
(background) temperature, and Tatm is the external camera firmware and software
temperature of the atmosphere. functions. Where these functions reside
depends on the camera.
The best results are obtained when a user
is diligent in entering known values for all Typical Camera Measurement Functions
the pertinent variables into the camera
software. Emissivity tables are available IR cameras have various operating
for a wide variety of common substances. modes to assure correct temperature
However, when in doubt, measurements measurements under different application
should be made to obtain the correct conditions. Typical measurement functions
values. include:
Calibration and analysis software tools • Spotmeter
available to users are not always contained • Area
onboard the camera. While high-end
cameras have many built-in software • Profile
functions, others rely on external software • Isotherm
17
Chapter 3
• Temperature range which may also be shown as a graph
(Figure 3).
• Color or gray scale settings
Cursor functions allow easy selection of an
area of interest, such as the crosshairs of the
spot readings in Figure 2. In addition, the
cursor may be able to select circle, square,
and irregularly shaped polygon areas, or
create a line for a temperature profile. Once
Figure 3. Graph of temperature along a selected
an area is selected, it can be “frozen” so area of a target object using a camera’s profile
that the camera can take a snapshot of that function
area. Alternatively, the camera image can The temperature measurement range
remain live for observation of changes in typically is selectable by the user. This
temperature. is a valuable feature when a scene has
a temperature range narrower than
a camera’s full-scale range. Setting a
narrower range allows better resolution
of the images and higher accuracy in the
measured temperatures. Therefore, images
will better illustrate smaller temperature
differences. On the other hand, a broader
scale and/or higher maximum temperature
range may be needed to prevent saturation
of the portion of the image at the highest
Figure 2. IR image of a printed circuit board temperature.
indicating three spot temperature readings.
Image colors correspond to the temperature As an adjunct to the temperature range
scale on the right. selection, most cameras allow a user to set
The spotmeter finds the temperature up a color scale or gray scale to optimize
at a particular point. Depending on the the camera image. Figure 4 illustrates two
camera, this function may allow ten or gray scale possibilities.
more movable spots, one or more of which In Figure 2 a so-called “iron scale” was used
may automatically find the hottest point for a color rendering. In a manner similar to
in the image. The area function isolates a the gray scale used in Figure 4, the hottest
selected area of an object or scene and temperatures can be rendered as either
finds the maximum, minimum, and average lighter colors or darker colors. Another
temperatures inside that area. The isotherm possibility is rendering images with what
function makes it possible to portray is known as a rainbow scale (Figure 5). In
the temperature distribution of a hot some color images, gray is used to indicate
area. Multiple isotherms may be allowed. areas where the camera detector has
The line profile is a way to visualize the become saturated (i.e., temperatures well
temperature along some part of the object, above the top of the scale).
18
Getting The Most From Your IR Camera
Figure 4. Gray scale images of car engine; left view has white as the hottest temperature; right view
shows black as the hottest
While choice of color scale is often a scale is selected so that each color is an
matter of personal preference, there may isotherm with a width of 2°C.
be times when one type of scale is better Still, it is important to realize that an
than another for illustrating the range of isothermal temperature scale rendering
temperatures in a scene. will not be accurate unless all of the
highlighted area has the same emissivity,
In the case of isotherm measurements,
and the ambient temperatures are the
areas with the same thermal radiance are
same for all objects within the area. This
highlighted. If we use a color scale with ten points out common problems for IR camera
colors, we will in fact get ten isotherms in users. Often, emissivity varies across an
the image. Such a scale sometimes makes object or scene, along with variations in
it easier to see the temperature distribution ambient temperatures, accompanied by
over an object. In Figure 6, the temperature atmospheric conditions that don’t match
Figure 5. Rainbow scale showing lower Figure 6. Isotherm color scale with each color
temperatures towards the blue end of the having an isotherm width of 2°C
spectrum
19
Chapter 3
a camera’s default values. This is why IR Once the object has reached the set
cameras include measurement correction temperature, the lid is drawn off and a
and calibration functions. thermogram is captured of the object. The
camera and/or software for processing
Emissivity Corrections thermograms can be used to get the
In most applications, the emissivity of an emissivity value.
object is based on values found in a table. Another (“adjacent spot”) method is much
Although camera software may include simpler, but still gives reasonably exact
an emissivity table, users usually have the values of the emissivity. It uses an area of
capability of inputting emissivity values known emissivity. The idea is to determine
for an object ranging from 0.1 to 1.0. Many the temperature of the object with the
cameras also provide automatic corrections camera in the usual way. The object is
based on user input for reflected ambient adjusted so that the area with unknown
temperature, viewing distance, relative emissivity is very close to an area of known
humidity, atmospheric transmission, and emissivity. The distance separating these
external optics. areas must be so small that it can be safely
As described earlier, the IR camera assumed they have the same temperature.
calculates a temperature based on radiance From this temperature measurement the
measurements and the object’s emissivity. unknown emissivity can be calculated.
However, when the emissivity value is The problem is illustrated in Figure 7, which
unknown or uncertain, the reverse process is an image of a printed circuit board (PCB)
can be applied. Knowing the object heated to a uniform temperature of 68.7°C.
temperature, emissivity can be calculated. However, areas of different emissivities may
This is usually done when exact emissivity actually have different temperatures, as
values are needed. There are two common indicated in the caption of Figure 7a. Using
methods of doing this. the technique just described, emissivity
The first method establishes a known correction proceeds by finding a reference
temperature by using an equalization spot where a temperature of 68.7°C is
box. This is essentially a tightly controlled indicated and calculating the emissivity at
temperature chamber with circulating that location. By knowing the emissivity
hot air. The length of time in the box of the reference spot, the emissivity of
must be sufficient to allow the whole the target spots can be calculated. The
object to be at a uniform temperature. In corrected temperatures are shown in Figure
addition, it is absolutely necessary that the 7b.
object stabilize at a temperature different As illustrated in these figures, this technique
from the surroundings where the actual can be used with a camera’s area selection
measurements will take place. Usually, the function (“AR” in the figures) and using
object is heated to a temperature at least the average temperature for that area. The
10°C above the surroundings to ensure that reason for using the average temperature
the thermodynamics of the measurements in the reference area is that there is usually
are valid. a spread of temperatures within the area,
20
Getting The Most From Your IR Camera
Figure 7a. PCB heated to a uniform 68.7°C, but Figure 7b. PCB with emissivity correction using
digital readouts are incorrect. the “adjacent spot” technique. Digital readouts
now indicate the correct temperatures at all
locations.
especially for materials with low emissivity. Knowing a camera’s field of view (FOV)
In that case, using a spotmeter or an specifications helps determine this.
area maximum value would give a less
Field of View (FOV). This parameter depends
stable result. The isotherm function is not
recommended either, as it is not possible to on the camera lens and focal plane
get the averaging effect with it. dimensions, and is expressed in degrees,
such as 35.5° × 28.7° or 18.2 × 14.6°. For a
It may also be possible to use a contact given viewing distance, this determines the
sensor to find the temperature of an dimensions of the total surface area “seen”
area of unknown emissivity, but such by the instrument (Figure 8). For example,
measurements pose other problems that a FLIR ThermoVision SC6000 camera with a
may not be easy to overcome. Furthermore, 25mm lens has an FOV of 0.64 × 0.51 meters
it is never possible to measure the at a distance of one meter, and 6.4 × 5.1
emissivity of an object whose temperature meters at a distance of ten meters.
is the same as the reflected ambient
temperature from its surroundings. Instantaneous Field of View (IFOV). This
is a measure of the spatial resolution
Generally, a user can also input other of a camera’s focal plane array (FPA)
variables that are needed to correct for detector. The configuration of the FPA
ambient conditions. These include factors in the FLIR ThermoVision SC6000 is 640
for ambient temperatures and atmospheric × 512 detectors, which makes a total of
attenuation around the target object. 327,680 individual picture elements (pixels).
Suppose you are looking at an object at
Using Camera Specifications a distance of one meter with this camera.
When considering IR camera performance, In determining the smallest detectable
most users are interested in how small object, it is important to know the area’s
an object or area can be detected and IFOV covered by an individual pixel in the
accurately measured at a given distance. array. The total FOV is 0.64 × 0.51 meters at
21
Chapter 3
Figure 8. A camera’s field of view (FOV) varies In the right view of Figure 10, the pixel
with viewing distance. covers more than the target object
area and will pick up radiation from
a distance of one meter. If we divide these
extraneous objects. If the object is hotter
FOV dimensions by the number of pixels in
than the objects beside or behind it, the
a line and row, respectively, we find that a
temperature reading will be too low,
pixel’s IFOV is an area approximately 1.0 ×
and vice versa. Therefore it is important
1.0mm at that distance. Figure 9 illustrates
to estimate the size of the target
this concept.
object compared to the IFOV in each
measurement situation.
Spot Size Ratio (SSR). At the start of a
measurement session, the distance
between the camera and the target
object should be considered explicitly.
For cameras that do not have a calibrated
spot size, the spot size ratio method
can be used to optimize measurement
Figure 9. A camera’s geometric (spatial) results. SSR is a number that tells how far
resolution (IFOV) is determined by its lens and
FPA configuration. the camera can be from a target object
of a given size in order to get a good
To use this information consider, the pixel temperature measurement. A typical figure
IFOV relative to the target object size might be 1,000:1 (also written 1,000/1, or
(Figure 10). In the left view of this figure, the simply abbreviated as 1,000). This can be
area of the object to be measured covers interpreted as follows: at 1000 mm distance
the IFOV completely. Therefore, the pixel from a target, the camera will measure a
will receive radiation only from the object, temperature averaged over a 1mm square.
and its temperature can be measured
correctly. Note that SSR is not just for targets far away.
It can be just as important for close-up
work. However, the camera’s minimum
focal distance must also be considered.
For shorter target distances, some
manufacturers offer close-up lenses.
22
Getting The Most From Your IR Camera
23
Chapter 3
identified based on a response and/or Conclusions
offset level outside user-defined points
from the mean response and absolute Recent advances in IR cameras have made
offset level. them much easier to use. Camera firmware
has made setup and operation as simple
Other NUC functions may be included as using a conventional video camera.
with this type of software, which are too Onboard and PC-based software provides
numerous to mention. The same is true
powerful measurement and analysis tools.
of many other off-the-shelf software
Nevertheless, for accurate results, the user
modules that can be purchased to facilitate
thermographic image display, analysis, should have an understanding of IR camera
data file storage, manipulation, and editing. optical principals and calibration methods.
Availability of compatible software is an At the very least, the emissivity of a target
important consideration when selecting an object should be entered into the camera’s
IR camera for a user’s application or work database, if not already available as a table
environment. entry.
24
Chapter 4
Filters Extend IR internal calibration data for the camera’s
spectral response. The spectral response
Camera Usefulness
is determined primarily by the camera’s
Where Filters Can Help lens and detector. Figure 1 shows the
spectral response of a few IR cameras with
Materials that are transparent or opaque to various spectral responses. The spectral
IR wavelengths present problems in non- performance of most cameras can be
contact temperature measurements with found in their user manual or technical
an IR camera. With transparent materials, specifications.
the camera sees through them and records
a temperature that is a combination of the For many objects, emissivity is a function
material itself and that which is behind it. of their radiance wavelength, and is
In the second case, when an IR camera further influenced by their temperature,
needs to see through a material to measure the angle at which they are viewed by a
the temperature of an object behind it, camera, and other factors. An object whose
signal attenuation and ambient reflections emissivity varies strongly with wavelength
can make accurate temperature readings is called a selective radiator. One that has
difficult or impossible. In some cases, an IR the same emissivity for all wavelengths is
filter can be placed in the camera’s optical called a greybody. Transparent materials,
path to overcome these problems. such as glass and many plastics, tend to
be selective radiators. In other words,
Spectral Response is the Key their degree of transparency varies with
IR cameras inherently measure irradiance wavelength. There may be IR wavelengths
not temperature. However, a camera’s where they are essentially opaque due to
software coverts radiance measurements absorption. Since, according to Kirchhoff’s
into temperatures by using the known Law, a good absorber is also a good emitter,
emissivity of a target object and applying this opens the possibility of measuring the
Relative
sensitivity
100%
InSb MCT-SW Mikrobolometer
90% MCT-LW
FLIR QWIP
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Wavelength λ [µm]
25
Chapter 4
radiance and temperature of a selective Besides semitransparent solids, selective
radiator at some wavelength. adaptation can also be applied to gases.
However, a very narrow filter might be
Spectral Adaptation required for selecting an absorption
Inserting a spectral filter into the “spike” in a gas. Even with proper filtering,
camera’s optical path is called spectral temperature measurement of gases is
adaptation. The first step of this process difficult, mainly due to unknown gas
is to analyze the spectral properties of density. Selective adaptation for a gas has
the semitransparent material you are a better chance of success if the objective
trying to measure. For common materials is merely gas detection, since there are less
the data may be available in published stringent requirements for quantitative
data. Otherwise, this requires analysis accuracy. In that case sensitivity would be
with a spectrophotometer. (The camera more important, and some gases with very
manufacturer or a consulting firm may high absorption might still be measurable.
supply this service.) In either case, the Spectral adaptation could also be applied
objective is to find the spectral location of the opposite way, i.e., selection of a spectral
a band of complete absorption that falls band where the transmission through a
within the IR camera’s response curve. medium is as high as possible. The purpose
Microbolometer detectors have rather would be to enable measurement on an
broad response curves so they are not object by seeing through the medium
likely to present a problem in this respect. without any interference. The medium
However, adding a filter decreases overall could be ordinary atmosphere, the
sensitivity due to narrowing of the camera’s atmosphere of combustion gases inside a
spectral range. Sensitivity is reduced furnace, or simply a window (or other solid)
approximately by the ratio of the area through which one wants to measure.
under the filter’s spectral curve to the area
under the camera’s spectral curve. This Filter Types
could be a problem for microbolometer The simplest filters are broadband neutral
systems, since they have relatively low density types that are used merely to
sensitivity to start with and a broad reduce optical transmission and prevent
spectral curve. Using a camera with, for detector saturation at high temperatures.
example, a QWIP detector will provide While necessary sometimes, this is not
greater sensitivity with a narrower spectral spectral adaptation.
curve. Still, this narrow range may limit the In spectral adaptation, filters are used
application of such cameras for spectral in order to suppress or transmit certain
adaptation. wavelengths. For discussion purposes,
Ultimately, an optical (IR) filter must be filters can be described as short-pass (SP),
selected that blocks all wavelengths except long-pass (LP), band-pass (BP), and narrow
the band where the object absorbs. This band-pass (NBP). See Figure 2. SP and LP
ensures that the object has high emissivity filters are specified with a cut-on and a
within that band. cut-off wavelength. BP and NBP filters are
26
Filters Extend IR Camera Usefulness
100
90
80
50 Band-pass filter
30 Short-pass filter
20
10
0
1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5
Wavelength, µm
specified with a center wavelength and NBP filter, which is designed to match
a half-width (half-power) wavelength, polyethylene film. The green curve shows
the latter being the width where spectral the resulting transmission through film
response has decreased to 50% of its plus the filter. This curve, running just
maximum. above the zero line, indicates an excellent
For temperature measurements on filter adaptation, i.e. the film appears to be
transparent materials, the filter selected opaque to the camera, and no background
must provide a band of essentially radiation would disturb the measurement
complete absorption. Incomplete of film temperature.
absorption can be used, at least
theoretically, provided that both Filters can also be classified according to
absorptance and reflectance are known their application temperature. Traditionally,
and stable at the absorption band. cold filters, filters that are stabilized at or
Unfortunately, absorption often varies with near the same temperature as the detector,
both temperature and thickness of the are the most accurate and desired filters
material. for thermal signatures. Warm filters, filters
An example of applying a NBP filter to screwed onto the back of the optical lens
the measurement of polyethylene film outside of the detector/cooler assembly, are
temperature is shown in Figure 3. The blue also commonly used but tend to provide
curve in the figure shows the absorption more radiometric calibration uncertainty
band of polyethylene film. The red curve due to varying IR emission with ambient
shows the transmittance of a 3.45µm temperature changes.
27
Chapter 4
Filter adaptation
1
0.9
0.8
3.45µm NBP filter
0.7
Transmission %
0.6 Polyethylene
0.5 transmission
0.4
Resulting
0.3 transmission
0.2
0.1
0
3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4
Wavelength, µm
Figure 3. Application of an NBP filter to achieve nearly complete absorption and high emittance from
polyethylene film, allowing its temperature measurement
Once a filter is selected for use with the IR camera to make the material appear
a particular camera, the camera/filter opaque.
combination needs to be calibrated
by the camera manufacturer. Then the To ensure that the proper filter was
performance of the system should be selected, spectral response curves for the
characterized since accuracy and sensitivity camera/filter system can be created by the
will be affected due to a reduction in camera manufacturer. (See the green curve
energy going to the detector. in Figure 3.) In fact, this is generally required
for permanent cold filter installations to
Transparent Material validate filter response. Otherwise, (with
Measurement Techniques supportive spectral data) the user can
proceed by checking emissivity. This is a
Production of sheet glass and thin plastic
verification of emissivity efficiency for the
film requires fairly tight temperature control
overall system response, including the
to maximize production quality and yield.
Traditionally, temperature sensors have target material and camera with installed
been embedded at the orifice of the filter. Recalling Kirchhoff’s law,
extruder, which provides rather coarse rl + el + tl = 1, or el = 1 – tl – rl ,
information about sheet/film temperature.
An IR machine vision system can make non- it is clear that in order to get an emissivity
contact temperature measurements and value, transmittance and reflectance at the
supply more usable data about the material pass band of the filter must be known. The
as it is extruded. However, as described transmittance, t l , can be taken directly
above, an appropriate filter is needed for from a transmission diagram like the one
28
Filters Extend IR Camera Usefulness
100
90
80
70
25µm
60
50 125µm
40
250µm
30
20
10
0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Wavelength, µm
in Figure 3 (a value of about 0.02 in that reasonable assumption that its surface
example). reflectance stays constant over the
absorption bands. Now recognize that the
Reflectance is less easy to characterize and
8% value is the result of reflections from
usually is a function of material thickness.
both sides of the film, i.e., approximately
However, a transmission diagram like the
4% per surface. At the absorption band,
one in Figure 4 provides some indication of
however, since the absorption in the
this parameter’s value. Using the blue curve
material is almost complete, we get
for the thinnest polyethylene material in
reflection only on one side. Thus rl = 0.04.
Figure 4, which has the lowest absorption,
the transmission between absorption From this rl , and the t l value obtained
bands is seen to be approximately 90%. If from the transmission graph (Figure 3 in this
there were no absorption bands at all, we example), emissivity can be calculated:
could conclude that the reflection would
el = 1 – 0.02 – 0.04 = 0.94.
be 10%. Since there are some narrow
absorption bands under the curve, we This value is entered into the camera’s
can estimate the reflection to be 8% in measurement database before having it
the spectral regions where absorption is calculate the temperatures from radiance
very low. However, we are interested in observations.
the reflectance where the absorption is
Sheet and plate glass production have
high (i.e., where the material appears to be
similar temperature measurement
opaque).
requirements. The most common
To estimate the reflectance of this industrial varieties are variations of soda-
polyethylene film, we must first make the lime-silica glass. Although they may vary
29
Chapter 4
100
0 .23
80
0.7
60
Transmittance %
1 .6
40
3. 2
20
5. 9
0
2 .5 3 3 .5 4 4 .5 5 5 .5 6 6 .5 7 7 .5 8
Wavelength, µm
Figure 5. Transmission curves for a common industrial glass in five thicknesses from 0.23 to 5.9mm
in composition and color, their spectral MW and LW cameras. A better choice may
characteristics do not change much. be a NBP filter.
Looking at the spectral transmittance of In Figure 6, transmission characteristics of
such a glass with different thicknesses a glass, an SW camera, and two filters are
(Figure 5), one can conclude that IR superimposed. The green curve represents
temperature measurement must be the LP filter response curve, whereas the
restricted to wavelengths above 4.3µm. NBP filter response is shown in blue. The
Depending on glass thickness, this may latter was selected for the spectral location
require either a midwavelength (MW) or where glass becomes “black,” and has a
long wavelength (LW) camera/detector. center wavelength of 5.0µm.
MW cameras cover some portion of the The reflectance of this glass is shown in
spectrum from 2–5μm, and LW cameras Figure 7. Note the peak between 8 and
cover some portion within 8–12μm. 12µm, which must be avoided when using
In selecting a filter, the temptation an LW camera to measure the glass.
might be to go for an LP type with a Another consideration is the camera’s
cut-on wavelength near the point where viewing angle, because glass reflectance
transmittance drops to zero. However, there can change with angle of incidence.
are other factors to consider. For example, Fortunately reflectance does not change
LP filter characteristics can interfere with much up to an angle of about 45° relative to
the negative slope of the spectral response normal incidence (Figure 8).
curve of thermo-electrically cooled HgCdTe From Figure 8, a value 0.025 for the glass
(MCT) detectors, which are used in both reflectance is valid when using either the
30
Filters Extend IR Camera Usefulness
70
SW/TE MCT spectral response
60
50
40
4.7µm LP filter curve
30
20 5.0µm NBP filter curve
10
0
1. 5 2 2. 5 3 3. 5 4 4. 5 5 5. 5 6
Wavelength, µm
40
30
20
10
0
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Wavelength, µm
31
Chapter 4
Figure 8. Glass reflectance as a function of camera viewing angle relative to normal incidence
32
Filters Extend IR Camera Usefulness
Relative
Intensity 3.9µm flame filter 4.3µm CO2 filter
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
Wavelength λ [µm]
Figure 9. Flame absorption spectrum of a gas-fired furnace with two types for filters for different
measurement applications
the measurement of flame temperature or because they attenuate the radiation from
the measurement of internal components the target object and they emit intensely
through the flames. In the latter case, an due to the high gas temperature, thus
unfiltered IR camera will be overwhelmed blinding the camera. Although gas-fired
by the intense radiation from the flames, combustion gases consist mostly of CO2
making measurement of the much weaker and water vapor, an atmospheric filter is
radiation from internal objects impossible.
unsuitable because gas concentrations and
On the other hand, any transmission
temperatures are much higher. This makes
through the flames from cooler internal
objects will make flame temperature the absorption bands deeper and broader.
measurements inaccurate. A flame filter is needed for this application.
See Figure 9. This is a BP filter transmitting
The flame absorption spectrum in Figure between 3.75 and 4.02µm. With this filter
9 reveals the spectral regions where these installed, the camera will produce an image
two types of measurement could be made.
where the flames are almost invisible and
There is very little radiation from the flames
the internal structure of the furnace is
in the 3.9µm area, whereas there is a lot of
radiation between the 4.2 and 4.4µm range. presented clearly (Figure 10).
The idea is to employ filters that utilize To get the maximum temperature of the
these spectral windows for the desired flames, a CO2 filter will show they are as
measurements. high as 1400°C. By comparison, the furnace
For measurement of internal components, walls as seen with the flame filter are a
you need to avoid strong absorption bands relatively cool 700°C.
33
Chapter 4
Conclusions
Filters can extend the application of IR
cameras into areas that might otherwise
restrict their use. Still, some preliminary
spectrophotometer measurements may
be needed on the objects and media of
interest if spectral information cannot
be found in IR literature. Once a filter is
selected and installed, the camera/filter
system should be calibrated by the camera
manufacturer. Even with a well-calibrated
system, it is a good idea to avoid errors by
not using spectral regions of uncertain or Figure 10. FLIR ThermaCAM® image of furnace
varying absorption relative to the camera/ tubes with flame filter to allow accurate
temperature measurement
filter system response spectrum.
34
Chapter 5
Ultra High-Speed limitations. Some were driven by additional
requirements that restricted the maximum
Thermography frame rates allowed. For example, cameras
Recent Advances in Thermal Imaging that required analog video output naturally
restricted the maximum frame rate due
We have all seen high-speed imagery at to the NTSC and PAL format requirements
some point in our lives, be it a video of a of 30Hz or 25Hz, respectively. This is true
missile in flight or a humming bird flapping regardless of the detector focal plane
its wings in slow motion. Both scenarios array’s (FPA) pixel rate capabilities, because
are made possible by high-speed visible the video monitor’s pixel rates are set by
cameras with ultra short exposure times the NTSC or PAL timing parameters (vertical
and triggered strobe lighting to avoid and horizontal blanking periods).
image blur, and usually require high frame However, with new improvements in
rates to ensure the captured video plays high-end commercial R&D camera
back smoothly. Until recently, the ability technologies, all these challenges have
to capture high-speed dynamic imagery been overcome and we can begin
has not been possible with traditional exploring the many benefits of high-speed
commercial IR cameras. Now, recent IR camera technology. The core benefits are
advances in IR camera technologies, such the ability to capture fast moving targets
as fast camera detector readouts and high without image blur, acquire enough data
performance electronics, allow high-speed to properly characterize dynamic energy
imagery. targets, and increase the dynamic range
Challenges prohibiting high-speed IR without compromising the number of
cameras were based primarily on readout frames per second.
electronic designs, camera pixel clocks,
and backend data acquisition systems Reducing Image Blur with Short
being too slow. Older readout designs only Integration Times
allowed minimum integration times down With advanced FPA Readout Integrated
to about 10µs, which in some cases were Circuits (ROIC), IR cameras can have
insufficient to stop motion on a fast moving integration times (analogous to exposure
target without image blur. Similarly, targets time or shutter speed in visible cameras)
with very fast temperature changes could as short as 500ns. In addition, new ROIC
not be sampled at an adequate frame rate designs maintain linearity all the way to the
to accurately characterize the object of bottom of their integration time limits; this
interest. Even with the advent of faster IR was not true for ROICs developed only a
cameras, there still remains the hurdle of few years ago.
how to collect high resolution, high-speed
The key benefit again is to avoid motion
data without overwhelming your data
blur as the target moves or vibrates
collection system and losing frames of data.
through the field of view of the camera.
Not all challenges for high-speed With sub-microsecond integration times,
IR cameras were due to technology these new cameras are more than sufficient
35
Chapter 5
for fast moving targets such as missiles or in Figure 1a shows a close-up IR image of the
the following example, a bullet in flight. bullet traveling at 840m/s (~1900 mph); yet
using the 1µs integration time, effectively
Faster Than a Speeding Bullet reduced the image blur to about 5 pixels.
In the following experiment, a high Figure 1b shows a reference image
speed IR Camera was used to capture of an identical bullet imaged with a
and measure the temperature of a 0.30 visible light camera set to operate with
caliber rifle bullet in flight. At the point of a 2-microsecond integration time. The
image capture the bullet was traveling at orientation of the bullets in the two images
supersonic speeds (800–900 meters per is identical – they both travel from left to
second) and was heated by friction within right. The bright glow seen on the waist of
the rifle barrel, the propellant charge, and the image is a reflection of bright studio
aerodynamic forces on the bullet. Due lights that were required to properly
to this heat load, the IR camera could illuminate the bullet during the exposure.
easily see the bullet even at the very short Unlike the thermal image, the visible image
integration time of 1µs; so unlike a visible required active illumination, since the bullet
camera, no strobe source is needed. was not hot enough to glow brightly in the
visible region of the spectrum.
A trigger was needed to start the camera
integration time to ensure the bullet was
High-Speed Imaging for Fast Transients
in the Field of View (FOV) of the camera at
the time of frame capture. This was done Short integration times and high-speed
by using an acoustic trigger from the rifle frame rates are not always paired together
shot, which locates the bullet along the in IR cameras. Many cameras have fast
axis of fire to within a distance of several frame rates but not fast integration times or
centimeters. vice versa. Still, fast frame rates are critical
Figure 1a. Infrared image of a 0.30 caliber bullet in Figure 1b. Visible-light image of an identical 0.30
flight with apparent temperatures caliber bullet in flight
36
Ultrahigh-Speed Thermography
80
An application where both short 60
load the IC experiences when biased and Actual Data Under Sampled Data
reverse biased with current levels outside Figure 3. Maximum IC temperature data – actual
the design limits. Without high-speed IR vs. undersampled
technology, sufficient data might not be
captured to characterize the true heat appear to benefit from high speed at first
transients on the IC due to under sampling. consideration.
This would not only give minimal data
to analyze, but could also give incorrect Pixel Clock vs. Analog to Digital Taps
readings of the true maximum temperature.
High-speed IR cameras require as a
prerequisite a combination of a fast pixel
clock and a higher number of analog to
digital (A/D) converters, commonly called
channels or taps. As a frame of reference,
most low performance cameras have two
channels or A/D converters and run at
lower than 40 megapixels/second clock
rates. This may sound fast, but when you
consider the amount of data, that translates
into around 60Hz in most cases.
High-speed IR cameras on the other hand
typically have a minimum of four channels
Figure 2. Integrated circuit with 800ms and have clock speeds of at least 50
overcurrent pulse
megapixels/second. In turn they offer 14-bit
When the IC was sampled at a frame rate digital data at frame rates of over 120Hz at
of 1000Hz, a maximum temperature of 95°C 640 × 512 window sizes. In order to increase
was reported. However, when sampled at frame rates further, IR cameras usually allow
only 500Hz, the true maximum temperature the user to reduce the window size or
was missed and a false maximum of 80°C number of pixels read out from FPA. Since
was reported (Figure 3). there is less data per frame to digitize and
transfer, the overall frame rate increases.
This is just one example of why high-speed Figure 4 illustrates the increase in frame
IR cameras can be so valuable for even rates relative to user defined window sizes.
simple applications that don’t necessarily
37
Chapter 5
range from 14 bits to around 18–22 bits per
frame.
Superframing involves cycling the IR
camera through up to four multiple
integration times (presets), capturing one
frame at each preset. This results in multiple
unique data movie files, one for each
preset. This data is then combined by using
off-the-shelf ABATER software. The software
Figure 4. Example of FPA window sizes relative to selects the best resolved pixel from each
frame rates unique frame to build a resultant frame
Newer camera designs offer 16 channels composed of data from all the collected
and pixel clocks upwards of 205 data movie files at varying integration
megapixels/second. This allows for very fast times.
frame rates without sacrificing the window This method is especially beneficial for
size and overall resolution. those imaging scenes with both hot and
cold objects in the same field of view.
Preset Sequencing Increases Typically a 14-bit camera cannot image
Dynamic Range simultaneously both hot and cold objects
High-speed IR cameras have an additional with a single integration time. This would
benefit that does not relate to high- result in either over exposure on the hot
speed targets, but rather to increasing the object or under exposure on the cold
dynamic range of the camera. By coupling object.
a high-speed IR camera with a data capture The results of superframing are illustrated
method known as superframing, you can in the Beechcraft King Air aircraft images
effectively increase the camera’s dynamic in Figure 5, captured at two different
Figure 5. Active aircraft engine imaged at integration rates of 2ms (left) and 30µs (right)
38
Ultrahigh-Speed Thermography
integration times. While the aircraft can be rate by the number of Presets cycled. By
clearly seen in the left image (Preset 0 = applying some simple calculations a 100Hz
2ms integration time), there are portions of camera with two Presets will provide an
the engine that are clearly over exposed. overall frame rate of 50Hz, well under the
Conversely, the right image in Figure 5 limits of our discussion of high speed IR
(Preset 1 = 30µs integration time), shows imagery. This only reinforces the need for
engine intake and exhaust detail with the a high speed camera. If a 305Hz camera
remainder of the aircraft underexposed. is superframed as in the example above,
When the two images in Figure 5 are a rate of over 150Hz per preset frame rate
processed in ABATER software, the best is achieved. This rate is well within the
resolved pixels are selected and used to bounds of high speed IR imaging.
build a single resultant superframed image
with no over or under exposed pixels Conclusions
(Figure 6). Sophisticated IR cameras are now available
with advanced readout electronics and
high speed pixel clocks, which open the
door for high speed IR imagery. This allows
us to expand the boundaries of which
applications can be solved using IR camera
solutions. Furthermore, it allows us to
begin capturing more data and increase
our accuracy for demanding applications
with fast moving targets, quick temperature
transients, and wide dynamic range scenes.
Figure 6. Superframed image created with With the release of this new technology
ABATER software from Preset 0 and Preset 1 data. in the commercial IR marketplace, we can
As you may have figured out, the down now begin to realize the benefits of high
side to this method of data collection speed data capture, once only available to
and analysis is the reduction in the frame the visible camera realm.
39
A wide range of thermal imaging cameras
for R&D and Science applications
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