Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023 - PIT-8

Thermal Imaging Camera Modules
are generally larger, heavier, and more
power-hungry. In addition to sacrificing
SWaP (size, weight, and power), cooled
cameras are significantly more expensive
and subject to mechanical wear and tear
that reduces the mean time to failure
(MTTF) of the camera, as cryocoolers
have moving parts with extremely tight
mechanical tolerances that degrade over
time, as well as helium gas that can slowly
Image Captured at T=0 minutes Image Captured at T=2 minutes
Thermal
Camera with
20 mK
sensitivity
Thermal
Camera with
50 mK
sensitivity
leak through seals. Based on lifetime tests
and Weibull analysis, the estimated mean
time to failure (MTTF) of the Teledyne
FLIR FL-100 cryocooler has increased
from approximately 17,000 hours at
prototype introduction to approximately
27,000 hours for current production
units with a target lifetime of greater than
30,000 hours. This is still significantly lower
than the current LWIR camera MTTF.
Recent improvements in uncooled
thermal sensors have brought sensitivity
to better than 20 mK - a drastic improvement
in sensitivity versus legacy systems,
potentially making uncooled LWIR cameras
a viable option for various new applications.
Although tempting, it is essential
to note that uncooled IR thermal
cameras cannot simply replace cooled
thermal cameras. Product developers
and system integrators need to consider
additional requirements regarding imaging
speed, spatial resolution, spectral
filtering, and more.
This article was written by Dan Walker,
Figure 4: 20 mK versus 50 mK sensitive thermal sensors of a handprint at time zero and two minutes.
Vice President, Product Management,
Teledyne FLIR. For more information,
please visit www.flir.com.
8
Photonics & Imaging Technology, November 2023

http://www.flir.com http://info.hotims.com/84485-704

Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023

Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023 - Intro
Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023 - Sponsor
Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023 - Cov1
Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023 - Cov2
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Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023 - Cov3
Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023 - Cov4
Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023 - PIT-Cov1
Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023 - PIT-Cov2
Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023 - PIT-1
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Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023 - PIT-Cov3
Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2023 - PIT-Cov4
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