Typically, infrared cameras are factory-calibrated using high-precision blackbody reference sources to implement a non-uniformity correction (NUC) for improved image quality and a radiometric calibration to relate observed detector response (digital counts) to blackbody temperature for a single exposure time. If the experiment requires temperature measurements at other exposure time values additional calibration data sets must be acquired, a time-consuming and tedious process.

The Telops proprietary permanent radiometric calibration operates its magic by measuring the electron flux generated by the detector (obtained from dividing digital counts by the exposure time) as a function of a blackbody temperature filling the camera’s Field Of View. The flux generated by the detector is independent of the exposure time and as such, this calibration strategy supports a wide range of operating parameters without the need for sporadic or periodic recalibration. All Telops high-speed broadband and multispectral imagers are delivered with this permanent calibration fully implemented and are ready to use from power-on.

With this technique, a Telops camera is permanently calibrated:
- For the whole range of the camera operating temperature;
- For the whole range of target temperature, from – 40 °C to + 2 500 °C;
- For the whole range of exposure time, continuously and without gaps.

This unique calibration allows the user to operate the IR camera with Automatic Exposure Control (AEC). The camera self-adjusts the exposure time of all pixels simultaneously, in real time, to always maximize the signal to noise ratio, without reaching saturation.

A thermal infrared camera measures a quantity called radiometric temperature by interpreting the infrared radiation emitted from the surface of objects within the scene. Each object is modeled as a blackbody with a unitary, spectrally flat emissivity profile that emits radiation only according to its temperature. Real objects do not have a unitary emissivity value and in fact, most materials have spectrally varying emissivity profiles. Additionally, the thermal radiation from objects within the scene entering the camera is modified by the transmission properties of the intervening atmosphere. In order to convert the radiometric temperature measured by an infrared camera to the true thermodynamic temperature of an object, it is necessary to compensate for both the true material emissivity and atmospheric transmission properties.

For this purpose, Telops provides a user-friendly compensation toolbox as part of its standard software suite.

Within LWIR cameras, it is a factory default, the shutter is initialized when the temperature at the detector changes by 0.5°C. An additional timing elapse function is also implemented and can also be activated. When a camera has just been started it will get to his working temperature. During this time the detector will warm-up and will be shuttered several times to assure the quality of the image.

A shutter is a part within a camera that controls the light exposure that reaches the sensor. There are two main shutters, namely mechanical shutter and electronic shutter. The mechanical shutter is physical curtain of the camera that open and close to expose the sensor. While the electronic shutter works by turning the sensor's sensitivity on and off for specific durations.

Yes, Xenics LWIR cameras are calibrated to provide accurate temperature measurements for specific applications, making them valuable for tasks like industrial monitoring and medical diagnostics. On the other hand, real-objects have varying emissivity profiles, and atmospheric conditions can affect the information. To get precise temperatures, one shall take into account for the true material emissivity and atmospheric transmission properties.

Cooled thermal cameras use a cooling system to enhance sensitivity and image quality, making them suitable for more demanding applications. On the other hand, the uncooled thermal cameras offering more compact and energy-efficient features that suitable for different dynamic applications.