Long range thermal IR infrared imaging PTZ cameras are a valuable asset to many military, law enforcement, industrial and commercial professionals. These exotic imaging systems are typically referred to as PTZ EOIR systems (Pan Tilt Zoom Electro Optical Infrared systems). Thermal sensors are available in 2 flavours, LWIR long wave infrared which is uncooled thermal sensor technology operating at 7-14 microns and cooled MWIR midwave infrared which operates at 3-5 microns. Both offer very good imaging performance, although the cooled Mwir thermal detectors will provide a more sensitive video at longer ranges. These Mwir variety of focal plane arrays are also more expensive. Long Range PTZ thermal camera system have been used and are currently used by Many US military and other armed forces for a multitude of tactical operations. SPI is a major supplier of long range PTZ cameras.
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of the M9 COOLED LONG RANGE
MWIR EOIR PTZ IMAGING SYSTEM
Complimentary to uncooled and cooled ptz pan tilt zoom payloads are long range cctv zoom cameras which provide visible daytime video, these cameras generally have lenses that range from 10mm up to 2500mm. Other sensors such as swir (short wave infrared), NIR (near infrared), BSTFA color night vision are also available to compliment the thermal cameras, add on components such as Lrf (laser range finders), gps, compass, infrared IR laser pointers/illuminators and designator aid in target location, detection and discrimination are available as well.
Very long detection ranges can be achieved with proper high grade thermal and cctv lenses / systems that exceed 50 kilometers.
Another very important factor of a robust Eoir imaging system is the actual positioner that pans, tilts and moves the cameras to the users desired position, this mechanism is constantly moving and should be solid state with high repeatability and reliability. Gyro stabilization is an added feature that helps keep the image stable while moving or imaging at long zoom telephoto distances.
Coupled to the entire Eoir system are radar compatibility, software for auto tracking, alarming and detecting of targets of interest, this is sometimes referred to as slew to cue or slew to alarm.
Homeland Security never sleeps. It’s a 24/7 operation that can’t afford downtime or periods of reduced readiness. More and more, Long range PTZ thermal FLIR security cameras along with complimentary CCTV long range zoom telephoto TV EO sensors have become the visual surveillance sensor of choice for these demanding, high-security missions.
For many years PTZ (Pan, Tilt Zoom) FLIR thermal cameras have proven themselves to be the best 24-hour visual surveillance imaging solutions available, and today they are a vital component in the US Homeland Security mission, helping to secure our borders, airports, sea ports, nuclear facilities, and other critical infrastructure installations.
Through dust and smog, even in the darkest nights, SPI’s Long range stationary, vehicle, mast mounted PTZ (pan & tilt, zoom) FLIR thermal cameras let security professionals see intruders and vehicles alike at various short, medium, long, and very long detection, recognition and Identification (DRI) Ranges.. No matter what they need to see, or where they need to see it from, SPI thermal FLIR PTZ cameras keep law enforcement and security officers seeing clearly.
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of the M7X UNCOOLED LONG RANGE
LWIR EOIR PTZ IMAGING SYSTEM
FLIR (Forward Looking InfraRed) Thermal Imaging cameras
The demand for COOLED AND UNCOOLED MWIR/LWIR thermal imaging to enhance the CCTV environment is increasing markedly. High Resolution, ultra sensitive, Advanced Micron Pitched Thermal imaging provides 24-hour, all-year-round, long-range asset and personnel protection. Unlike other cameras thermal imaging cameras require no lighting that may draw unwanted attention to a facility or site. They provide vivid, high-contrast images of intruders even when light fog, smoke, rain, snow, foliage or lack of ambient light may make them difficult to see with the naked eye or with conventional cameras.
Some thermal imaging cameras have a range up to 50km and can be easily integrated into either legacy video or modern IP based networks to complement established daylight cameras. Compatibility with third-party video analytical tools provides reliable unattended threat detection and alarm capability.
Thermal imaging has a valuable part to play in short to long-range surveillance but there are several system choices available in the commercial market place. The main options are a cooled or uncooled thermal imaging system. So apart from the obvious what is the difference between them and which one is the most effective system?
cooled MWIR MID WAVE INFARED (Stirling micro-cooler type) FLIR thermal imaging camera
Let’s start with the design basics. A cryocooler is integrated with the imaging sensor on a cooled camera to reduce thermally-induced noise to a level below that of the signal being imaged. This type of camera is the most sensitive to small differences in scene temperature. They can be produced to image in the midwave infrared or MWIR band of the spectrum where the thermal contrast is high due to blackbody physics. They can also be designed to work in the longwave infrared or LWIR band.
Thermal contrast is the change in signal for a change in target temperature. The higher the thermal contrast, the easier it is to detect targets against a background that may not be much colder or hotter than the target. Generally speaking, the images from MWIR cameras pointed at nighttime scenes of interest show quite vivid contrast compared with other infrared wavebands.
Uncooled LWIR LONG WAVE INFARED (Thermo Electric TE) FLIR thermal imaging camera
A common detector design employed by the uncooled infrared camera is based on the microbolometer. This is a tiny vanadium oxide resistor with a large temperature coefficient on a silicon element with a large surface area exhibiting low heat capability and good thermal isolation.
Changes in scene temperature cause changes in the bolometer temperature that are converted into electrical signals and processed into an image. Uncooled sensors are designed to work in the longwave infrared from 7 to 14 microns where terrestrial temperature targets emit most of their infrared energy.
Uncooled cameras are generally less expensive than their cooled counterparts. The manufacturing economies based on detector-demand have a large part to play here but so too does the exclusion of the cyrocooler which is costly device. As they also have fewer wearing parts uncooled cameras have longer service lives.
Cost effectiveness of thermal FLIR imaging cameras
Given the price-sensitivity of the security market and the need for cameras capable of uninterrupted operation there would appear to be little or no case for a cooled camera. But of course it’s not as clear-cut as that! Range and other issues have to be considered. When the stand-off range is 5km or greater, thermal imaging systems, based on cooled cameras, quickly become more cost-effective. And note the emphasis on the word ‘systems’ of which the basic thermal camera is just a part.
One of the biggest cost drivers of a long-range uncooled system is the lens. As effective range requirements increase the lenses for uncooled camera systems become so bulky and expensive that it can often be cheaper to opt for a cooled camera with an equivalent focal length lens.
SPI long range cooled MWIR thermal camera with laser range finder-SPI
cooled MWIR MID WAVE INFARED (Stirling micro-cooler type) FLIR thermal imaging camera
Design basics; A cryocooler is integrated with the imaging sensor on a cooled camera to reduce thermally-induced noise to a level below that of the signal being imaged. This type of camera is the most sensitive to small differences in scene temperature. They can be produced to image in the midwave infrared or MWIR band of the spectrum where the thermal contrast is high due to blackbody physics. They can also be designed to work in the long-wave infrared or LWIR band.
The fact that Cooled thermal imaging MWIR cameras are more sensitive makes them a great tool for complicated environments such as tropical and humid ones. The cooled MWIR thermal cameras can provide a very detailed image even in very cluttered and thermally adverse scenes.
If There is s subtle change in temperatures of just a few degrees, the cooled MWIR cameras will interpret and make out a very usable image.
Incredible ultra extreme long range continuous zoom thermal imaging lenses re available from SPI that start from 10mm and go up to 2550mm, These ultra precise exotic optical instruments allow for detection of over 60 Kilometers.
Thermal contrast is the change in signal for a change in target temperature. The higher the thermal contrast, the easier it is to detect targets against a background that may not be much colder or hotter than the target. Generally speaking, the images from MWIR cameras pointed at nighttime scenes of interest show quite vivid contrast compared with other infrared wavebands.
Uncooled LWIR LONG WAVE INFARED (Thermo Electric TE) FLIR thermal imaging camera
A common detector design employed by the uncooled infrared camera is based on the microbolometer. This is a tiny vanadium oxide resistor with a large temperature coefficient on a silicon element with a large surface area exhibiting low heat capability and good thermal isolation.
Changes in scene temperature cause changes in the bolometer temperature that are converted into electrical signals and processed into an image. Uncooled sensors are designed to work in the longwave infrared from 7 to 14 microns where terrestrial temperature targets emit most of their infrared energy.
Uncooled cameras are generally less expensive than their cooled counterparts. The manufacturing economies based on detector-demand have a large part to play here but so too does the exclusion of the cyrocooler which is costly device. As they also have fewer wearing parts uncooled cameras have longer service lives.
Cost effectiveness of thermal FLIR imaging cameras
Given the price-sensitivity of the security market and the need for cameras capable of uninterrupted operation there would appear to be little or no case for a cooled camera. But of course it’s not as clear-cut as that! Range and other issues have to be considered. When the stand-off range is 5km or greater, thermal imaging systems, based on cooled cameras, quickly become more cost-effective. And note the emphasis on the word ‘systems’ of which the basic thermal camera is just a part.
One of the biggest cost drivers of a long-range uncooled system is the lens. As effective range requirements increase the lenses for uncooled camera systems become so bulky and expensive that it can often be cheaper to opt for a cooled camera with an equivalent focal length lens.
PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) Thermal FLIR imaging provides 24-hour, all-year-round, long-range asset and personnel protection.
The cooled system cost is high at short focal lengths where the price of the lens is a relatively small fraction of the system cost. Unlike the uncooled system, the cost of the cooled option does not increase rapidly with focal lengths. This difference in cost is driven by the lens and the crossover point – currently around 350mm for typical systems – is changing in the rapidly emerging global IR optics market.
Why are lenses more expensive for PTZ Pan Tilt FLIR uncooled thermal cameras at long focal length?
It has to do with another crucial lens parameter, the f/number. This determines the light gathering power of the lens and therefore affects the sensitivity of the camera system.
As the focal length of the lens is increased, the diameter of the front lens element must also be increased to keep the system f/number constant. An uncooled camera has to be run at a low f/number – typically 1.4 ~ 2 – to achieve the sensitivity comparable with that of a cooled camera. Higher f/numbers reduce uncooled camera sensitivity and there is no adjustment to compensate for the reduction in the light signal transmitted through the lens.
The f/number of an optical system is the ratio of the focal length of the lens to the diameter of the front lens element. For example, an f/2 lens with a 500mm focal length must therefore have a 250mm diameter front lens element. That element is very expensive and approaches the limits of manufacturability for germanium. In part this is due to the difficulty in making a large enough optics-grade blank of raw germanium material.
Integration time of FLIR thermal imaging cameras
In contrast, a cooled camera system can be operated at f/numbers of 4 and higher without significantly compromising system sensitivity. This is because the exposure or integration time of a cooled camera is an adjustment parameter that can be increased to make up for reduced light throughput.
The integration times needed to operate with f/5 lenses are less than 10msec enabling 50/60Hz and higher video frame rates which are standard in the security industry. An uncooled camera cannot have its integration time increased. It is continuously integrating IR light from the scene.
An f/4 lens with a 500mm focal length need only have a 125mm diameter front optic which is much less expensive than a 250mm optic. Longer focal length lenses for cooled systems are readily available commercially – up to 1000mm – at f/4; very long focal length lenses of several meters or more at f/5.5 have also been constructed & designed.
Effect of multi-km range on cost of thermal imaging cameras
The multi-tasking ability of the PTZ PAN TILT ZOOM FLIR thermal camera brings it into a completely different league.
In conclusion, long-range thermal infrared surveillance applications require long focal length lenses. The cost of lenses increases rapidly with focal length for uncooled camera systems and slowly for cooled systems. As a result, despite the higher cost of cooled camera core, the system cost – the core plus the lens – for the uncooled camera surpasses it at a focal length of around 350mm. Useful imaging of man-sized targets at multi-km ranges exceeds that limit. Therefore in these circumstances the cooled camera is the more cost-effective option.
FLIR Thermal imaging cameras multi-tasking ability
Justifying a system is not just about purchase price and maintenance. Unlike a conventional CCTV, a thermal camera can be used in other applications beyond simply supplying a visual image for the security operation. For example, it can provide important life-saving images in the case of a fire or explosion where visibility is impeded by smoke and dust. It gives the emergency services vital information on location of victims and access routes.
By and large, security cameras have always been seen as a necessary evil and therefore the subject of strict budget limitation. The multi-tasking ability of the thermal camera brings it into a completely different league as its higher cost can be justified more easily.
A thermal camera is easily combined with other technologies such as fence alarms, ground sensors, radar, TV cameras, VMD and intelligent analysis to provide early detection, alarm, visual verification and assessment. These elements can be configured into a fully automated system to raise the alarm and notify security staff in the event of a threat, eliminating the need for constant visual monitoring of multiple cameras.
Good choice: cooled or uncooled thermal FLIR imaging camera?
Thermal imaging FLIR cameras can be easily integrated into legacy video or IP networks
In order to achieve layered situational awareness, one of the first things that should be checked when looking for a thermal security solution is that the vendor offers a broad spectrum of products, price points, performance specifications and configuration options. Naturally they should all be fully compatible to existing command and control software environments. The ultimate choice should provide the optimum combination of equipment and software at the lowest installation cost.
The thermal FLIR cameras should be geared for facility network infrastructures and therefore be both future and backwardly compatible to support both legacy interfaces and emerging IP-based standards. Ideally, they should simply plug-and-play with all allied systems and have the software tools to provide the flexibility to accommodate future needs.
Whilst being more expensive than a traditional CCTV camera based system its price to performance ratio is considerably higher. A simple calculation proves the point. How many CCTV cameras would you need to protect and monitor a 2km-perimeter fence? Remember, if you want so guard the fence during nighttime, in all weather conditions, you will also need additional lighting for these cameras and to budget for their power consumption. And the cameras and lights will have to be maintained and serviced. Now compare that cost with just two thermal cameras to do the same job. No extras, no on-costs, just a one-off investment. Thermal imaging is a highly cost effective solution.
SPI Can custom configure and integrate a complete solution with cooled or uncooled thermal FLIR infrared IR imaging cameras, along with long range CMOS CCTV high magnification telephoto zoom lenses with a variety of laser pointers, illuminators and rangefinders. SPI’s Lasers Range from 800Nm to 1600Nm covering a wide spectral range for the customers unique needs. Ultra low light b&w and color CMOS and Emerging sensor technologies can also be integrated into the M7 system for a full comprehensive imaging suite from 400nm to 14Um.
PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) Long range FLIR Thermal security cameras act as a force multiplier, allowing law enforcement, military and security operators to react more effectively — responding to threats with the appropriate force, and using agency resources more efficiently.
For instance, thermal PTZ FLIR security cameras have been widely adopted as the imaging technology of choice to answer federal regulations requiring unbroken video surveillance coverage like the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s requirement for one, that nuclear facilities provide continuous 24-hour surveillance, observation, and monitoring of their perimeter and control areas. They have become an integral part of the Delay, Detect, Respond strategy; their increased detection range giving security forces more time to respond, contain, and neutralize adversaries before they can access or damage nuclear materials or facilities.
Gyro-Stabilized Pan Tilt Zoom PTZ cameras
SPi Implements the worlds best and most precise Gyro Stabilization, This is essential when the camera is on the move on mobile, vehicle, boat/marine application where stability is a must. Long range, long distance telephoto zoom optics require the aid of multi axis mechanical and electronic gyro stabilization to offer the user a rock steady image in the effort to make out targets at very long ranges.
Thermal Infrared FLIR Imaging DRI
Detection, (D) Recognition, (R) & Identification (I) (DRI) (Johnston criteria) , is the universal standard for rating thermal IR FLIR cameras.
Detection
Detection means that you will be able to see the target, it means that the target is visible on the image monitor, and that there is a good chance that the target is actually something of suspicion that may need further investigation or consideration.
Recognition
Recognition means that you are able to recognize an object’s class (human vs car, human vs animal, truck vs tank, etc).
Identification
Identification of an object means that you are able to differentiate between
objects. For example, being able to identify the exact type of vehicle not just
its shape.
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of the M9 COOLED LONG RANGE
MWIR EOIR PTZ IMAGING SYSTEM
Thermal IR: Advantages Over Optical Cameras
Unlike standard TV, CCD or CCTV Camera systems, which like the human eye requires some light, thermal FLIR IR imaging detectors and sensors uses infrared electromagnetic radiation 3,000-14,000nm wavelengths (heat) to produce clean, crisp monochrome or color images even in complete darkness. Thermal infrared LWIR and MWIR (Uncooled and cooled) FLIR IR cameras are extremely effective as humans, animals, and vehicles are all very hot in contrast to a background making them easily detectable by SPI’s ultra-sensitive, hand selected thermal camera arrays. This allows SPI’s thermal cameras to detect threats at distances up to 30km, even in complete total darkness. Not only does thermal FLIR Imagers offer longer night vision ranges but it has advantages during the day as well. Standard visible CCTV cameras can be rendered useless by direct or reflected sunlight because they rely on contrast in order to identify an intruder. In areas where contrast is poor optical cameras can be rendered useless and their performances change based on lighting conditions. a good quality Thermal PTZ Camera, however, is completely immune to light allowing it to see in any lighting environment for 24/7 true day/night/twilight imaging.
SPI’s powerful thermal Imaging security cameras compliment and complete your security camera network. They turn night into day, allowing you to see intruders invisible to the naked eye. Thermal FLIR cameras create video images from infrared thermal energy (heat), and perform well at night and day, in good weather and bad.
Passive Stealth undetectable Imaging
Thermal FLIR IR LWIR & MWIR (uncooled & cooled) imaging is a passive technology meaning that, thermal IR does not artificially increase light or require any illumination or light source. This is extremely important as standard active infrared illumination or lasers emit a faint red glow which can allow intruders to find possible blind spots in your surveillance system (active Infrared and lasers also emit an invisible beam that the human eye cannot see, although it can easily be spotted by traditional night vision devices, and which can be a deterrent when trying to be completely “invisible” without giving away the position). There are many applications that require stealth, such as SWAT teams, investigation units, counter surveillance and military personnel who require their presence to be undetected in order to achieve their objective. Thermal IR imagers are the best technology for these applications as it is a completely passive technology allowing you to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance and spotting day or night.
Image Enhancements
SPI’s LWIR and MWIR PTZ Pan Tilt Zoom thermal infrared FLIR imaging cameras integrate specialty image enhancement algorithms that increase the thermal images contrast, gain and level settings allowing the user to better distinguish details within the image, Image enhancement can be of value because it cleans up the image of blooming, unnecessary noise and brings out crucial details of subject, vehicle, the landscape and surrounding areas no matter if looking at the land, sky or waterways.
Custom Built OEM EO/IR PTZ Solution based on application and budget
They are many manufactures of thermal infrared flir imaging cooled and uncooled systems and visible ccd cctv zoom 1000mm and 2000mm lens available, SPI can custom configure the perfect camera system for your exact application and integrate it into an existing network or a brand new install. Multiple exotic sensors and detectors are available like long range zoom telephoto long distance Visible, Thermal, Active IR, Range Gated, SWIR, NIR, Color night vision, Starlight, cooled MWIR thermal and uncooled LWIR Thermal. SPI listens to the customer & designs the perfect system for your needs all at an affordable low cost solution, we offer EOIR multi sensor systems to leverage the benefit of all of these technologies into integrated camera systems that operate as one complete system. We custom build cameras to suit the individual needs of our customers, our systems are by far the absolute most rugged and reliable in the world, come visit our ISO factory to se all of what we do when manufacturing your camera system. We offer in house and in the field training & are a premier manufacturer of night vision electro optical systems. Our systems are all military grade and offer MIL STD 810 Ratings amongst other premier certifications.
Military & Homeland Security Surveillance and Reconnaissance
Governments around the world are faced with the growing challenge of threats from both internal unrest and outside intrusions; homeland security has never been a larger concern. With the new face of terrorism it has become increasingly difficult to isolate and appropriately respond to threats, without burdening the average citizen, before they cause catastrophic damage. These new threats require new technologies. Homeland security can no longer rely solely on traditional technologies such as thermal and intensified images but must augment and replace their existing equipment with technologies that are able to provide true identification of targets day or night. This requires the utilization of video analytics and applied automated intelligence to help operators identify and respond to suspicious activity before it poses a threat in real time.
Homeland Security Border Protection
Homeland security and battlefields are the environments with the highest stakes; countless lives of military personnel, law enforcement and civilians are on the line. Having situational awareness and gaining a tactical advantage is absolutely critical. Instruments and surveillance equipment must provide real-time long range threat detection as well as the ability to identify and neutralize threats.
SPi is committed to providing state-of-the-art integrated surveillance solutions including ultra-long range night vision, premier security, situational assessment and a host of technologies and turnkey solutions designed for 24/7 operation in the most brutal of environments. SPI can custom build to suit any application including but not limited to:
Force Protection, Perimeter Security, Embassy Protection Forces, Mobile/Fixed Command Centers, Ruggedized Surveillance, Tactical Command and Control, Day/Night Situational Awareness, Anti-Pirate systems, Wireless Secured Communication, Enterprise Video Management, GPS Enabled Video Analytics, Threat Detection Technologies, Radar, Microwave and Electromagnetic, Laser LRF Ranger Finders and Target Acquisition, UAV Detection & Identification Equipped with Multi-Sensor Sniper Detection, Missile/rocket tracking, EOIR, RSTA C4ISR, ISR.
Intelligent Video Analytics and Thermal Infrared FLIR imaging cameras
Video analytics is revolutionizing the way we use cameras. Video analytics allows us to add intelligence and automation to security cameras dramatically increasing performance and capabilities. Video analytics are widely used with optical cameras as optical cameras cost less and are more abundant than thermal cameras. This has been a major limiting factor to the effectiveness and performance of video analytics. Optical cameras require light and as a result the images they produce change with the lighting conditions. Video analytics detect changes in a scene and, through advanced algorithms, rules and user defined parameters, it intelligently creates alerts when an abnormal event causes a trigger. A common example is a trip wire where a user draws a perimeter and if any object crosses that perimeter it generates an alarm. In a more advanced and automated system this will move a PTZ to the position of intrusions and even auto track the intruder. Optical cameras have a high false alarm rate because changes in lighting can trigger false alarms. Optical cameras are also limited to around 200 feet at night as they use traditional IR LED illumination. LWIR and MWIR (uncooled and cooled) Thermal FLIR Cameras, however, is ideal for video analytics as it is immune to changing light. When properly installed, one thermal camera with Infiniti’s video analytics can cover up to 5km of perimeter with an extremely low false alarm rate.
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of the M7X UNCOOLED LONG RANGE
LWIR EOIR PTZ IMAGING SYSTEM
Continuous Zoom Thermal Infrared Imaging Germanium optical Lenses
Continuous zoom LWIR and MWIR Thermal Imaging Lenses are the most desirable format of PTZ FLIR imaging, they smoothly zoom continuously from a wide field of view (WFOV) all the way up to narrow field of view (NFOV). SPI’s cooled and uncooled M7 optics are made of the finest Germanium lenses which are hardened and coated to give you the cleanest thermal infrared image. The M7 Germanium lenses are fast precision optics that produce the cleanest and clearest most sensitive thermal image.
M7 PTZ Thermal Imaging Multi Sensor camera system connectivity
The M7 is extremely easy to install, The unit if fully universal and has Serial data and analog video outputs, connecting to Ethernet, IP or any standard wired or wireless network is simple, due to the M7 non proprietary outputs. Many commercially available off the shelf modules are also available that interconnect to the M7 for custom or exotic installs.
Benefits
Affordable low cost solution to long range day/night imaging, incorporating the best quality, highest grade materials that are made to last.
Detect objects, vehicles, persons or incidents even in complete darkness and make it impossible for individuals to hide in shadows or blend in against complex backgrounds.
Do not demand any additional light sources and handles many difficult weather conditions including smoke, haze and dust.
Cannot be blinded by strong lights or put out of order using laser pointers, etc.
Are available as out-of-the-box outdoor-ready products for cost-effective installation & complement many network video installations.
Require minimized storage and bandwidth due to support for industry-standard video compression techniques such as Motion JPEG and H.264.
Are ideal for intelligent video and typically offer higher accuracy in analytics than conventional cameras, because they are immune to light conditions and normal shadows. The cameras offer video motion detection, active tampering alarm, and provide capacity for third-party analytics modules, including support for COTS Camera Application Platform.
Support Power over Ethernet to supply power to the camera via the network, eliminating the need for power cables and reducing installation costs.
Include the industry-standard open interface which ensures support for the market’s broadest range of video management systems.
The M7 Can be custom configured with Ultra long range optics for extreme distance detection ranges such as:
5 KM Kilometer Detection Ranges
10 KM Kilometer Detection Ranges
15 KM Kilometer Detection Ranges
20 KM Kilometer Detection Ranges
25 KM Kilometer Detection Ranges
30 KM Kilometer Detection Ranges
35 KM Kilometer Detection Ranges
40 KM Kilometer Detection Ranges
45 KM Kilometer Detection Ranges
50 KM Kilometer Detection Ranges
55 KM Kilometer Detection Ranges
60 KM Kilometer Detection Ranges
VEHICLE, LARGE VESSEL AND AIRCRAFT DETECTION RANGES IN EXCESS OF 50 KM KILOMETERS.
Like any other camera, a thermal or thermographic flir imaging camera collects electromagnetic radiation which is formed into an image. But while a conventional cmos/ccd, tv, eo or ccd/cctv cameras works in the range of visible light, i.e. with wavelengths between approximately 400 and 700 nanometers (0.4–0.7 μm), a thermal imaging flir camera is designed to detect radiation with greater wavelengths, up to around 14,000 nanometers (14 μm). Radiation in this part of the electromagnetic spectrum is referred to as infrared, or commonly IR, which in turn can be divided into several sub-groups. Near-infrared light has a wavelength of about 0.7–1.5 µm, which is just beyond what the human eye can see. Camera sensors, on the other hand, can be built to detect and make use of this type of radiation. A so-called day-and-night camera uses an IR-cut filter during daytime to filter out IR-light so it will not distort the colors of images as perceived by the human eye. When the camera is in night mode, the IR-cut filter is removed. Since the human eye is unable to see infrared light the camera displays the image in black and white. Near infrared light or NIR also requires some kind of light source – either natural, such as moonlight, or man-made, such as street lights or a dedicated IR-lamp.
Additional functionality from the M7 Provides an optioanl 16:9 wide screen video that shows more of the important part of the scene and fits well on modern screens. The M7 thermal imaging camera is equipped with powerful continuous optical zoom capability on the thermal image. It offers excellent situational awareness but also the possibility to zoom-in, and see more detail, once a target has been detected. This way operators can see farther recognize more detail and react more quickly to security threats. The advantage of continuously zooming compared to other systems that are using a rotating lens system is that there is no switch or swapping between the different images. You can gradually zoom in while keeping your focus all the time. The unit has quick auto focus & has a plethora of upgradeability options to make sure the system stays current with your evolving surveillance network.
Moving further away from visible light, the rest of the IR-spectrum is usually divided into the following categories: Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR), approx. 1 – 3 µm Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR), approx. 3 – 5 µm Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR), approx. 8 – 12 µm Very Long-Wave Infrared (VLWIR), approx. 12 – 25 µm Far-Wave Infrared (FWIR), approx. 25 µm – 1 000 µm or 1 mm Note that there is a gap between 5 µm (MWIR) and 8 µm (LWIR). This part of the waveband is virtually unusable for thermal imaging purposes because of the high spectral absorption of the atmosphere in this range. Microwaves have a wavelength exceeding 1 mm. At the far end of the spectrum are radio waves, with a wavelength of 1 meter and more. In the other end of the spectrum, wavelengths shorter than those of visible light are successively referred to as ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays.
An object’s thermal radiation is also dependent on its temperature – the hotter it is the more thermal radiation it emits. Humans cannot see this, but we can sense it, for example, when we approach a camp fire or enter a sauna. The greater the temperature difference in a scene, the clearer will the thermal flir images will be. Furthermore, some materials will have a different emissivity in the mid-wave infrared spectrum than in the long-wave span. For imaging purposes these differences in emissivity are, for the most part, of secondary importance since the camera’s sensitivity can be defined as its capability to distinguish between temperature differentials. Thermal images are sometimes associated with bright, intense colors – which may seem a bit odd considering that the camera works outside the spectrum of visible light. The answer is that the colors are created digitally, so-called pseudo-colors but produce a very vivid crisp useable picture. Each color or nuance represents a different temperature, usually white and red for higher temperatures, over green, blue and violet for colder ones. The reason is foremost practical since the human eye is better at distinguishing different shades of color than different shades of grey. Detectors used for thermal imaging can be broadly divided into two types: Cooled thermal imagers that typically operate in the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) band and uncooled thermal imagers that operate in the long-wave infrared (LWIR) range. Cooled and uncooled systems both have thier advantages in the world of thermal imaging applications.
With PTZ or pan / tilt / zoom thermal imaging becoming relatively cheaper and an integral part of Short, medium, long and extreme ultra long range Surveillance, security, observation systems, a whole range of uses becomes both possible and economically viable. Thermal flir PTZ cameras can be an excellent complement in many situations where conventional cameras diminish thier performance as low light levels are present. They are, of course, unparalleled in a situation of twilight, thermal cross-over, near darkness and total darkness. They can also be an option in areas that are very difficult to illuminate effectively, for example a sea front, a harbor, or any other vast expanse of open water thus making SPI’s PTZ thermal infrared imaging Ir cameras paramount for use in marine, boat, vessel and ship applications. Similarly, artificial light not only runs the risk of revealing where the cameras are placed, enabling parties to avoid or vandalize them, but can also create projected shadows in which an intruder can avoid detection. Furthermore, spotlights can blind as well as illuminate. So cameras that do not rely on light can be the preferred solution in many different traffic situations, whether it is in railway tunnels, on air strips, runways, or on regular streets. Thermal flir PTZ cameras, on the other hand, cannot be blinded by bright lights or laser beams.
SPI Corp’s long range multi sensor Eoir flir thermal imaging camera systems offer substantial long distance detection ranges allowing the operator to be positioned at very far distant standoff locations offering ample time to react, to threats or targets of interest. Long range imaging systems provide a benefit to the user when coupled with an array of sensors and geo locating modules especially in specialty military, security and surveillance applications. The farther you are, the more time you have to react and not be seen.
APPLICATIONS;
Military combat surveillance applications
FOB perimeter/critical facility infrastructure, high value security
Border / frontier patrol & security
Security and surveillance
Law Enforcement
Drone/UAV/UAS/SUAS Detection
IED Detection
Critical facility security (power stations, prisons, government offices)
Mobile, mast or tripod mounted for sea & land monitoring
Vehicle safety applications (railways, mines, heavy equipment)
Cruise ship man overboard detection & rescue
Land & sea security, search & rescue operations
Border//Frontier/Shoreline/Coast/Runway/Airstrip/Tripod/Radar Applicable
Laser IR Diode illuminators available in a variety of ranges from short/medium, long and ultra extreme long range
Military/Law Enforcement/Serach and Rescue/Coastal/Frontier/Border + DEA & SWAT applications
Windows or MAC software compatibility
Remote operation with Ethernet, ip, fiber, solar, wireless, microwave gps and compass radar compatible slew to cue, slew to alert and alarm detection
Software development kit (SDK) for customized functionality / command and control
Cooled thermal camera systems are the clear choice for long range imaging. This is due to the highly sensitive FPA technology they employ. Typically, a cooled thermal camera will utilize either InSb or MCT sensor materials. These are very good materials for a thermal array in the 3-5 micron range. However, Focal Plane Arrays made from these materials do require cryogenic cooling in order to function at their peak performance level. That is why they are called “cooled thermal camera” systems. But, when these exotic sensor materials are combined with an appropriate cooling system, the result is a thermal imaging system that boasts MRTD’s on the order of 20mk or less. In practical terms this equates to 3-4 times the sensitivity of uncooled thermal camera systems. The sensitivity of cooled sensors, allows us to use much smaller lenses (f/4-f/5.5). It follows that, given a certain envelope of space, we can fit a much longer focal length lens into a cooled thermal camera design than any other technology would allow. When ultimate distance matters, long range cooled thermal camera systems are the only option.
Cooled Thermal Camera Sensor Types
Exotic materials are used to produce the focal plane array sensors that are used in cooled thermal cameras. The most common are Indium Antimonide (InSb) and Mercury Cadmium Telluride (HgCdTe).
InSb
The InSb (commonly referred to as Ins-Bee or reticulated insb) sensor material is a narrow gap semiconductor in crystaline form. It is sensitive to wavelengths of 1µm to 5µm but is typically filtered, in cooled thermal camera systems, to 3µm to 5µm. InSb detectors have long been the leading choice for imaging systems that feature long range thermal optics. It is a reliable and mature sensor technology that is manufactured in various countries around the world. The InSb detector does require cryogenic cooling to operate at peak efficiency and produce a usable thermal image. In the past ,this was accomplished by a dewar that needed to be filled with Liquid Nitrogen. The dewars are long gone. Now,highly efficient cryo coolers manage the task of cooling down to ~80°K.
HgCdTe
The HgCdTe (commonly referred to as MCT or Mer-Cad) sensor material is a narrow direct bandgap zincblende. MCT sensors are tuned to operate in wavelengths from 1µm all the way to 14µm. They are a versatile sensor material. Unlike InSb sensors, MCT sensors produce cooled thermal camera systems that access both atmospheric transmission windows of 3µm to 5µm and 7µm to 14µm. Most people think of cooled cameras as always being MWIR (3µm-5µm). MCT materials produce a cooled thermal camera that is MWIR or LWIR (7µm to 14µm). MCT focal plane arrays also require cryogenic cooling to ~80°K.
HOT HgCdTe (The New Kid On The Block)
Hot MCT is a relatively new technology utilizing Mer Cad based sensors. The new “HOT” sensors operate at warmer temperatures than the InSb and traditional HgCdTe chips. Instead of cooling to 80°K the HOT MCT only needs to be cooled to 160°K. In practical terms this greatly reduces the load on the cryo cooler. This creates a cooled thermal camera that starts up faster, has a longer cooler lifespan and uses less power. This is fantastic for SWaP efforts. The Hot MCT is a new development that is very promising but only time will tell if it proves to be the future of cooled thermal.
In conclusion, cooled thermal camera systems incorporate different sensor materials but offer distinct advantages when used in long range and ultra long range thermal imaging platforms. The key is the increased sensitivity and smaller lens sizes. Next time, we will discuss lens options for your cooled thermal camera.
Examples of systems using the above technology. This is only a partial list of whats possible with cooled thermal imaging. Review the site for more options or contact us to discuss thermal imaging. Thats what we do here. Make sure you tune in next time for a complete review of lens and optical systems for long range thermal camera systems.
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