Microbolometer IR Camera Ambient Temperature Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microbolometer-based infrared cameras face performance limitations due to temperature changes, which affect the output signal range and cause signal drift, necessitating improved calibration techniques for stable imaging across varying ambient temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an ambient temperature calibration system that determines and adjusts global external resistance, sensor integration time, and offset mappings for the read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) to stabilize the output signal range and improve imaging performance across a wide range of temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional microbolometer FPA is used without temperature calibration, then device simplicity is maintained, but output signal stability deteriorates under temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary temperature calibration by determining ambient temperature calibration values for global external resistance, sensor integration time, and offset mapping before actual infrared detection. This pre-calibration approach establishes baseline parameters that compensate for temperature variations, thereby improving output signal stability without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts key operational parameters (global external resistance, sensor integration time, and offset mapping) based on ambient temperature conditions. By changing these parameters in response to temperature variations, the system maintains stable output signals across different thermal environments, resolving the contradiction between signal stability and device simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If microbolometer operates across wide temperature range without calibration, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processing component continuously monitors ambient temperature and adjusts calibration parameters accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that measurement precision is maintained across wide temperature ranges by dynamically compensating for temperature-induced signal drift through real-time parameter adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration at different ambient temperatures to establish temperature-dependent parameter sets. This pre-established calibration data enables the microbolometer to maintain high measurement precision when operating across wide temperature ranges, as the appropriate calibration parameters can be selected based on current ambient conditions.
3Reliability
If temperature calibration is implemented, then imaging performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service calibration where the processing component automatically determines ambient temperature calibration values without requiring external intervention or complex manual adjustment mechanisms. The system uses its own operational data to perform calibration, thereby improving imaging performance while minimizing the increase in device complexity through automated self-calibration processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides stable gas contrast and accurate gas detection by maintaining consistent level and span tunings, ensuring reliable infrared-based gas imaging across different systems and temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
A microbolometer can be configured to detect infrared radiation
Implementation Method 2
Modern microbolometer structures used for infrared imagery are typically fabricated on monolithic silicon substrates
Implementation Method 3
The change in resistance of each microbolometer is translated into a time-multiplexed electrical signal by circuitry known as the read out integrated circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An ambient temperature calibration process includes, in accordance with an embodiment, determining an ambient temperature calibration value for a global external resistance associated with a read out integrated circuit (ROIC) of an image capture component comprising a sensor array comprising a focal plane array of microbolometers arranged on the ROIC; determining an ambient temperature calibration value for a sensor integration time associated with the ROIC; and determining an ambient temperature calibration mapping for an offset mapping associated with the ROIC.