I'm using a FLIR P40 camera for measuring power amplifiers.  I don't
have the firewire connection so I cannot tell you how labview could
integrate with it.  They are very, very expensive BTW.  This unit was
about $30k.  For another 5k I believe you get better software and the
firewire connection.  Mikron or Micron (I forgot whether a "c" or a "k"
in the spelling of their name also has a good equivalent camera to the
FLIR but FLIR's software is much easier to work with.  I had salesmen
from both companies into our facility to show us the benefits of each of
their cameras.  I have been very please with the ease of use of the FLIR
camera and software.  Believe me, you do not want a complicated camera
to work with.  I have used very complicated ones and you always ended up
doubting your measurements because of the complexity of the software
switches.

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Behalf Of Charles Lasnier
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 4:07 PM
To: Info-LabVIEW Mailing List
Subject: Infrared Cameras


Simon,
      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
>


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