It seems like there is a new model of IR camera on the market every couple of weeks from someone. Most IR cameras are about 320 x 240 pixels, and a few are 640 x 480. You need to figure out exactly what size object you need to resolve and whether this is enough pixels if used to view your large target- from your description I doubt it. IR cameras are available from a lot of companies including FLIR, Indigo (now part of FLIR), Electrophysics, Raytheon and others.
It also depends on the temperature of your target, the minimum temperature difference you need to detect, and the type of material which will determine the emissivity. The cooler it is, the more you require longer-wavelength sensitivity, such as 8-12 microns. If it is very hot, the target will emit sufficient infrared around 1 micron. Ordinary CCD cameras with no filter have some sensitivity at that wavelength, and larger pixel counts are available. In many cameras there is a serial port for camera control but it is not usually used for downloading images. You most likely will need an analog or digital frame grabber.
It's hard to make a recommendation without knowing more details about your problem and the money you are willing to spend. Do you need to measure actual temperatures, or just find hot spots? "Radiometric" cameras which put out temperatures are more expensive.
-Charles Lasnier
Subject: Infrared Cameras From: "simon kelly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2004 20:45:43 +0100 (BST)
Does anybody have any suggestions for an infrared camera that can scan large areas (2m*3m) with good resolution and serial comms?
Thanks in advance
Simon
