The thermal imaging knowledge base

Thermal imaging,
explained.

From your first thermal pixel to your next integration.
Explore the concepts behind the camera, one clear answer at a time.

LWIRSIGNAL → UNDERSTANDINGCONCEPT ILLUSTRATION
Popular searches: NETD·FOV·Radiometry·USB UVC
36 explained concepts6 topic collections

Start with a topic.

Find the part you’re working on.

The A–Z of thermal imaging.

36 of 36 terms

AGC

Automatic gain control

Image processing that maps the scene’s signal range into a viewable image.

Athermal lens

Focus stability over temperature

An optical design intended to limit focus change as temperature varies.

BT.656

Digital video framing reference

A digital-video format reference used by some thermal-module output modes.

Calibration

Relating camera response to a reference

The documented process that establishes or updates the measurement relationship.

Core vs. assembled module

Mechanical configuration boundary

The distinction between a bare thermal core and a complete lens-and-board assembly.

CVBS

Composite analog video

An analog video output, commonly specified as PAL or NTSC by the interface board.

Detector resolution

Native thermal array

The number of physical samples in the thermal detector array.

DVP

Digital video port

A parallel digital-video path with product-specific timing and signal definitions.

Emissivity

Surface emission property

A surface property used when interpreting infrared radiation as temperature.

F-number

Lens aperture ratio

The ratio of focal length to entrance-pupil diameter.

FFC

Flat-field correction

A correction update made using a spatially uniform reference.

Focal length

Lens geometry

A lens parameter that helps set scene coverage for a given detector.

FOV

Field of view

The angular extent of the scene visible through a particular lens and detector.

Frame rate

Detector, interface and application timing

The rate of detector updates or delivered frames, depending on which stage is specified.

IFOV

Instantaneous field of view

The approximate angular sampling interval represented by one detector pixel.

Latency

Scene-to-consumer delay

The elapsed time between a scene event and its availability to the consuming system.

LWIR

Long-wave infrared

The infrared waveband used by the thermal modules in this library.

MIPI CSI

Embedded camera serial interface

A camera interface family that requires a matched electrical and data-format configuration.

NETD

Noise-equivalent temperature difference

A measure of thermal sensitivity, usually expressed in millikelvins.

NUC

Non-uniformity correction

Correction that reduces response differences between detector pixels.

Operating temperature

Permitted ambient conditions

The ambient range for operation, which can differ from the thermometry and storage ranges.

Pixel pitch

Detector sampling distance

The centre-to-centre spacing between neighbouring detector pixels.

Power rails

Supply and logic requirements

The voltage supplies, sequencing and noise limits required by a core or adapter board.

Radiometry

Calibrated temperature-data capability

The measurement path that turns the detected signal into calibrated temperature information.

RAW thermal data

Data before the selected display processing

A product-specific numerical data path whose meaning must be read from the format definition.

SDK

Software development kit

The libraries, headers, examples and documentation used to integrate a particular camera path.

Shutterless imaging

Correction without a mechanical shutter event

A design or operating mode that avoids mechanical shutter interruptions.

Spectral range

Wavelength response

The infrared wavelength interval specified for the detector and optical system.

Temperature range

Measurement span and gain mode

The object-temperature interval supported by a specified radiometric configuration.

Thermal palette

Colour mapping

The visual mapping from thermal image values to grayscale or colour.

UART

Serial control interface

A serial communication path often used for camera control commands.

Uncooled detector

Microbolometer architecture

A thermal detector that operates without a cryogenic cooler.

USB UVC

USB Video Class

A standard USB video interface, with product-specific modes and optional controls.

Video stream resolution

Transmitted or encoded image dimensions

The frame dimensions on an output path, which may differ from the native detector array.

VOx

Vanadium oxide

The temperature-sensitive detector material used in many uncooled thermal cores.

Y16

16-bit grayscale container

A capture-format label that does not, by itself, define the units of a pixel value.

From understanding to implementation

Your next step: the right documentation.

Specifications, manuals, SDKs and mechanical drawings.
Find the resources for your exact product and configuration.

Open download center ↗