Microcontroller Video Interface for Infrared Thermal Imaging Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microbolometer infrared detectors face manufacturing variations and non-uniformities in pixel responsivity, requiring complex non-uniformity correction (NUC) settings, which are typically transmitted serially, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the use of legacy FPGA-based host electronics with non-standard interfaces.
Innovation Solution
The use of a microprocessor with a video display interface to send command and control information, including NUC terms, formatted into video data lines, eliminating the need for a separate serial port by integrating control data into empty lines of the video stream, leveraging standardized interfaces for efficient data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional serial port transmission is used for control information, then compatibility with legacy FPGA-based host electronics is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control information transmission function with the existing video interface. Instead of using a separate serial port for control data, the system multiplexes control information onto the video interface lines, combining two functions (video and control) into a single transmission path. This reduces device complexity while maintaining compatibility with legacy FPGA-based host electronics that use standardized video interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The video interface is given multiple functions: it carries both video data and control information. By making the video interface universal, the system eliminates the need for dedicated control transmission lines, reducing overall system complexity while preserving adaptability to existing hardware platforms.
2Reliability
If separate serial port is used for control information transmission, then reliable control data delivery is ensured, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines control information transmission with the existing video interface that is already active during normal operation. Since the video interface is being used anyway to transmit image data, adding control information to the same transmission path does not require additional power for separate communication hardware or additional transmission lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing video interface infrastructure to serve dual purposes. The control information leverages the already-power-consuming video transmission mechanism, effectively using the system's existing power allocation efficiently rather than requiring additional power for separate control communication.
3Measurement precision
If non-uniformity correction settings are transmitted per pixel for each video frame, then imaging accuracy is maintained, but data transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges non-uniformity correction (NUC) data transmission with the video interface. Instead of using separate serial transmission for per-pixel NUC settings, the system multiplexes NUC data onto the video interface lines, combining NUC transmission with the existing video data transmission infrastructure. This maintains imaging accuracy while reducing transmission path complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transmits control information including NUC settings in the temporal dimension during video frame transmission. By embedding control data within the video stream timeline and using blanking intervals, the system adds control information transmission to the existing temporal structure of video transmission without requiring additional spatial channels.
4Use of energy by moving object
If microprocessor-based host electronics with standardized interfaces are used, then cost and power consumption are reduced, but compatibility with existing non-standard interfaces decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the standardized video interface universal by using it for multiple purposes: carrying both video data and control information. This approach allows microprocessor-based host electronics with standardized interfaces to be used while maintaining compatibility with existing non-standard interfaces, as the video interface serves as a common denominator that both legacy and new systems can work with.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized video interface acts as an intermediary between the microprocessor-based host electronics and the imaging array. It provides a common communication language that bridges the gap between new standardized hardware and legacy non-standard interfaces, enabling compatibility while allowing the benefits of lower-power microprocessor-based systems.
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 simplifies the design and reduces costs by enabling efficient transmission of control data within the existing video interface, reducing power consumption and enhancing processing efficiency in microbolometer imaging systems.
Implementation Method 1
A microbolometer is a type of uncooled sensor for detecting infrared (IR) radiation. Conventional microbolometers include a focal plane array (FPA) of detector elements, or pixels, each of which measures a change in electrical resistance while being exposed to thermal radiation.
Implementation Method 2
each of which measures a change in electrical resistance while being exposed to thermal radiation
Implementation Method 3
the ROIC includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog signal into a digital video signal
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for configuring an infrared thermal imaging system using a video interface of an electronic device, such as a microcontroller, for example, for sending commands and control information. In one example a an infrared thermal imaging system includes a focal plane array (FPA) of infrared detectors, the FPA being configured to generate an output signal in response to infrared radiation impinging thereupon, read out integrated circuitry (ROIC) operatively coupled to the FPA, and a microcontroller having at least one video display interface operatively coupled to the ROIC, the microcontroller being configured to send data to the ROIC via the at least one video display interface, the data including command data.