The Need for Speed
High speed, high resolution infrared cameras can be key to improving design phase testing
The need for stop motion infrared data on fast-moving or dynamic targets is a particular challenge for researchers and requires thermal cameras that can do more than achieve high frame rates.
True high speed infrared imaging requires fast integration times—down to just microseconds—in addition to the ability to achieve thousands of frames per second. The latest generations of research and development cameras make it possible to perform dynamic analysis of jet engine turbine blades, supersonic projectiles, explosions, and more, without losing areas of the frame to windowing.
Consider the needs of the automotive industry: product research and development on internal combustion engines, brake rotors and tires, and high speed airbags are just a few of the areas that truly benefit from thermal characterization.
Unfortunately, traditional forms of contact temperature measurement such as thermocouples are not practical to mount on moving objects, and non-contact forms of temperature measurement such as spot guns—or even consumer-level thermal cameras—are simply not fast enough to stop motion on these high speed targets.
Without the appropriate tools for adequate thermal measurement and testing, automotive design engineers can lose time and efficiency, and risk missing defects that lead to dangerous products and expensive recalls.
For example, US automakers had to recall millions of cars, SUVs, and trucks due to faulty airbags with problems ranging from micro-cracks in passenger activation systems to defective inflators.
A handheld thermal camera would not offer the frame rates or integration speed needed to collect relevant data on temperature changes in systems such as heated car seats.
These flawed systems are not only dangerous to drivers, but also harmful to the bottom line for manufacturers, who face lawsuits, fines, and loss of public confidence.
Next generation infrared camera technologies may offer engineers a solution. These cameras incorporate 640 x 512 to 1280 × 1024 pixel resolution detectors that can capture full-frame images at up to 1004 Hz.
FLIR's line of X6980-HS and X8580-HS science cameras offer indium antimonide (InSb) detectors for mid-wave infrared applications or Strained Layer Superlattice (SLS) detectors for longwave imaging. When programmed to synchronize and trigger remotely, these technologies give engineers and technicians the tools they need to address the difficulties of high speed automotive testing.
FLIR X6980-HS and X8580-HS high-speed, high-definition infrared cameras offer unmatched data streaming capabilities and on-board recording, guaranteeing zero dropped frames.
This thermal video was recorded with a high-speed FLIR MWIR science-grade infrared camera, which can capture full-frame imagery at up to 1004 frames per second.
Camera Integration Speeds
Integration time is analogous to shutter speed in a digital camera. If the shutter stays open too long, any motion in the image it captures, such as a hummingbird's wings, will appear blurred. In the same way, IR cameras with long integration times will record blurred motion.
The ability to process pixels at high speed is also important. High speed IR cameras typically have processing speeds—or pixel clock rates—of at least 200 MP/sec. Most low performance cameras have four channels and run at pixel clock rates below 50 MP/sec.
The temperature of your target can have an impact on integration speed, and ultimately, the digital count. The camera converts digital counts into radiance values used for the temperature readings on your target. Hotter targets emit more radiant infrared energy, thus more photons, while colder targets emit fewer photons. The challenge becomes how to accurately measure temperature on colder targets at fast frame rates, because fast frame rates require shorter integration times.
Compounding the issue is the fact that older detectors—with previous generation Read Out Integrating Circuits (ROIC)—were non-linear at low well fills. This caused the Non-Uniformity Correction to work poorly at low signal levels, resulting in poor imagery and questionable temperature measurement accuracy.
Now with the next generation ROIC designs, detectors offer linearity to low well fill, allowing for accurate measurements at high speeds (short integration times) on colder targets. This is why it is critical for high speed infrared camera to have a next generation ROIC with linear response to low well fill.
This thermal video showing the explosion of a Tannerite-filled watermelon was recorded with a high-speed FLIR MWIR science-grade infrared camera.
Finally, it's important to consider the speed at which you're collecting and transmitting data.
The latest science-grade, high speed thermal cameras offer triggering and synchronization to ensure precise start and stop times during data capture. For example, the FLIR X-Series-HS has proprietary electronics with dedicated trigger input. This advanced triggering, sync, and IRIG time stamping on each image frame optimizes data accuracy and increases testing efficiency.
Streaming high-resolution thermal data can put a strain on systems; you may lose frames of data in favor of a higher streaming speed. Cameras such as the FLIR X-Series HS can stream full-frame rate thermal imagery and data to a computer over 10 GigE, CXP 2.1 or CameraLink Full without dropping any frames. These cameras also include a 4 TB, removable solid-state drive for extended high-speed recording—saving more than 1.5 hours of data with zero dropped frames.
Why choose a FLIR X6980-HS or X8580-HS?
The X6980-HS InSb MWIR and X6980-HS SLS LWIR cameras offer the speed and sensitivity needed in the most demanding thermal analysis scenarios. Advantages include:
- Simplified setup when recording directly to a PC with the latest 10 GigE, CXP 2.1, and CameraLink Full high-speed interfaces.
- Direct recording to the removable 4 TB solid-state drive (SSD) for extended periods of time at the fastest frame rate without dropping any frames.
- Custom-designed lenses enable more precise and remote focus adjustments.
- Full integration with Research Studio for enhanced camera and image control.
