FLIR Photon User Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. FLIR Manuals
  4. Security Camera
  5. Photon
  6. User manual

FLIR Photon User Manual

Uncooled microbolometer camera
Hide thumbs Also See for Photon:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Photon
User's Manual
TM
FLIR Inc.
70 Castilian Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
Phone: 888.747.FLIR (888.747.3547)
International: +1.805.964.9797
www.flir.com
www.corebyindigo.com
Document Number: 412-0035-00-10
Version: 110
Issue Date: February 2008

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Photon and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for FLIR Photon

Summary of Contents for FLIR Photon

  • Page 1 Photon User’s Manual FLIR Inc. 70 Castilian Drive Goleta, CA 93117 Phone: 888.747.FLIR (888.747.3547) International: +1.805.964.9797 www.flir.com www.corebyindigo.com Document Number: 412-0035-00-10 Version: 110 Issue Date: February 2008...
  • Page 2 © FLIR Inc., 2008. All rights reserved worldwide. No parts of this manual, in whole or in part, may be copied, photocopied, translated, or transmitted to any electronic medium or machine readable form without the prior written permission of FLIR Inc.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    3.3 Connecting the serial communications interface using the development kit .. 3-2 3.4 Installing the Photon GUI ..............3-3 3.5 Connecting the Photon to a PC via the I/O Module ........3-6 3.6 Troubleshooting the Photon GUI ............3-7 3.7 Operation of the Photon GUI ..............3-8 3.8 Camera Tab ..................
  • Page 4 Table of Contents Photon User’s Manual 6 Overview of the Photon Electrical Interface 6.1 Samtec 30-Pin Connector ..............6-1 6.2 D-Sub 15 Pin Connector ..............6-3 6.3 Input Power ..................6-4 6.4 Analog Video Output ................6-5 6.5 Command and Control Channel ............6-5 6.6 Digital Data Channel ................

  • Page 5: Introduction

    The Photon camera is an export controlled item. In order to increase the Camera’s exportability, a ‘Slow Video’ version of Photon is available. The frame rate is reduced to approximately 9 Hz. This change allows Photon to be exported without US export license to most countries.

  • Page 6: Photon Specifications

    • Dynamic Digital Detail Enhancement (DDE) Note: These specifications are subject to change without notice. The latest information concerning specifications, part numbers, accessories, camera configurations, and other information can be found in the Photon Thermal Imaging Camera Core Data Sheet at: http://www.corebyindigo.com/products/uncooledcores.cfm.

  • Page 7: Available Photon Configurations

    1—Introduction Available Photon Configurations The Photon is available with different lenses providing different fields of view and the ‘Slow Video’ or ‘9 Hz’ option for license-free exportability. The part numbers for each lens and video rate configuration are given in the table below.

  • Page 8: Unpacking Your Photon Camera

    Photon User’s Manual Unpacking Your Photon Camera The Photon camera is typically delivered as a standalone product. Typically, no documentation is included. Documentation and utilities such as the latest version of this User’s Manual, the Photon GUI, and Mechanical Interface Control Documents are available for download from the www.corebyindigo.com...

  • Page 9: Optional Photon Accessories

    This accessory kit includes a power supply, input/output module (interconnect box), wearsaver (simplifies connection to Photon), and cables to facilitate AC power in and analog video out for your Photon. With this accessory kit, the customer only needs to purchase a standard RS-232 COM cable in order to perform advanced configuration using the free downloadable Photon GUI.
  • Page 10 This accessory facilitates capture of the LVDS serial digital data channel from the Photon camera and mirrors it in a parallel format used with computer-based capture cards.
  • Page 11 Figure 2-4: Ethernet Module Kit (Part Number: 421-0025-00) This kit allows you to capture the Photon digital video output and transfer it to a viewing device (typically a PC) via a CAT5 cable using Ethernet Protocol. The Ethernet interface allows 14-bit digital video data capture (without Automatic Gain Control applied to the data) in both still images and sequences of images.

  • Page 12: Software Accessories

    CE Class A performance levels. The external I/O requires a 15-pin D-Sub connector. M3 x .125” (2 places) Figure 2-6: Tripod Adapter (Part Number 261-1357-00) Adapter attaches to Photon camera and provides standard 1/4-20 thread mount common to most tripod heads. Software accessories •...

  • Page 13: Basic Operation Of The Photon Camera And Gui

    Basic Operation of the Photon Camera and GUI Operation of the Photon camera using the development kit The Development Kit (or Accessory Kit) is the simplest way to connect to your Photon camera to provide power and obtain video. It also facilitates serial communication for more advanced camera command and control via the free downloadable Photon GUI.

  • Page 14: Remote Control Of The Photon Camera

    Document and their own hardware/software interface. This requires programming skills and a strong technical background. The user can also use the Photon GUI offered as a free download from FLIR using a Windows based PC with the standard serial communications and components provided in the Development Kit.

  • Page 15: Installing The Photon Gui

    Installing the Photon GUI Step 1 If you have another version of the Photon 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 Photon (or Omega/Micron/A10) software.
  • Page 16 3—Basic Operation of the Photon Camera and GUI Photon User’s Manual Step 10 Select the install options. If you plan on using the Ethernet Adapter Module, allowing digital communications with the Photon camera, you should select both options as shown. Then, click Next>.
  • Page 17 Photon User’s Manual 3—Basic Operation of the Photon Camera and GUI Step 13 If you selected Ethernet access using iPORT device in Step 10 above, you will see this screen. To support communication through the Ethernet Adapter Module you need to install PT1000-IDG iPORT support, click Yes to install now and refer to paragraph 4.2...

  • Page 18: Connecting The Photon To A Pc Via The I/O Module

    The Photon User GUI remembers the last COM port that successfully communicated with a Photon camera and will use that port as the default at start of the application. 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.

  • Page 19: Troubleshooting The Photon Gui

    3—Basic Operation of the Photon Camera and GUI Troubleshooting the Photon GUI If the Photon GUI does not link with the camera, verify the items in the following checklist: Is the camera properly cabled to the host PC? Verify that you selected the proper port if it was not detected automatically.

  • Page 20: Operation Of The Photon Gui

    Photon User’s Manual Operation of the Photon GUI When the Photon GUI successfully links to the camera, you will see the window shown below. The GUI provides five tabs allowing for camera control as described below. It also provides a text message across the bottom showing status information reported back from the camera after each command.

  • Page 21: Camera Tab

    Photon User’s Manual 3—Basic Operation of the Photon Camera and GUI Camera Tab The Camera tab, shown below, provides the ability to do the following: • Modify the Flat Field Correction (FFC) • Set the External Sync mode • Read the FPA Temperature Sensor •...
  • Page 22 (whichever comes first). When this mode is selected, input windows are available in the Photon GUI for specifying the temperature change and the number of frames that trigger automatic FFC. The temperature change is specified in degrees, with valid values in the range 0 to 100 in 0.1 degree increments.
  • Page 23 Photon camera will remember these saved settings. If you do not click Save Settings, the changes you make via the Photon GUI will be valid only for the current session. Cycling power to the camera will revert to the previously saved settings.
  • Page 24 3—Basic Operation of the Photon Camera and GUI Photon User’s Manual Test-Pattern: A Test-Pattern mode is provided to verify camera electronics. Off: No test-pattern is provided in this mode. This is the normal mode for viewing thermal imagery. Ramp: In this ramp mode, the test pattern shown below and in the Color/LUT section that follows is provided at the analog and digital data channels.

  • Page 25: Analog Video Tab

    Photon User’s Manual 3—Basic Operation of the Photon Camera and GUI Analog Video Tab The Analog Video tab on the Photon GUI, shown below, provides the ability to modify four different Photon modes: • Image Orientation • Pan & Zoom •...
  • Page 26 There are two methods to pan and tilt using the Photon GUI. You can adjust the vertical and horizontal sliders to move the zoomed array region or you can enter absolute offsets from the center to shift the zoomed array region.
  • Page 27 Photon User’s Manual 3—Basic Operation of the Photon Camera and GUI Polarity/LUT: The Photon camera detects and images the temperature in a given scene. Within the camera, these temperatures are mapped (mapping is determined by the AGC algorithm selected) to a range of 0 to 127 values. In a...
  • Page 28 3—Basic Operation of the Photon Camera and GUI Photon User’s Manual Dynamic Digital Detail Enhancement (DDE) filter: The DDE algorithm sets edge enhancement dynamically proportional to the number of bins occupied in the image histogram. In a high dynamic range scene the gain will be higher than in a low dynamic range scene.

  • Page 29: 3.10 Camera Agc Tab

    Also, be aware that you can make AGC adjustments that will configure the Photon camera to produce NO or all black image. Restoring the Factory Defaults on the Camera Tab will return the camera to its factory default state and likely restore normal camera operation.
  • Page 30 3—Basic Operation of the Photon Camera and GUI Photon User’s Manual AGC Mode: The Photon provides six AGC or Image-Optimization modes: 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.
  • Page 31 AGC mode. Region of Interest: The Photon 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.

  • Page 32: 3.11 Digital Video Tab

    Photon offers a LVDS interface digital output that can be configured in four modes. Changing these modes when will have no effect on the analog (NTSC or PAL) signal. In order to access the digital output, you will either be using an advanced interface described in the ‘Photon Digital Data Channel’ section.

  • Page 33: 3.12 About Tab

    3—Basic Operation of the Photon Camera and GUI The remaining controls and settings are specific to the Ethernet adapter accessory and are described in paragraph 4.5 “Using the Photon GUI with the Ethernet Adapter Module” on page 4-8. 3.12 About tab The About tab on the Photon GUI provides information on the Photon camera.
  • Page 34 3—Basic Operation of the Photon Camera and GUI Photon User’s Manual 3-22 February 2008 412-0035-00-10, version 110...

  • Page 35: Installing And Using The Ethernet Adapter Module

    PT1000-IDG for iPORT Ethernet support. If you did not add Ethernet support during installation of the Photon GUI you must first uninstall the Photon GUI. Use the Add/Remove Programs in the Windows Control Panel to remove the Indigo Photon GUI, then reinstall according to the procedure in paragraph 3.4 “Installing the...

  • Page 36: Installing Pt1000-Idg For Iport Ethernet Support

    Step 1 Navigate to the directory where you extracted the files for the Photon GUI. Open the folders Indigo_2.2_build_270_SP4, then Ethernet_Runtime. Double-click the file indigo 2.2.0 build 270 (SP4).exe, as shown below.
  • Page 37 Photon User’s Manual 4—Installing and Using the Ethernet Adapter Module Step 4 Select the default directory, then, click Next>. Step 5 Click Install. Step 6 When the following screen appears, uncheck Launch the Driver Installation Tool and click Finish. The software is installed.

  • Page 38: Configuring Your Pc's Network Interface Card (Nic)

    4—Installing and Using the Ethernet Adapter Module Photon User’s Manual Configuring your PC's network interface card (NIC) In this section, you will set the TCP/IP properties (IP address) of both your network interface card (NIC) and the ethernet adapter module so that they may communicate with each other.

  • Page 39: Configuring Your Ethernet Adapter Module

    Photon User’s Manual 4—Installing and Using the Ethernet Adapter Module Configuring your Ethernet Adapter Module Setting the IP Address: Use the following steps to set the IP address for your Ethernet Adapter Module. Step 1 From the Start menu, select the Ethernet Configurator for firmware 4.x as shown in the following figure.
  • Page 40 4—Installing and Using the Ethernet Adapter Module Photon User’s Manual Saving the Camera Configuration: In order to make your settings persist between sessions and power cycles you will need to export the device configuration file (.xml file) and set the device boot-up options. Follow the steps below.
  • Page 41 FLASH. Click OK, Close, and Exit. The configuration is complete. You can now operate the Photon GUI with the same functionality as described in Chapter 3, though the communication with the Photon camera is over the Ethernet link, not the computer's RS-232 COM port.

  • Page 42: Using The Photon Gui With The Ethernet Adapter Module

    Using the Photon GUI with the Ethernet Adapter Module The Photon GUI has functionality specific to the Ethernet Adapter Module. Launch the Photon GUI from the Windows Start Menu. Click in the lower right of the widow as shown below to choose the communication interface for the Photon GUI.
  • Page 43 Note The Photon GUI includes a video and a still image viewer. All of the settings on the Digital Video tab (except for the Camera Digital Output) pertain to the included viewer. They do not change the camera or Ethernet Adapter Module data output.
  • Page 44 5000 and above 8000, and use the range between 5000 and 8000 to generate the video image. Again, these setting only apply to the host-based viewer included with the Photon GUI; the Photon camera is unaffected by these settings. The Start Video and Stop Video buttons start and stop the streaming video to the viewer.

  • Page 45: Photon Digital Data Channel

    FLIR. We can supply camera setup files for both the IMAQ and Bit Flow frame grabbers, but FLIR does not formally support their use, nor do we claim or guarantee that these setup files will be suitable for any particular use or application.

  • Page 46: Using The Digital Data Channel

    Reapply power to the Interface Module. This will power-up both the Photon camera and the SIPO module, and digital data will begin streaming. If desired, change the digital data mode using the Photon GUI software in the Digital Video tab. February 2008...

  • Page 47: Overview Of The Photon Electrical Interface

    Overview of the Photon Electrical Interface Depending on your choice of accessories, the Photon camera will have one of two interface connectors. Samtec 30-Pin Connector In the Photon camera’s simplest form (no accessories attached), one connector provides the electrical interface. This connector is a 30-pin Samtec board-to-board style connector, per Samtec Part Number: TFML-115-02-S-D-K.
  • Page 48 6—Overview of the Photon Electrical Interface Photon User’s Manual Table 6-1: 30-pin Samtec Connector Interface of the Photon Camera Pin # Signal Name Signal Definition Spare Serial Communication transmit Primary Serial Communication transmit LVDS_VID2+ Digital Port 2 Output Data, positive output...

  • Page 49: D-Sub 15 Pin Connector

    Photon User’s Manual 6—Overview of the Photon Electrical Interface D-Sub 15 Pin Connector Figure 6-2: 15-Pin 3-Row D-Sub Connector If you are using the Wearsaver (Part Number 250-0194-00), or one of the rear covers that incorporates the 15-Pin HD-15 D-Sub 3-row connector such as the EMI Rear Enclosure Assembly (Part Number 500-0312-00) or the Rear Wearsaver Cover Assembly (Part Number 261-1273-00), Table 6-2 below identifies the function of each pin.

  • Page 50: Input Power

    Photon User’s Manual Input Power The Photon camera operates from DC power per the specifications given in Table below. It is common in simple operational scenarios to use an inexpensive wall-powered adapter. This type of adapter is what is included with the Accessory Kit. The connector pin-out tables indicate where power is to be applied (PWR_IN and GND pins).

  • Page 51: Analog Video Output

    (generally associated with professional or scientific equipment) style connector. If you are creating a custom cable to carry the analog video signal from the Photon camera to your monitoring or recording device, you should use 75 Ohm characteristic impedance coaxial cable and terminate into a 75 Ohm monitor.

  • Page 52: External Synchronization

    This discussion is intended only to be an overview. Details for External Synchronization are covered in the Appendix. The Photon camera provides the ability to either accept or output frame synchronization if needed. Please note this is a frame synchronization and not suitable for genlock applications.

  • Page 53: Photon Physical Interface

    (isothermal design). For example, if you mount the Photon Camera in a tube style protective enclosure with an IR transparent window, you should design to keep the window and adjacent surfaces at the same temperature as the Camera.
  • Page 54 7—Photon Physical Interface Photon User’s Manual February 2008 412-0035-00-10, version 110...

  • Page 55: Appendix A Pin-Out Definitions

    Appendix A Pin-out Definitions I/O Module • Camera Connector: See Chapter 6. • 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...
  • Page 56 Appendix A—Pin-out Definitions Photon 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) DATA_OUT+ Digital data output channel (LVDS high) DATA_CLK+ Digital output channel clock (LVDS high)

  • Page 57: Appendix B Serial Communication Technical Details

    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.

  • Page 58: Status Byte

    Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Photon 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 A7 Reserved...

  • Page 59: Function Byte

    Photon 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.
  • Page 60 Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Photon User’s Manual February 2008 412-0035-00-10, version 110...
  • Page 61 Photon User’s Manual Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details 412-0035-00-10, version 110 February 2008...
  • Page 62 Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Photon User’s Manual February 2008 412-0035-00-10, version 110...
  • Page 63 Photon User’s Manual Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details 412-0035-00-10, version 110 February 2008...
  • Page 64 Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Photon User’s Manual February 2008 412-0035-00-10, version 110...
  • Page 65 Photon User’s Manual Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details 412-0035-00-10, version 110 February 2008...
  • Page 66 Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Photon User’s Manual B-10 February 2008 412-0035-00-10, version 110...

  • Page 67: Example Of The Format Of A Serial Message

    Photon 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.

  • Page 68: Description Of Serial Commands

    Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Photon 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_DEFUALTS command.

  • Page 69: Spare Serial Communications Channel

    Photon User’s Manual Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details B.6.5 Digital data The DIGITAL_OUTPUT_MODE command allows the users to select one of the following digital data options • 14-bit data • 8-bit data • digital off • 14-bit unfiltered • 8-bit inverted •...

  • Page 70: Frame Synchronization

    3 volt pulse as defined in Table B-7. The frame sync signal shall occur only once per frame. This signal output is intended to drive one Photon which is configured for slave mode operation. Table B-7: Frame Sync Output Requirements...

  • Page 71: B.10 Digital Data Channels

    Photon User’s Manual Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details B.10 Digital Data Channels The camera provides two digital ports. • Port 1 consists of the signals SD_CLK+, SD_FSYNC+, and SD_DATA+. • Port 2 consists of the signal LVDS_VID0+, LVDS_VID1+, and LVDS_VID2+.
  • Page 72 Appendix B—Serial Communication Technical Details Photon User’s Manual Figure B-2: Digital Data Format Figure B-3: Detailed Digital Data Timing B-16 February 2008 412-0035-00-10, version 110...

  • Page 73: C Mechanical Icd Reference

    The following Mechanical Interface Control Document (ICD) pages detail the outline and mounting for the Photon camera with 50mm lens configuration. This is provided for reference only. You should consult the website to obtain current ICD information. Also, the Photon Thermal Imaging Camera Core Data Sheet available from the website contains important mechanical interface data as well.
  • Page 74 C—Mechanical ICD Reference Photon User’s Manual February 2008 412-0035-00-10, version 110...
  • Page 75 Photon User’s Manual Appendix C—Mechanical ICD Reference Appendix C Mechanical ICD Reference Interface Control Document 102-1239-81 Sheet 1 412-0035-00-10, version 110 February 2008...
  • Page 76 Photon User’s Manual Appendix C—Mechanical ICD Reference Interface Control Document 102-1239-81 Sheet 2 412-0035-00-10, version 110 February 2008...
  • Page 77 Photon User’s Manual Appendix C—Mechanical ICD Reference Interface Control Document 102-1239-81 Sheet 3 412-0035-00-10, version 110 February 2008...

Table of Contents