Configuration And Control - FLIR SR-100 Installation And Operation Manual

While the imagery you will see on the monitor may at first look similar to ordinary black and
white daylight video, as you get familiar with the camera you will appreciate the characteristics
that make thermal imaging distinct. A few tips on how to interpret some of the imagery will help
you to make the most of your system.
The thermal imager inside the camera does not sense light like conventional cameras; it senses
heat or temperature differences. As you experiment with the system during daylight and
nighttime operation, you will notice differences in the picture quality; this is normal. The camera
senses small "differences" in apparent radiation from the objects in view, and, in white hot
mode, displays them as either white (or lighter shades of gray) for warmer objects, and black (or
darker shades of gray) for colder objects.
Your thermal imaging camera relies on the fact that all objects, even very cold objects like ice,
emit thermal energy in the portion of the infrared spectrum that this camera can "see", the long
wave infrared (LWIR). Therefore, unlike an illuminated infrared camera, a thermal imaging
camera does not need an additional active illumination source and images based on directly
radiated rather than reflected energy.
This is why you will see hot objects such as exhaust stacks or vehicle engines that appear white
(or black, or red depending on the video image mode selected), while the puddles of water and
other cold objects appear dark (or cool). Scenes with familiar objects will be easy to interpret
with some experience. The camera automatically optimizes the image to provide you with the
best contrast in most conditions.
FLIR Systems, Inc. offers a comprehensive selection of training courses to help you to get the
best performance and value from your thermal imaging camera. You can find out more at the
FLIR training web page: http://www.flir.com/training.

7.3 Configuration and Control

Through a serial communications interface, there are various settings available to the user in
order to optimize image quality for particular applications. These settings are accessible using a
standard serial cable (refer to the appropriate installation section for cable pinouts). Note: The
SR-Series cameras come pre-configured for either RS-232 or RS-422 communication from the
factory and, with the exception of the SR-100 and SR-100P models, the installer may change
3
the protocol via a DIP switch .
In addition to these configuration settings which are typically set at the time of installation, the
SR-100 and SR-100P have an electronically controlled focus mechanism for use during ongoing
operation. This focus mechanism is also controlled through the serial interface.
The SR-Series may be controlled by a PC running a Windows-based software application. One
software application (known as the TVIS-7 PC User Interface Software) is used for the SR-100
and SR-100P cameras. For information on how to use the software, refer to the section 11.0
SR-100 Control Using TVIS-7 User Interface. Another application (known as the Photon GUI) is
used for the other cameras. For information on how to use the software, refer to the user guide
included with the software. The software user manual and software updates are also available
from the FLIR Core By Indigo web site: http://www.corebyindigo.com/products/core_photon.cfm.
3 The Serial protocol is not user configurable on the SR-100 and SR-100P cameras.
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