33Verifying Thermal Imager Calibration

The OFFSET for a calibrated microbolometer is typically

�2�C (3.6�F) across its full temperature detection range, and usu-
ally �1�C (1.8�F) at physiologic temperatures.
If the imager�s OFFSET is greater than the specified maxi-
mum error, off to professional recalibration it goes! Be sure
to tell the technicians to calibrate it carefully at the 18�40�C
(~65�105�F) physiologic range and be less concerned about
other temperatures.
Image flatness at room temperature
Although checking image FLATNESS is becoming less important
with the newer low-power imagers that develop less internal heat,
it should be checked when the unit is first put into service and at
least annually. This test can be performed using the same image
taken for the OFFSET measurement (Figure 4.5b).
Equipment Needed:
� Same as that required for the OFFSET measurement
described above.
� The NIST-traceable bulb or digital thermometer is not
required here.
� A stable room-temperature blackbody device may be used
(optional).
Procedure:
Using the image already taken for the OFFSET measurement,
make four additional area measurements, one in each corner of
the image. The absolute FLATNESS for the image is the lowest of the
five measurements subtracted from the highest measurement. Some
image interpretation software applications can automatically find
and measure the highest and lowest temperatures detected across
an image, making this measurement simple and more universal.
Tflatness Tmax Tmin Troom= - @
where
� Tflatness is the maximum temperature difference over the
image.
� Tmax is the maximum temperature reading among the
measurements.
� Tmin is the minimum temperature reading among the
measurements.
� @Troom means the image is taken at a nominal room
temperature.
In this example (Figure 4.6a), Tflatness = 72.2�71.9 = 0.3�F
(0.17�C) @Troom. A FLATNESS value of 0.17�C (0.3�F) with this
simple test is acceptable. There will often be a slight temperature
gradient across the foam board due to air convection. This same
imager gave a FLATNESS value of 0.0�C (0.0�F) using a Blackbody
Calibrator as shown in the five-image sequence (Figure 4.6b).
Bucket calibration
Another calibration verification method suitable for a human
thermography clinic is referred to as �Bucket Calibration.�6 A
variation of Bucket Calibration is explained here. This method
is inexpensive, semi-automated, and requires little equipment.
Bucket Calibration tests both the imager GAIN and OFFSET, but
not image FLATNESS.
A common thin-walled metal bucket with the outside painted
flat black is filled with hot tap water at about 43�C (~110�F). The
water temperature is monitored by a NIST-calibrated remote-
reading, long-stem thermometer. The infrared imager under test
is aimed to measure an area temperature on the black portion of
the bucket, while the visual camera in the unit records the remote
readout of the immersed thermometer (Figure 4.7).
Imager Emissivity should be set to 0.95 (approximately
equal to the blackened bucket surface, see reference 9) and the
Background Temperature set to the room temperature. The envi-
ronment should be at nominal room temperature with little air
movement and no radiant infrared sources or sunlight.