Boson - Uncooled, Longwave Infrared (LWIR) OEM Thermal Camera Module (2024)

FAQs

What is the range of an uncooled thermal imager? ›

Uncooled VOx Thermal Imager

Infiniti's LWIR cameras use a cutting-edge 12μm VOx uncooled sensor, giving the camera a narrower field of view without changing the lens. The smaller 12μm pixel pitch achieves a 40% further range than 17μm sensors or 200% further range than older 25μm sensors.

Uncooled thermal imaging cameras

Changes in scene temperature cause changes in the bolometer temperature which are converted to electrical signals and processed into an image.

It features an industry-leading thermal sensitivity of less than or equal to (≤)20 mK and an upgraded automatic gain control (AGC) filter delivering dramatically enhanced scene contrast and sharpness.

Cooled cameras generally exhibit superior magnification capabilities compared to uncooled counterparts, primarily due to their ability to sense shorter infrared wavelengths.

Cooled imagers are often bulkier than uncooled imagers, but they offer very high image quality and are compatible with longer-range lenses. Uncooled thermal imagers are compact and do not need to be integrated into bulky, potentially heavy packaging.

Long-wave infrared cameras, commonly known as Uncooled Thermal Cameras, are frequently used for mid range applications in cooler climates. Long-wave infrared (LWIR) is a subdivision of the IR band of the electromagnetic spectrum, which captures infrared energy in the 8 to 14μm long-wave infrared (LWIR) spectrum.

Reflective surfaces: Highly reflective surfaces, such as mirrors, glass, ceramic tile, linoleum floors, stainless steel, and other polished metals, can interfere with the thermal imaging process. These surfaces may reflect ambient heat, leading to inaccurate readings or difficulty detecting objects behind them.

Active IR systems use short wavelength infrared light to illuminate an area of interest. Some of the infrared energy is reflected back to a camera and interpreted to generate an image. Thermal imaging systems use mid- or long wavelength IR energy. Thermal imagers are passive, and only sense differences in heat.

Thermal cameras work by detect infrared radiation emitted by objects, which allows them to create thermal images based on temperature variations. In general, FLIR cameras have a range of a few feet to several miles.

What is the maximum distance for thermal imaging? ›

Infinite. Since thermal imaging uses radiation emitted by objects, and does not depend on an illuminator, there is no limit to the distance at which a sufficiently powerful source can be seen. Astronomers use IR cameras in space telescopes to look at objects millions of light-years away.

Depending on the camera configuration chosen it may be possible to detect humans beyond 15 km distance, ground vehicles or small boats beyond 20 km, larger ships or vessels and aircraft beyond 30 km.

However, while a conventional camera works in the range of visible light, with radiation wavelengths between approximately 400 and 700 nm (or 0.4–0.7 µm), a thermal camera is designed to detect radiation with greater wavelengths, up to around 14,000 nm (or 14 µm).