Originally developed for surveillance and military operations, thermal cameras are now widely used for industrial applications such as building inspections (e.g., moisture, insulation, roof, etc.), firefighting, autonomous vehicles, automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems, industrial inspections, scientific research, and much more. These cameras come in a variety of form factors, from handheld cameras to unmanned drones, to scientific instruments sent into outer space.

Engineers developing products or systems incorporating thermal cameras need to have a clear understanding of the key design specifications including scene dynamic range, field of view, resolution, sensitivity, and spectral range, to name a few. Different cameras can excel at different things, so engineers need to understand the tradeoffs between different types of thermal camera modules and the impact those differences will have on the final product performance.

One important specification that is often overlooked at the expense of resolution, is the thermal sensitivity, the specification that defines the smallest temperature difference a camera can detect. A thermal camera’s sensitivity will have a direct impact on the image clarity and sharpness that camera can produce. Thermal devices measure sensitivity in milliKelvins (mK). The lower the number, the more sensitive the detector. The table below can be used to generally rate the sensitivity of a thermal detector.

Increased sensitivity makes thermal imagers more effective at seeing smaller temperature differences, which is especially important in scenes with low thermal contrast and when operating in challenging environmental conditions like fog, smoke, and dust. Selecting a more entry-level, essentially lower cost thermal camera, that features “acceptable” to “satisfactory” thermal sensitivity results in an end product that offers low contrast scenes resulting in poorer image quality, reduced detection range, and limited situational awareness compared to cameras with greater sensitivity. Devices with better thermal sensitivity are ideal for a wide variety of uses from search and rescue to industrial inspection to security.

For more information on thermal sensitivity, or to speak with an expert, please see www.flir.com/bosonplus.

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GOLETA, Calif. ― Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, today announced the release of the Neutrino LC CZ 15-300, the latest Neutrino IS series model of mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) camera modules with integrated continuous zoom (CZ) lenses.Designed for integrated solutions requiring crisp, long range, SD or HD MWIR imaging, the ITAR-free Neutrino IS series offers size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP+C) benefits to original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and system integrators for airborne, unmanned, C-UAS, security, ISR, and targeting applications.

“The Neutrino IS series portfolio and our ability to combine our off-the-shelf MWIR cameras and lenses provide integrators faster time to market, superior performance, and lower cost,” said Dan Walker, vice president of product management, Teledyne FLIR. “This model launch demonstrates our rapid integration capability from a single supplier, taking what once required multiple suppliers and more than two years to complete.”

Based on Teledyne FLIR HOT FPA technology, the Neutrino LC CZ 15-300 offers high performance, 640×512 HD MWIR imagery and 15 mm to 300 mm CZ capability for ruggedized products requiring long life, low power consumption, and quiet, low vibration operation. The long-life FL-100 linear cryocooler drives reliable operation and an industry-leading two-year warranty, further reducing integration risk and cost of ownership. 

All Neutrino IS products include a Teledyne FLIR CZ lens integrated with a Neutrino SWaP Series camera module (VGA or SXGA). The camera module and lens are designed for each other, providing optimal performance not achievable when buying and integrating cameras and lenses from multiple sources. Teledyne FLIR also provides highly-qualified technical services teams for integration support and expertise throughout the development and design cycle.

All Neutrino series are classified under US Department of Commerce jurisdiction as EAR 6A003.b.4.and are not subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).To learn more about the entire Neutrino family visit www.teledyneflir.com/neutrino.

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And with near off-the-shelf delivery, real price competitiveness and our well-known product support and reliability, Teledyne FLIR’s Neutrino portfolio is also the lowest risk solution. Teledyne FLIR also offers the industry-leading two-year warranty for Neutrino SWaP and IS series.

Save time and money with the integrated MWIR cooled camera module and continuous zoom lens solutions. The cost effective, swap-optimized Neutrino, can erase weeks of precision engineering, getting you to market faster than ever.

FLIR engineered specific zoom lens and camera combinations to guarantee simplified opto-mechanical integration and user interface while providing smooth continuous zoom with a common and simplified user interface in a variety of FOV options. These solutions are fully athermalized over a wide operating temperature range and are autofocus capable.

Teledyne FLIR understands the criticality of our user’s mission readiness and the importance of long, maintenance-free infrared (IR) system operation. Recognizing that reliability and operational lifetime are typically determined by the operation and lifetime of the cryocooler, Teledyne FLIR developed, tested, and manufactures a ruggedized, long-life, linear cryocooler to build size, weight, and power (SWaP) optimized MWIR camera modules with market-leading operational lifetimes. 

Learn more about our solutions: www.flir.com/neutrino

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Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, today introduced the Neutrino SX12 ISR1200, the first model in the new Neutrino Ground ISR series of high-performance, MWIR camera modules with integrated CZ optics. The HD MWIR system combines a Teledyne FLIR MWIR camera module and 120mm to 1,200mm CZ optics with industry-adopted imaging electronics from InVeo Designs LLC to provide a best-in-class ISR solution with low-switching-cost for defense and industrial integrators.

Based on Teledyne FLIR focal plane array (FPA) technology, near diffraction-limited optics, and a long-life linear Stirling cooler with 25,000 hour MTTF, the Neutrino SX12 ISR1200 offers 1280×1024 resolution with 12µm pixel size. It also features dual-parallel outputs using a 60Hz Camera Link base with 1080P30 HD-SDI or 720P60 HD-SDI, ideal for tracking, turbulence mitigation, and artificial intelligence. The SX12 ISR1200 is a turnkey system that is ideal for integration with ground-based, long-range ISR, perimeter surveillance, border surveillance, and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS).

“The Neutrino Ground ISR series joins the Neutrino IS series of MWIR camera modules with integrated CZ optics, offering defense and industrial integrators shortened time-to-market and reduced project risk thanks to its familiar imaging components and off-the-shelf design and delivery,” said Dan Walker, vice president, product management, Teledyne FLIR. “All Neutrino series systems are classified under US Department of Commerce jurisdiction as EAR 6A003.b.4.a and are not subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).”

The long focal length CZ lens was developed and is produced by the Teledyne FLIR team, formerly of New England Optical Systems (NEOS), which joined FLIR in 2019. The system provides autofocus, focus, and boresight retention through zoom, and it is factory optimized for each integrated system. The lens, the MWIR camera module, and imaging electronics are all designed and manufactured in the United States.      

To learn more about the entire Neutrino family of MWIR camera modules, including the Neutrino SWaP, Neutrino Performance, Neutrino IS, and the latest Neutrino Ground ISR series, visit www.teledyneflir.com/neutrino.

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GOLETA, Calif., April 4, 2022 ― Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, today announced the Boson+ with thermal sensitivity of 20 millikelvin (mK) or less, making it the most sensitive longwave infrared (LWIR) camera in the market. It shares the industry-leading SWaP of the widely deployed and real-world-proven Boson thermal camera module. With identical mechanical, electrical, and optical interfaces, the Boson+ is a drop-in upgrade that also includes updated image processing to deliver enhanced sharpness and contrast for defense and commercial applications.

“Improved thermal sensitivity and automatic gain control (AGC) allows for more scene detail in the image for better detection, specifically in outdoor low-contrast scenes,” said Dan Walker, vice president, product management, OEM cores, Teledyne FLIR. “Improved thermal performance and proven market-leading reliability make it the ideal uncooled thermal module for integration in unmanned platforms, security applications, handhelds, wearables, and thermal sights.”

Made in the USA, the Boson+ includes a redesigned640 x 512 resolution,12-micron pixel pitch detector with a noise equivalent differential temperature (NEDT) of 20mK or less which offers significantly enhanced detection, recognition, and identification (DRI) performance. Improved video latency enhances tracking, seeker performance, and decision support.

The shared Boson series interface and access to the US-based Teledyne FLIR Technical Services team reduce development risk and shorten time to market. Truly designed for integrators, the Boson+ is available with a variety of lens options, comprehensive product documentation, an easy-to-use SDK, and a user-friendly GUI. Boson+ is dual use and classified under US Department of Commerce jurisdiction as EAR 6A003.b.4.a.

The Teledyne FLIR Boson+ is available for purchase globally from Teledyne FLIR and its authorized dealers. To learn more or to purchase, visit https://www.flir.com/bosonplus.

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Cooled MWIR camera modules must be designed, tested, and manufactured to meet rigorous environment and reliability requirements. Recognizing that reliability and operational lifetime are predominantly determined by the lifetime of the cryocooler, Teledyne FLIR developed, tested, and manufactures the ruggedized, long-life, FL-100 linear cryocooler for its SWaP-optimized Neutrino MWIR camera modules. Based on lifetime tests and Weibull analysis, the MTTF of the Teledyne FLIR FL-100 cryocooler has increased to approximately 27,000 hours, significantly reducing the cost of ownership for systems using Neutrino.

The Neutrino MWIR camera portfolio continues to provide shortened time-to-market and reduced project risk with off-the-shelf design and delivery of high operating temperature (HOT) focal plane array (FPA) technology in 640×512 or 1280×1024 resolution. Teledyne FLIR can deliver high volumes of Neutrino, reducing supply chain risk of typically the most critical component in a high-level imaging system. The purpose-designed, factory-integrated continuous zoom (CZ) lenses and MWIR camera modules provide performance, cost, and schedule risk benefits unmatchable by other camera or lens suppliers.

Teledyne FLIR also provides highly-qualified technical services teams for integration support and expertise throughout the development and design cycle. Neutrino series are classified under US Department of Commerce jurisdiction as EAR 6A003.b.4.a and are not subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

To learn more about the entire Neutrino family of MWIR camera modules please visit www.flir.com/neutrino. For more information on the FL-100 and the importance of cryocoolers in infrared systems, please download the recently published Understanding Cryocooled Infrared System Reliability whitepaper from Teledyne FLIR.

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