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Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This document and data disclosed herein or herewith is not to be reproduced, used, or disclosed in whole or in part to anyone without the written permission of FLIR Systems, Inc. Diversion contrary to US law is prohibited.
2.7 Software Accessory SDK for Windows & Embedded ........ 2-4 3 Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI 3.1 Operation of the Tau 640 Camera using the USB Interface ....... 3-1 3.2 Remote control of the Tau 640 Camera ..........3-3 3.3 Installing the FLIR Camera Controller GUI ..........
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B.6 Description of Serial Commands ............B-12 Appendix C Tau 640 with Photon Accessories C.1 Operation of the Tau 640 camera using the Photon Accessory Kit ....C-1 C.2 Remote control of the Tau 640 camera ..........C-2 C.3 Connecting the serial communications interface using the development kit ...C-2 Appendix D Mechanical IDD Reference Sheet 1 Tau 640 Camera Mechanical Interface Control Document WFOV ..
(RS-232) for transmitting camera commands and receiving status. The Tau 640 camera also provides 8-bit and 14-bit digital data options, including CMOS, BT.656, and the Legacy Photon LVDS—See “Tau 640 Digital Data Channel” on page 4-1.
The Tau 640 camera is available with different lenses providing different fields of view. An export license is required in order for international customers to purchase faster frame rate versions of the Tau 640 camera. US customers can specify the 30 Hz (25 Hz) versions of the Tau 640 camera.
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Tau 640 User’s Manual 1—Introduction TAU-0640-00-10, version 110 June 2011...
Tau 640 Specifications An export license is required in order for international customers to purchase faster frame rate versions of the Tau 640 camera. US customers can specify the 30 Hz (25 Hz) versions of the Tau 640 camera. The latest information concerning specifications, accessories, camera configurations, and other information can be found in the Tau 640 Thermal Imaging Camera Core Data Sheet at: www.flir.com/cvs/cores/uncooled/products/tau/tau640/.
1—Introduction Unpacking Your Tau 640 Camera The Tau 640 camera is typically delivered as a component part for incorporation into an original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) product; no documentation is included. Documentation and utilities such as the latest version of this User’s Manual, the FLIR Camera Controller GUI, and Mechanical Interface Description Documents are available for download from www.flir.com/...
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1—Introduction Tau 640 User’s Manual June 2011 TAU-0640-00-10, version 110...
Figure 2-2: Tau 640 VPC Module Installed on a Tau 640 camera The Tau 640 camera with the VPC module is powered with a nominal draw of 212 mA at 5VDC and a peak startup draw of 550 mA. The camera uses serial communication at either 57600 or 921600 Baud by creating a virtual COM Port on your computer for USB communications.
Figure 2-3: Tau 640 Camera Link Module Installed on a Tau 640 camera The Tau 640 camera with the Camera Link module is powered with a nominal draw of 270 mA at 5VDC and a peak startup draw of 550 mA. The camera uses serial communication at either 57600 or 921600 Baud by creating a virtual COM Port on your computer for USB communications.
421-0042-00 Type 2 - 025 O-ring (not included) The locking ring is designed to mount a Tau 640 WFOV camera into a bulkhead. The M29 x 1.0 thread on the outside of the lens mount flange is placed through the clearance hole in the bulkhead and the o-ring seals the camera to the face.
The original factory calibration file can be restored if necessary, and the customer can actually build a library of lens calibration files for a Tau 640 camera. All OEM customers who add their own lenses to Tau 640 should use this program for optimal image performance.
Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI Operation of the Tau 640 Camera using the USB Interface The Tau 640 VPC Module and Camera Link Module are USB interfaces for the camera to provide power and serial communication for more advanced camera command and control via the free downloadable FLIR Camera Controller GUI.
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Camera Link Frame Grabber and software. The FLIR Camera Controller allows you to control the Tau Camera, but does not support Camera Link frame capture so that a third-party software must be used. FLIR has tested the ImperX FrameLink Express frame grabber (http://imperx.com/frame-grabbers/framelink-...
The FLIR Camera Controller GUI is offered as a free download from FLIR using a Windows based PC with a standard USB port. This software provides remote control of various camera features and modes.
Installing the FLIR Camera Controller GUI Step 1 If you have another version of the FLIR Camera Controller GUI loaded on your PC, you should uninstall it using the Windows Uninstall utility via the Windows Control Panel before proceeding with this installation. This is an important step as camera malfunction is possible if you do not remove any older versions of Tau 640 (or Omega/Micron/A10) software.
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Tau 640 User’s Manual 3—Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI Step 9 Select a Destination Folder if different than the default. Then, click Next>>. Step 10 Review the settings you have entered for this installation. Then, click Install Step 11 Once installation is complete, click Finish.
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3—Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI Tau 640 User’s Manual Step 12 The CP210x_VCP...setup.exe USB driver installer will start at this point. Click Next> at the Setup Welcome screen. When the installer finishes loading. Follow the prompts to finish the installation.
The FLIR Camera Controller GUI remembers the last COM port that successfully communicated with a Tau 640 camera and will use that port as the default when the application starts. If the connected camera is no longer on that port, the port setting pop-up window will appear asking for you to select the proper port setting.
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3—Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI Tau 640 User’s Manual Step 3 Connect to your camera by selecting Connect from the Camera menu. Step 4 If you want the FLIR Camera Controller GUI to automatically connect when it is started,...
Tau 640 User’s Manual 3—Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI Troubleshooting the FLIR Camera Controller GUI If the FLIR Camera Controller GUI does not link with the camera, you may see the popup shown at the right which indicates that the GUI has not been able to communicate with the Tau 640 camera.
Tau 640 User’s Manual Operation of the FLIR Camera Controller GUI When the FLIR Camera Controller GUI successfully links to the camera, you will see the window shown below. At the bottom of the application window, you should see Camera and FPA status.
Tau 640 User’s Manual 3—Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI Setup Tab The Setup tab, shown below, provides the ability to do the following: Modify the Flat Field Correction (FFC) Set the External Sync mode Freeze the video via the Operating Mode section...
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(33ms NTSC, 40ms PAL), with valid values in the range 0 to 30,000 frames. The second set of Auto FCC parameters labeled Low Gain apply to Tau 640-P cameras with the auto gain switch enabled. Note FLIR recommends using the factory default values for the two automatic-FFC parameters if possible.
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Maximum external sync input rates are up to 29.980 Hz for NTSC and 27.25 Hz for PAL. The ‘Slow Video’ versions of the Tau 640 camera will have the same external sync frame rates, but the image data output will be at 1/4 the rate (NTSC) or 1/3 the rate (PAL).
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= 16383 pix(384,25) = 0 Figure 3-5: Ramp test pattern example for Top Portion of Tau 640 Ramp Image (Digital values shown apply to the optional 14-bit digital data stream.) The above ramp pattern repeats 19 times in the complete 640 × 512 image.
Tau 640 User’s Manual 3—Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI Analog Video Tab The Analog Video tab on the FLIR Camera Controller GUI, shown below, provides the ability to modify Tau 640 camera modes: Image Orientation Dynamic Digital Detail Enhancement (DDE) Pan &...
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This digitally simulates panning and tilting. Panning and tilting are defined as moving the camera image in the horizontal and vertical axes, respectively. The FLIR Camera Controller GUI Pan and Tilt limits are ±80 × ±60; and ±40 × ±30 when in the Fine range.
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Tau 640 User’s Manual 3—Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI Flat-Field Correction (FFC): The Tau 640 automatically performs flat-field corrections (see paragraph “Flat-Field-Correction Mode:” on page 3-12). A green square is displayed on your video monitor as a warning that the FFC is going to take place.
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3—Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI Tau 640 User’s Manual Polarity/LUT: The Tau 640 camera detects and images the temperatures in a given scene. Within the camera, these temperatures are mapped (as determined by the AGC algorithm selected) to a range of 0 to 255 values.
3—Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI Digital Video Tab Tau 640 offers a LVDS interface digital output that can be configured in four modes. Changing these modes will have no effect on the analog (NTSC or PAL) signal. In order to access the digital output, you must use an advanced interface as described in Chapter 4, Tau 640 Digital Data Channel.
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See “Tau 640 Digital Data Channel” on page 4-1. XP Mode Select The Tau 640 camera has 18 XP pins on the 50-pin Hirose connector. The XP mode uses a number of these pins to output parallel digital image data.
FLIR Camera Controller GUI displays them as 8-bit images with linear AGC applied.) The Tau 640 camera allows the user to save either 8-bit or 14 bit images. To save an 8-bit images in a .bmp format, click the Save Currently Displayed Image button.
Also, be aware that you can make AGC adjustments that will configure the Tau 640 camera to produce no image (all black or all white). Restoring the Factory Defaults on the Setup Tab will return the camera to its factory default state and likely restore normal camera operation.
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Tau 640 User’s Manual 3—Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI AGC Modes: The Tau 640 provides five AGC algorithms for Image-Optimization: Automatic: This is the most sophisticated algorithm and for most imaging situations, the best all-around choice. This factory default along with the default parameter settings should be used in general imaging situations.
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3—Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI Tau 640 User’s Manual Linear Histogram: Image contrast and brightness (gain and level) optimized automatically based upon scene statistics using a linear transfer function. Controls for the ITT Mean (sets grey scale midpoint) and Max Gain (AGC gain) are adjustable by entering the value in the Automatic Parameters section.
3.12 ROI Tab The Tau 640 camera allows the user to set a Region of Interest (ROI) or a rectangle of pixels on the sensor array that the AGC algorithm will use for its calculations. The ROI can be set for either the entire frame size (0,0 : 640,512) or some smaller portion as shown below.
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3—Basic Operation of the Tau 640 and GUI Tau 640 User’s Manual Window Editor: Use the mouse to drag the green ROI rectangle to any location on the FPA. The size of the ROI rectangle (in pixels) is displayed. To change the size of the ROI rectangle, drag one of the corner or side bubbles.
0 - 3.3 V CMOS logic and are intended to drive boards mounted directly to the Tau 640 camera. The BT.656 output is not intended to drive a cable. Table 4-1 shows the connector pin definitions with BT.656 enabled. Also shown in the table are the optional discrete input pins.
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4—Tau 640 Digital Data Channel Tau 640 User’s Manual 1716 clocks @ 27MHz = 63.55us/line H Control Signal 63.55us/line x 525 lines = 29.97 ms/frame Start of digital line Start of digital active line EAV Code 4 clocks 268 clocks...
Note 3 This function is required for effective use of Shutterless Tau 640 cameras. The application of positive going edge to this pin shall perform the Do FFC function (0x12 command). Note 4 This pin is normally at 0 V and changes to 3.3 V when the FFC imminent icon is present on the analog display.
14-bit data. The signal levels are 0 - 3.3 V CMOS logic and are intended to drive XP-boards mounted directly to the Tau 640 camera. CMOS is not intended to drive a cable. An XP-board reference design is available upon request.
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Tau 640 User’s Manual 4—Tau 640 Digital Data Channel Note: Figure is not to scale. CLK duty cycle is 4/7. Data may be latched on the rising or falling edge of CLK 95.062 nsec (10.519 MHz) s_RE = 6/7 clock...
In order to use a Camera Link Module for acquisition of data, you will need to first enable the CMOS XP Bus Output using the FLIR Camera Controller. This option is found under Video => Digital Video. On this same page, you can select either 8-bit or 14-bit digital output. Once you make these changes, it is a good idea to save settings to make them power cycle consistent.
4—Tau 640 Digital Data Channel Photon Camera Legacy LVDS Output The Tau 640 camera provides a digital data channel that outputs camera data in a digital format compatible with FLIR Photon camera tools and accessories. This channel can be used in conjunction with commercially-available digital frame grabbers, digital displays, or custom electronics.
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Follow the steps in paragraph 3.1 “Operation of the Tau 640 Camera using the USB Interface” on page 3-1 for basic operation of the Tau 640 camera. After verifying that the camera is operating properly, disconnect power from the Tau 640 camera.
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Tau 640 User’s Manual 4—Tau 640 Digital Data Channel 4.5.2 Legacy LVDS Digital Data Channels The camera provides two digital ports. • Port 1 consists of the signals SD_CLK+, SD_FSYNC+, and SD_DATA1+, SD_DATA2. • Port 2 consists of the signals LVDS_VID1+, and LVDS_VID2+.
4—Tau 640 Digital Data Channel Tau 640 User’s Manual External Frame sync (not required) Idle time Idle time Frame time Row 0 Row 1 Row 511 Idle time Pixel 0,0 Pixel 0,1 Pixel 0,639 Line time Figure 4-5: Digital Data Format...
Overview of the Electrical Interface Input Power The Tau 640 camera operates from DC power per the specifications given below. It is common in simple operational scenarios to use an inexpensive wall-powered adapter. The Tau VPC module makes this easy by providing a USB connection.
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5—Overview of the Electrical Interface Tau 640 User’s Manual Table 5-2 below identifies the function of each pin on the standard surface mount mating connector, Hirose DF12-50DS-0.5V(86). 50-pin Hirose Connector Interface of the Camera Table 5-2: Tau 640 Pin #...
If you are creating a custom cable to carry the analog video signal from the Tau 640 camera to your monitoring or recording device, you should use 75 Ohm characteristic impedance coaxial cable and terminate into a 75 Ohm monitor.
Tau 640 User’s Manual Parallel Digital Data Channel The Tau 640 camera provides a digital parallel channel with real-time parallel digital video. The XP-Bus may be configured for either CMOS or BT.656 format. Information regarding the digital data interface is provided in Chapter 4.
Appendix A Pin-out Definitions I/O Module 333-0018-00 • Camera Connector: See Chapter 5. • Power Connector: Mates to Switchcraft S760 Miniature Power Plug. • Video Connector: Mates to 75Ω BNC twist-on plug. • Serial Connector: Mates to DB9 Male. • Digital Data Connector: Mates to Three-Row DB-15 Female. Table A-1: I/O Module Power Connector Pin-Out Pin # Signal Name...
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Appendix A—Pin-out Definitions Tau 640 User’s Manual Table A-4: I/O Module Digital Data Connector Pin-Out Pin # Signal Name Signal Definition DATA_SYNC+ Digital data sync (LVDS high) DATA1_OUT+ Digital data 1 output channel (LVDS high) DATA2_OUT+ Digital data 2 output channel (LVDS high)
Appendix B Serial Communication Technical Details Serial Communications Primary Interface The camera is capable of being controlled remotely through an asynchronous serial interface consisting of the signals named RX, TX, and GND using 3.3 volt signal levels. Note The camera is compatible with most RS232 drivers/receivers but does not implement signaling levels compliant with the RS232 standard voltage levels.
Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Tau 640 User’s Manual Table B-2: Serial Packet Protocol Byte # Upper Byte Comments Set to 0x6E on all valid incoming messages Process Code Set to 0x6E on all outgoing replies Status See Table B-3...
Tau 640 User’s Manual Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Function Byte The list of valid commands that can be set in the Function Byte is shown in Table B-4. For all reply messages, the camera will echo back the Function Byte of the previous incoming message.
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Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Tau 640 User’s Manual June 2011 TAU-0640-00-10, version 110...
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Tau 640 User’s Manual Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details TAU-0640-00-10, version 110 June 2011...
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Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Tau 640 User’s Manual June 2011 TAU-0640-00-10, version 110...
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Tau 640 User’s Manual Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details TAU-0640-00-10, version 110 June 2011...
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Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Tau 640 User’s Manual June 2011 TAU-0640-00-10, version 110...
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Tau 640 User’s Manual Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details TAU-0640-00-10, version 110 June 2011...
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Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Tau 640 User’s Manual B-10 June 2011 TAU-0640-00-10, version 110...
Tau 640 User’s Manual Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details B.4.1 Byte Count Bytes • On all incoming and outgoing messages, the Byte-Count Bytes are used to specify the total number of data bytes in the packet. Note The number of data bytes in the packet is not equal to the total number of bytes in the packet.
Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Tau 640 User’s Manual Description of Serial Commands B.6.1 Camera Defaults The RESET_FACTORY_DEFAULTS command sets the current settings to the factory default values. In order to save these values as power up defaults, it is necessary to do a SET_DEFAULTS command.
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Tau 640 User’s Manual Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details The DDE filter has an automatic mode that when activated controls the DDE Gain using a combination of the Dynamic DDE setting and the scene dynamic range. The valid range of the Dynamic DDE setting is from 1 to 63.
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Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Tau 640 User’s Manual B-14 June 2011 TAU-0640-00-10, version 110...
Backward compatibility with existing Photon equipment allows Photon users to connect to the Tau 640 camera to provide power and obtain video. It also facilitates serial communication for more advanced camera command and control via the free downloadable FLIR Camera Controller GUI.
The FLIR Camera Controller GUI software is compatible with Windows XP and Windows 7. The PC must have a spare serial communications port or you must use one of the Tau 640 USB accessories (VPC module or Camera Link module). High-speed communication (921600 Baud) is possible using the USB accessories.
Vacuum window 0.026” Silicon Focal Plane surface Datum, top of camera frame M2.0 x 0.4 Alignment holes Figure D-1: Focal Plane Dimensions and Relationships Figure D-2: Spectral Response Curve from a Typical Tau 640 Camera TAU-0640-00-10, version 110 June 2011...
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= .007 IMAGE PLANE TO MTG SURFACE & .005 MTG SURFACE TO FRONT OF LENS HOLDER Figure D-3: WFOV Lens Interface to Tau 640 Lensless Core DETAIL INFORMATION WFOV LENS INTERFACE The following Mechanical Description Documents detail the outline and mounting for the Tau 640 cameras.
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THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT PERTAINS TO A DUAL USE PRODUCT CONTROLLED FOR EXPORT BY THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS (EAR). FLIR TRADE SECRETS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS AS A MATTER OF LAW. DIVERSION CONTRARY TO US LAW IS PROHIBITED.
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THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT PERTAINS TO A DUAL USE PRODUCT CONTROLLED FOR .020 C B 1.181 EXPORT BY THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS (EAR). FLIR TRADE SECRETS CONTAINED HEREIN .010 C ARE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS AS A MATTER OF LAW. DIVERSION CONTRARY TO US LAW IS PROHIBITED.
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THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT PERTAINS TO A DUAL USE PRODUCT CONTROLLED FOR .020 C B 1.181 EXPORT BY THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS (EAR). FLIR TRADE SECRETS CONTAINED HEREIN .010 C ARE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS AS A MATTER OF LAW. DIVERSION CONTRARY TO US LAW IS PROHIBITED.
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THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT PERTAINS TO A DUAL USE PRODUCT CONTROLLED FOR EXPORT BY THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS (EAR). FLIR TRADE SECRETS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS AS A MATTER OF LAW. DIVERSION CONTRARY TO US LAW IS 2X M2x0.4 -6H...
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.100 THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT PERTAINS TO A DUAL USE PRODUCT CONTROLLED FOR EXPORT BY THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS (EAR). FLIR TRADE SECRETS CONTAINED HEREIN 2.54 ARE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS AS A MATTER OF LAW. DIVERSION CONTRARY TO US LAW IS PROHIBITED.
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THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT PERTAINS TO A DUAL USE PRODUCT CONTROLLED FOR EXPORT BY THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS (EAR). FLIR TRADE SECRETS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS AS A MATTER OF LAW. DIVERSION CONTRARY TO US LAW IS .100...
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THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT PERTAINS TO A DUAL USE PRODUCT CONTROLLED FOR EXPORT BY THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS (EAR). FLIR TRADE SECRETS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS AS A MATTER OF LAW. DIVERSION CONTRARY TO US LAW IS PROHIBITED.
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