Month: August 2016

Digital Night Vision

Digital night vision is a newer consumer technology that gives results similar to Starlight technology with some additions and advantages. The positive side is that this technology can give results that are comparable to earlier Generation 1 devices at less cost and without the distortions inherent in Generation 1 “Starlight technology” night vision. The negative side is that this is about the extent of its capabilities. It does not compare to Generation 2 or later Starlight technology devices. Digital night vision also has a significantly reduced range. Even some of today’s Generation 1 night vision devices will often outperform these devices when viewing beyond reasonably close distances.

The technology for this type of night vision is quite different from standard night vision and generally works like this. The light comes into the device through an objective lens and is then processed through a highly sensitive charged coupling device (CCD) and then sent to a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) where you can view the image. This can vary a bit and there might be an eyepiece to look into to view the output rather than a LCD screen. If you are trying to remain undetected by whom or what you are viewing, the eyepiece devices are preferable, as they will not illuminate your face as an LCD will. As with standard night vision devices, you are not looking directly at an amplified image but rather a processed and recreated image. Some digital video cameras have a “0 Lux” mode that works essentially the same way.

One great advantage of Digital Night Vision is that you can also look through these devices in the daylight without the concerns of damaging it. They are similar to Generation 1 night vision devices in that they only amplify available light and require an IR illuminator to see in dark areas. Most digital night vision devices are equipped with IR diodes (a bank of small IR lights). They also often come with multiple filters so that the image can be viewed in shades of green, red or gray. The green filters give you the greatest image contrast and detail and appear similar to standard night vision devices. Red filters are used to preserve your own night vision (like using a red light to view star charts so your eyes don’t take such a long time to readjust to the darkness). The gray or neutral filter minimizes the amount of light to your eyes and appears somewhat like a black and white display.

Thermal-Imaging

“Thermal-Imaging Night Vision” is much different than what we have looked at with light amplification devices. We will only briefly define these types of devices since many people confuse standard night vision devices with thermal-imaging abilities. At this point, the technology starts at about $10,000 which is generally cost-prohibitive for most consumers.

Thermal-imaging devices look at heat, not visible light. Unlike image-intensifiers, they are unaffected by smoke or fog and they can be used in absolute darkness since they are not dependant on visible light. They have infrared-detectors that are sensitive to the invisible infrared portion of the electromagnetic wave (heat). All objects emit heat or infrared radiation. Thermal-imaging devices have infrared-detector elements that see this portion of the spectrum only. The image is usually seen as a gray-scale view contrasting with image-enhancement technology that is viewed in green scale (that eerie green view). Some of the more expensive models even display the resulting views in color on small screens. Color representations or images are called thermograms. By convention the cooler colors are represented by blacks, blues and greens. Whites, reds, and yellows represent the warmer colors.

Detail in thermal-image viewing is also very different since you are looking at heat differences and not at light reflecting off surfaces that give you the shadows and details we are accustomed to seeing with visible light. Other details that are not seen in visible light are apparent when looking through a thermal-imaging device. Since we are looking at heat, after leaning against a wall with your hand, looking through a thermal-imaging device you would see a hand print on the wall. Even the wall itself might show the internal studs as a slightly different color since the part of the wall where the studs are attached is slightly denser and subsequently heats and cools at a different rate. Freshly painted areas would be a slightly different color or freshly dug holes in the ground show up visually, whereas in daylight these details are invisible to your eyes. These types of details make thermal-imaging devices very applicable to law enforcement type of uses.

This article comes from optics4birding edit released

Thermal Imaging

All objects have a certain temperature and emit waves of energy called infrared radiation. Hot objects emit more energy than cold objects. A thermal imager translates these energy waves into a viewable image, which shows a “heat picture” of a scene. On the screen of a thermal imager, hotter objects show as white, cooler objects show as black, and objects in between these temperatures are displayed in shades of gray. Because infrared radiation is not blocked by smoke, firefighters can use thermal imagers to see through smoke, enabling them to find victims faster, identify the seat of the fire earlier, and detect structural dangers that could put them at risk.

While the primary advantage of thermal imagers is evident in structure fires, this technology can help at any emergency incident in which normal visibility is reduced.

Size-Up

The thermal imager can give firefighters important information early at an incident during size-up, which can help them develop a better plan for mitigation. At a structure fire, the thermal imager may help identify the location of the fire or the extent of fire involvement prior to firefighters being committed into the structure. At non-fire incidents, thermal imagers can help verify the number of victims at a vehicle collision.

Fire Attack

Just as in size-up, thermal imagers provide information to the fire attack crew that they did not previously have due to poor visibility and building construction. Using this information, firefighters can immediately direct water to the seat of the fire and ensure that their hose streams are working effectively. A thermal imager can also help firefighters locate and isolate hidden fires, such as electrical fires behind walls.

Search and Rescue

Of all the operations in which thermal imaging can improve a firefighter’s efforts, this technology has the most dramatic impact on search and rescue. Without a thermal imager, firefighters search burning buildings by crawling on their hands and knees and groping their way through blinding smoke to find unconscious victims. Recovery rates in these operations are low, since firefighters are forced to rely on physical contact alone to locate victims. Firefighters using thermal imagers can see the scene, which enables them to quickly navigate and identify victims. In addition to allowing firefighters to see through smoke in burning structures, thermal imagers enable first responders to see in the dark to find victims who are lost or in danger. Police departments can also use these devices to search for fugitives.

Ventilation

Firefighters can use thermal imagers to identify areas of heat accumulation, possible ventilation points and significant building construction features. This helps ensure proper and effective ventilation that successfully removes smoke and heat from a building. Ventilation reduces the chances of backdraft or flashover, while possibly giving trapped victims a few more valuable seconds to be found. Identification of superheated gases also helps keep firefighters safer.

Overhaul

After the fire is out, firefighters overhaul a structure to ensure that there are no hidden fires or smoldering materials that could cause the fire to reignite. When using a thermal imager for overhaul, firefighters methodically scan each room for remaining hot spots. When firefighters find these hot spots quickly and efficiently, they minimize the risk of a rekindle, and they reduce property damage. Structural components can be identified easily with a thermal imager, helping firefighters remain safe while fighting fires in compromised structures.

Hazardous Materials

Thermal imaging helps fire officials manage hazardous spills and other hazmat incidents more effectively. Firefighters can use thermal imagers to identify sources and movement of contaminants in bodies of water and on the ground. With the aid of the technology, firefighters can also determine product levels in sealed or pressurized containers.

This article comes from bullard edit released

Fixed Thermal Network Camera System is the professional’s choice for capturing infrared video.

This product is built with hardened components to withstand extreme temperature ranges and power surges.

Advantage:
• Outstanding resolution thermal optics detect objects in complete darkness or in a variety of difficult-to-see conditions
• Rugged outdoor-ready system with extreme temperature range for 365/24/7 surveillance in challenging environments
• Integrated heater / blower to maintain ideal system temperature
• IP66 for high-level protection against dust and powerful water jets
• Broad range of lens options for different applications
• Scalable to augment existing systems
• Wide detection range through multiple resolution and lens configuration options
• Extreme temperature range allows for installation in tough outdoor environments

This article comes from qualitytrade edit released

It is a handheld thermal imager for military reconnaissance, target acquisition and target localization at day and night, matching multi-functionality with compact and lightweight design.

Multifunctional & compact

Thermal imager combines

• High resolution uncooled Thermal Imager
• Direct View Optics (glass optics, DVO)
• Class 1 Laser Rangefinder
• Digital Magnetic Compass (DMC)
• onboard GPS and Bluetooth

in one handy and easily portable device weighing 1500 grams only.

Long Range Target Detection and Measurement at Day and Night

The military thermal imager for target acquisition allows for reliable observation and long range object measurement during day and night. Its uncooled thermal imager offers noiseless operation and long autonomous battery operation time.

The direct view glass optics (monocular) require no energy and extend the detection range of night vision goggles due to its optical 7-fold magnification.

Thermal imager features many inbuilt functions, such as object measurement, fall-of-shot correction, guide-me-home, and more.

Military thermal imager for target acquisition is part of equipment of the “GLADIUS” future soldier project of German Army (formerly known as IdZ).

This article comes from jenoptik edit released