THERMAL(IR) IMAGING TECHNOLOGY

BY

PUNEET GOYAL
Email: virgopuneet@gmail.com

SANT LONGOWAL INSTITUTE OF ENGG. &

TECHNOLOGY, LONGOWAL
Imaging Basics
 Electromagnetic Spectrum

Visible
 THERMAL IMAGING
(THERMOGRAPHY)
THERMOGRAPHY IS CONVERSION OF
INFRARED(HEAT) RADIATION INTO A REAL TIME
VIDEO PICTURE

THERMOGRAM IS PICTORIAL REPRESENTATION

OF TEMPERATURE AND EMMISSIVITY
DIFFERENCES ACROSS THE TARGET WITH
RESPECT TO BACKGROUND
 Physics Behind
Plank’s law of radiation

To determine over a spectral band of interest we integrate the Plank’s curve

 Physics Behind cont..
Stefan Boltzman Law
The total energy emitted at all wavelength by a
black body is related to the absolute
temperature as

Wb= T4
Where
Wb : total energy emitted
: constant=5.67x10-18 m-2K-4
T : temperature of the object
 Why Thermal Imaging?

It is quite easy to see everything ...but at night, you can see

during the day.. very little.

Thermal imaging lets you see again.

 Why Thermal Imaging? Cont….

 OPERATES IN TOTAL DARKNESS : TRULY PASSIVE

 LESS AFFECTED BY SMOKE, DUST OR LIGHT RAIN
 CANNOT BE BLINDED BY SEARCH LIGHT & FLARES
 REVEALS THE THERMAL DETAILS OF THE SCENE
 DETECTS THERMAL FOOT PRINTS
 LONGER DETECTION RANGE POSSIBLE
 How does aWhich
TI converts
work?
infra red radiation
in to electrical
signal
Which collects the
infra red radiation
and focus it on to
the detector array
 Different Elements of Imaging Process
TARGET ATMOSPHERE PLATFORM SENSOR/DEVICE DISPLAY OBSERVER

 TYPE ABSORPTIONS  RESOLUTION    TRAINING

 TYPE OF SIZE OF
 SIZE (H x V) - SYSTEM   EXPERIENCE
VIBRATION  SCREEN
 EMITTANCE TEMPERATURE PARAMETERS      AGE
 SPEED RESOLUTION
THERMAL -   BRIGTHNESS
   IQ
 ALTITUDE
CONTRAST VISIBILITY  DETECTOR
CONTRAST
   EYE MTF
 MOTION  SIGNAL
 DAY TIME PROCESSING
 Infrared Detector Types
Thermal Detectors (Uncooled Operation):
Detector element is sensitive to the change in its
temperature due to variation in incident radiant power,
resulting in change in material property. Response of
the detector is directly proportional to the energy
absorbed.
Bolometer : A temperature change causes a
change in resistance of detector material.
Thermocouple : Current flows due to change in
temperature
Typically operates at or near room temperature with
modest sensitivity, but available at low cost
 Infrared Detector Types cont..
Photon (Quantum) Detectors (Cooled)
Detector element consisting of Infrared sensitive
semiconductor like MCT, InSb etc. encapsulated in a dewar and is
sensitive to the change in its electrical property brought by
fluctuations in the number of incident photons. Response of
detector is directly proportional to photon absorbed.
PC Mode Detector : Variation in incident Photon
cause corresponding variation of current through the detector.
PV Mode Detector : It absorbs photons to create an e--h
pair across p-n junction. This current is generated without
the need for external bias.

Typically operates at cryogenic temperatures(4-200K)with high

sensitivity, but at higher cost
 Uncooled Detectors – Enabling Technology

Cooled Market segment Uncooled Market segment

 High performance
 Long range
 High resolution
 Relatively high cost
 Heavy
 High power
 Cool down time required
 Short range
 Low resolution
 Low cost
 Small size, light
 Low power
 Noiseless
 Instant operation readiness
 Maintenance free

Complementary: Not Competing

APPLICATIONS OF THERMAL IMAGING

•MILITARY
•INDUSTRIAL
•MEDICAL
•POLICE
•FIRE SAFETY
•MARINE
•FORESTRY
•NEWS MEDIA
 APPLICATIONS - Military

•AIR SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISANCE

•TARGET ACQUISITION FOR MISSILE LAUNCHING
•TARGET DETECTION AND ACQUISITION IN FIRE
CONTROL SYSTEMS
•NIGHT BOMBING
•INFRARED SEARCH AND TRACK SYSTEMS
•INFRARED SEEKERS
•HAND HELD THERMAL IMAGER FOR TROOPS
•MINE DETECTION
 APPLICATIONS - Military

(Missiles (end game

Tank sighting &

Missiles Rifle sights

Smart Munitions

Missiles
 APPLICATIONS - Military
Surveillance Helicopter with FLIR

Aerial IR image of tank

Factory & ships in backgound

 APPLICATIONS - Military
TARGET ACQUISITION FOR MISSILE LAUNCHING
 APPLICATIONS - Military

iR image of Battleship Aerial IR image of tank

Factory & ships in backgound iR image of Bridge and coastline

 APPLICATIONS - Medical

Inflammation in cervical region

along with extremely poor circulation in
Low back asymmetry
arms (blue colors).
 APPLICATIONS - Medical

Excellent symmetry in the lower extremities

Asymmetry is due to fracture

of the fibula on left leg Muscle tear in the upper leg.
Asymmetrical lower extremities.
APPLICATIONS - Medical

Blood Circulation

Blood Flow Vascular Scan

APPLICATIONS - Police

•SURVEILLANCE
•RIOT CONTROL
APPLICATIONS -Industry

Infrared facility roof survey. The brighter shades on this

image represent trapped moisture on the roof

Heat loss of a residential home

APPLICATIONS -Industry

Tank level analysis

 Thermal Imagers Developed In India

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