Longwave Infrared Thermal Camera Core
Tau® 2 thermal imaging cameras offer an unmatched set of features, making them well-suited for demanding applications like Unmanned Airborne Vehicles (UAVs), thermal sights, and handheld imagers. Improved electronics provide powerful image processing modes that dramatically improve detail and contrast. Its options include full radiometry, increased sensitivity (<30mK), and 640/60Hz frame rates. Since the Tau® 2 640 and 336 configurations share electrical functions, common integrations can be designed that work seamlessly with both formats.
| System Overview | Tau 2 640 | Tau 2 336 | Tau 2 324 |
| System Type | 640 x 512 VOx Microbolometer (Uncooled LWIR Thermal Imager] |
336 x 256 VOx Microbolomter (Uncooled LWIR Thermal Imager] |
324 x 256 VOx Microbolometer (Uncooled LWIR Thermal Imager] |
| Pixel Size | 17 µm (Tau 2 640, 336); 25 µm (Tau 2 324) | ||
| Spectral Band | 7.5 – 13.5 µm | ||
| Performance | <50 mK @ f/1.0 | ||
| Outputs | |||
| Analog Video | Field-switchable between NTSC and PAL | ||
| 30/60Hz (NTSC); 25Hz/60Hz (PAL); <9Hz option for export (factory set) |
30/60 Hz (NTSC); 25/50 Hz (PAL) ; <9Hz option for export (factory set) | ||
| Digital Video | 8- or 14-bit serial LVDS; 8- or 14-bit parallel CMOS; 8-bit BT.656 | ||
| Operation and Control | |||
| Image Control | Invert, revert, continuous digital zoom, dynamic zoom & pan, digital zoom presets,polarity, false color or monochrome, isotherms, AGC, second generation digital detail enhancement (DDE), image optimization (BPR, NUC & AGC’d video), Active Contrast Enhancement (ACE, Information Based Histogram Equalization (IBHEQ), Smart Scene Optimization (SSO), settable splash screens | ||
| Camera Control | Manual via SDK & GUI, dynamic range switching (Tau 2 324 only) | ||
| Signal Interface | Camera Link (Expansion Bus Accessory Module), discrete I/O controls available, RS-232 compatible (57,600 & 921,600 baud), external sync input/output, power reduction switch (removes analog video) | ||
| FFC Duration | < 0.5 sec | ||
| Physical Attributes | |||
| Size | 1.75” × 1.75” × 1.75” (less lens) | ||
| Mounting Interface | 6 attach points in lens mount, M2 x 0.4 on 3 sides, 2 per side (sealable bulkhead mounting feature on lens barrel [M29 × 1.0], WFOV only) | ||
| Power | |||
| Input Voltage | 4.0 – 6.0 VDC | ||
| Primary Electrical Connector | 50-pin Hirose | ||
| Power Dissipation | ~ 1.0 W (Tau 2 324 & 336); <1.2 W (Tau 2 640); <1.3W (Tau 2 640/60Hz) | ||
| Time to Image | <5 seconds (Tau 2 640); <4 seconds (Tau 2 336 and 324) | ||
| Physical Attributes | |||
| Operating Temperature Range | -40° C to +80° C external temp | ||
| Storage Temperature Range | -55° C to +95° C external temp | ||
| Scene Temp Range | High gain: -40°C to +160°; Low gain: -40°C to +550° | ||
| Shock | 200 g shock pulse with 11 msec sawtooth | ||
| Temperature Shock | 5°/min | ||
| Vibration | 4.3 g 3 axes, 8 hours each | ||
| Humidity | 5 – 95% non-condensing | ||
| Operational Altitude | +40,000 feet | ||
| ROHS, REACH, and WEEE | Compliant | ||