FLIR Systems announces its latest thermal imaging core, Muon. The makers say it’s designed for volume OEMs capable of integrating uncooled FPAs into their own cameras.
The company claims it has simplified the OEM process by offering a thermal sub-assembly that generates calibrated CMOS video out, using industry-standard interfaces. Because the product is calibrated for TEC-less operation, OEMs no longer have to develop their own elaborate factory calibration equipment or processes. Muon is a thermal ‘engine’ developed to operate on standard imaging device power and communication protocols.
Muon is based on FLIR’s 17µ pitch Vandium Oxide (VOx) 640×512 or 336×256 FPAs and offers frame rates of 9Hz and up to 60Hz. Optimized for size, weight and power (SWaP), Muon has a form factor of 22 mm x 22 mm x 6 mm, a mass of less than five grams, and depending on the configuration, uses less than 300mW of power.
The company introduced a first small microbolometer camera (the Alpha) in 1999, and has since launched five successor products, Omega, Photon, Tau, Quark and Lepton.
Bill Terre, FLIR GM of OEM and Emerging Markets, said: “Muon is an innovative solution for OEM manufacturers intent on using their own image processing, packaging and optical technologies. It represents FLIR’s ongoing leadership in developing OEM technologies that give our customers greater flexibility, while reducing up front manufacturing costs.” Visit www.flir.com/muon.
