FLIR Photon Block 2 User Manual

Photon Block 2
User Guide

412-0035-00-10
Version 100

FLIR Systems

Indigo Operations

70 Castilian Dr.

Goleta, CA 93117-3027

805 964-9797 FAX [phone]

www.indigosystems.com

Photon User Guide 412-0035-00-10 Version 100

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 4

2 PHOTON SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................ 4

3 UNPACKING YOUR PHOTON CAMERA...................................................................... 5

4 OPTIONAL PHOTON ACCESSORIES............................................................................ 6

5 OVERVIEW OF THE PHOTON ELECTRICAL INTERFACE.................................... 6

INPUT POWER............................................................................................................................... 8

ANALOG VIDEO OUTPUT ............................................................................................................. 8

COMMAND AND CONTROL CHANNEL........................................................................................... 9

DIGITAL DATA CHANNEL ............................................................................................................ 9

EXTERNAL SYNCHRONIZATION.................................................................................................... 9

Voltage Outputs .................................................................................................................... 10

Input/Output Pins.................................................................................................................. 10

6 BASIC OPERATION OF THE PHOTON CAMERA.................................................... 11

7 REMOTE CONTROL OF THE PHOTON CAMERA .................................................. 12

INSTALLATION OF PHOTON CONTROL PANEL SOFTWARE .......................................................... 13

CONNECTING PHOTON TO A PC VIA THE I/O MODULE ............................................................... 13

TROUBLESHOOTING THE COMMAND & CONTROL LINK ............................................................. 13

OPERATION OF THE PHOTON CONTROL PANEL .......................................................................... 14

7.1.1 Control Panel Camera Tab................................................................................... 15

7.1.2 Control Panel Video Tab ...................................................................................... 19

7.1.3 Control Panel AGC Tab........................................................................................ 25

7.1.4 Control Panel About Tab...................................................................................... 28

8 PHOTON DIGITAL DATA CHANNEL.......................................................................... 29

SING THE DIGITAL DATA CHANNEL ........................................................................................ 29

U

9 PHOTON PHYSICAL INTERFACE ............................................................................... 30

DIMENSIONED DRAWINGS ......................................................................................................... 30

WEIGHT ..................................................................................................................................... 30

M

OUNTING................................................................................................................................. 31

APPENDIX A: PIN-OUT DEFINITIONS ............................................................................... 37

I/O MODULE .............................................................................................................................. 37

COPYRIGHT NOTICE © FLIR SYSTEMS CORPORATION 2006

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Cautions:

• Do not remove the camera cover. Disassembly of the camera (including removal of the

cover) can cause permanent damage and will void the warranty.

• Operating the camera outside of the specified input voltage range or the specified

operating temperature range can cause permanent damage.

• The camera is not sealed. Avoid exposure to dust and moisture and replace the lens cap

when not in use.

• Do not image extremely high intensity radiation sources, such as the sun, lasers, arc

welders, etc.

• The camera is a precision optical instrument and should not be exposed to excessive

shock and/or vibration. Refer to the Product Specification (ISC doc. 102-0005-09) for
detailed environmental requirements.

• This camera contains static-sensitive electronics and should be handled appropriately.

• If you have questions that are not covered in this manual, or need service, contact

Customer Support at [phone] for additional information prior to returning a
camera.

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1 INTRODUCTION

The Photon is a long-wavelength (7.5 – 13.5 microns) uncooled microbolometer camera designed
for infrared imaging applications that demand absolute minimum size, weight, and power
consumption. It is available with five different lens options: 14.25 mm focal length (50° H field of
view or FOV), 19 mm focal length (36° HFOV), 30 mm (23° HFOV), 35 mm (20° HFOV) or 50
mm (14° HFOV). The camera provides “power-in, video-out” capability, which means that one
need only apply input voltage to receive analog video. For those applications demanding more
advanced control the Photon includes a serial interface (RS-232) for transmitting camera
commands and receiving status. Photon provides digital data interface via a parallel interface.

Figure 1: Photon 50 mm, 30 mm, 19 mm and 14.25 mm

2 PHOTON SPECIFICATIONS

• 324 (H) x 256 (V) uncooled microbolometer sensor array, 38 x 38 micron pixels

• Input power range: 5.0 – 24.0 VDC

• Power Consumption: 1.5 Watts (nominal at room temperature with 8V input)

• Operating Temperature Range: -40°C to +75°C external temp range

• Dimensions: see detailed drawings in Section 9

• Weight: approx 97 grams for camera core

• Analog video output: NTSC (PAL optional)

• Remote interface: RS-232 (Control Panel software included.)

• Included features:

o 2X Digital Zoom with electronic pan/tilt

o Digital Detail Enhancement

Note: These specifications are subject to change without notice. See the Electrical Interface
Control Document (ISC doc. 102-1238-41) for detailed interface descriptions.

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3 UNPACKING YOUR PHOTON CAMERA

The items shown in Figure 2 come standard in your Photon Camera package. If there is any
discrepancy between this list and the contents of your camera package, please contact FLIR
Systems Customer Support immediately at [phone].

1. Photon camera

2. I/O Module

3. Interface cable

4. 110/220V AC/DC Converter with outlet plug

5. Wear Saver (may not be needed)

6. User’s Guide and Photon OEM GUI

6

4

5

1

2

3

Figure 2: Standard Photon Camera and OEM Package

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4 OPTIONAL PHOTON ACCESSORIES

• Digital data serial-to-parallel module (parallel data cable sold separate)

• Pleora IPort

• Battery Pack

Figure 3: Some of the Photon Accessories

5 OVERVIEW OF THE PHOTON ELECTRICAL INTERFACE

Depending on connector type, either a 15-pin HD D-Sub or a 30-pin SAMTEC, thru which
input/output signals are available on the back of the Photon camera.

The 15-pin high density or HD D-Sub connector pin definitions are shown in Table 2. The
signals on this connector include input power, analog video output, serial communication
channel for command and control and the digital data output.

Table 1: 15-Pin HD D-Sub (F) Connector Pin Definitions

Pin # Signal Name Signal Definition

1 VIDEO_HI Analog Video, positive output
2 SD_ FSYNC+ Digital Port 1 Sync, positive output
3 GND Ground
4 GND Ground
5 GND Ground
6 VIDEO_LO Analog Video, negative output see
7 SD_ CLK+ Digital Port 1 Clock, positive output
8 SD_ DATA+ Digital Port 1 Output Data, positive output

9 TX Primary Serial Communication transmit
10 PWR_IN Input voltage
11 SD_CLK- Digital Port 1 Clock, negative output
12 SD_FSYNC- Digital Port 1 Sync, negative output
13 SD_DATA- Digital Port 1 Output Data, negative output
14 RX Primary Serial Communication receive
15 PWR_IN Input voltage

Figure 4: 15-pin HD D-Sub (M) connector on camera

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The Photon camera provides all input/output signals via a single 30-pin SAMTEC TFML-115­02-S-D-P connector (J1) with pin definitions as shown in Table 2 The signals on this connector
include input power, analog video output, serial communication channel for command and
control, external sync, voltage output, I/O pins and the digital data output.

Table 2: 30-pin Power Board to External I/O Connector Pin Definitions

Pin # Signal Name Signal Definition

1,2,5,6 GND Ground

3 3.15V_OUT 3.15V output

4 PWR_IN Input voltage

7 1.5V_OUT 1.5V output

8 LIN Do not connect

9 RX2 Spare Serial Communication receive
10 RX Primary Serial Communication receive
11 TX2 Spare Serial Communication transmit
12 TX Primary Serial Communication transmit
13 LVDS_VID2+ Digital Port 2 Output Data, positive output
14 SD_DATA- Digital Port 1 Output Data, negative output
15 LVDS_VID2- Digital Port 2 Output Data, negative output
16 SD_ DATA+ Digital Port 1 Output Data, positive output
17 LVDS_VID1+ Digital Port 2 Sync, positive output
18 SD_FSYNC- Digital Port 1 Sync, negative output
19 LVDS_VID1- Digital Port 2 Sync, negative output
20 SD_ FSYNC+ Digital Port 1 Sync, positive output
21 LVDS_VID0+ Digital Port 2 Clock, positive output
22 SD_CLK- Digital Port 1 Clock, negative output
23 LVDS_VID0- Digital Port 2 Clock, negative output
24 SD_ CLK+ Digital Port 1 Clock, positive output
25 TEMP2 Temp Sensor port 2
26 DIS0_EXT External Sync
27 DIS2_EXT Discrete Input Channel 2
28 VIDEO_LO Analog Video, negative output
29 DIS1_EXT Discrete Input, Channel 1
30 VIDEO_HI Analog Video, positive output

Note: The mating connector is SAMTEC SFML-115-T1-S-D-K

30

4

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Figure 5: 30-pin SAMTEC (M) connector on camera

Note: See the Electrical Interface Control Document (ISC doc. 102-1238-41) for detailed interface
requirements. Pin-out definitions for the I/O Module are provided in Appendix A.

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Input Power

Included with the Photon camera is an AC/DC converter that generates 8VDC input power from
110 VAC or 220 VAC. If you prefer to provide your own power supply, please verify that the
input power at the camera connector meets the specifications shown in Table 3 when applied
across PWR_IN and GND pins.

CAUTION: Reversing polarity of input power will damage the camera’s internal power supply
and repair is not covered under the camera warranty.

Table 3: Input Power Requirements

Parameter

Minimum voltage 5.0 V Absolute minimum is 4.8V

Maximum voltage 24.0V Absolute maximum is 26 V

Nominal Load
Power

Peak Load Power
at start-up

Baseline

Value

< 2000 mW Typical power is 1500 mW

4000 mW Assuming no load between

Comment

HTR and HTR_RTN.

Analog Video Output

The video output of the Photon camera can be configured to either NTSC or PAL-compatible.*
In either case, the output is intended to drive a 75-ohm load. Use of coaxial cable with 75 ohm
characteristic impedance is strongly suggested. The analog video signal is across the
VIDEO_LO and VIDEO_HI pins. See Table 4 for a list of other relevant video parameters.

Table 4: Video parameters

Parameter NTSC PAL

Monochrome equivalent RS-170A CCIR

Frame rate 29.97 Hz 25 Hz

Active video lines 480 510

# displayed detector samples 320 (H) x 240 (V) 320 (H) x 255 (V)

Note: To use the Photon Isotherm option, the video monitor must be color capable. For display
of Photon video without Isotherm capability, a monitor complying with the monochrome­equivalent standard shown in Table 4 can be used.

*

NTSC is the U.S. standard for color analog video. PAL is the European standard.

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Command and Control Channel

Remote control of the Photon camera is provided via a RS-232 serial interface consisting of
signals named RX, TX and GND using 3.3 volt signal levels. Section 7 provides information
regarding remote control using the Photon OEM GUI. The Electrical Interface Control
Document (ISC doc. 102-1238-41) describes the serial communications protocol for the Photon
camera.

Digital Data Channel

Photon provides a digital channel with real-time serialized digital video. The camera outputs
either 8-bit or 14-bit data using the SD_CLK±, SD_FSYNC± and SD_DATA± signals.
Conversion of the digital data to a parallel format for data acquisition requires a serial-to-parallel
converter accessory or an Ethernet Module which is also an accessory. Section 8 provides
information regarding the digital data interface. Also, the Electrical Interface Control Document
(ISC doc. 102-1238-41) describes the specific timing information.

External Synchronization

Photon camera provides the ability to either accept or output frame synchronization if needed.

1. Slave Mode: The camera will accept a frame synchronization signal on the interface
connector (DIS0_EXT) when configured as a slave via the serial communications port. The sync
signal starts the FPA frame timing sequence. The sync signal consists of a positive going, 3 volt
pulse as defined in Table 5. The frame sync signal should be sent only once per frame and the
camera core will not output digital data until a valid frame sync is received. The video output
(analog) of the camera core is enabled while in external sync mode, however, the video frame
rate depends upon the external frame sync rate (e.g. the analog video may not conform to timing
standards). The camera synchronization state must be set prior to power-up (e.g. after the mode
is changed and saved, the camera must be re-started).

Table 5: Frame Sync Input Requirements

Frequency

Range

0 to 30 Hz 135ns

Pulse width
(minimum)

2. Master Mode: The camera will output a frame synchronization signal on the interface
connector (DIS0_EXT) when configured as a master via the serial communications port. The
sync signal corresponds to the start of the FPA frame timing sequence. The sync signal shall
consist of a positive going, 3 volt pulse as defined in Error! Reference source not found. . The
frame sync signal shall occur only once per frame. This signal output is intended to drive one
Photon which is configured for slave mode operation.

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Table 6: Frame Sync Output Requirements

Frequency

Range

29.97 Hz (NTSC
mode)

25 Hz (PAL

mode)

Pulse width
(minimum)

200 ns

200ns

Voltage Outputs

The Photon camera provides two conditioned voltage outputs, 3.15V_OUT and 1.5V_OUT,
intended to power auxiliary electronics and accessories. The characteristics of these two outputs
are shown in Table 7.

Table 7: Output Power Requirements

Parameter 3.15V_OUT 1.5V_OUT

Voltage 3.16V + 0.11V 1.50V + 0.05mV

Max. Supply
Current

500 mA 700 mA

Input/Output Pins

The Photon camera allows for custom defined I/O pins that can be programmed at the factory for
selected applications. Contact FLIR Systems Customer Support at [phone] for details.

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6 BASIC OPERATION OF THE PHOTON CAMERA

Note: If you are using the Ethernet Module or SIPO adapter additional instructions may also be
provided.

1. Remove the lens cap. (Remember to replace the lens cap when the camera is not in use

to prevent accidental scratching and dust contamination.)

2. If using the standard Interface Cable and I/O Module, plug one end of the Interface Cable

into the mating connector on the back of the camera, as shown in Figure 6 . (Either end
of the Interface Cable can be plugged into the camera.) Connect the other end of the
Interface Cable to the mating connector on the I/O Module labeled “CAMERA”.

3. Attach one end of a standard BNC cable to the video port labeled “VIDEO” on the I/O

Module. Attach the other end to a compatible video monitor.

4. Attach one end of a standard RS-232 serial port (9-pin) PC cable to the communications

port labeled “RS-232” on the I/O Module. Attach other end to the serial port on the PC.

5. Plug the AC/DC converter into an electrical outlet. Insert the circular plug at the other

end of the AC/DC converter into the power jack labeled “POWER” on the I/O Module.
The camera will take ~1 second to produce an image after application of power.

6. The camera will automatically perform a flat-field correction (FFC) at periodic intervals.

This operation, which improves image quality, takes less than 1/2 second to complete.
This feature can be disabled or controlled manually or with a time delay via the Photon
OEM GUI (See page 16 .)

7. If you intend to use the Photon OEM GUI for remote control of the camera, follow the

additional steps described in Section 7. Figure 6 shows the I/O Module and camera after
cabling power, analog video and RS-232 interface.

8. If you intend to use the digital data channel, follow the additional steps described in

Section 8.

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To video
monitor

To electrical outlet

(only required if using RS-232

To PC

interface.)

Figure 6: Photon after cabling

7 REMOTE CONTROL OF THE PHOTON CAMERA

The Photon provides advanced camera control through an RS-232 serial interface. This can be
accessed using a PC with the standard serial communications port and the I/O Module. Included
with your Photon is PC-based Control Panel software that communicates with the camera. This
software provides remote control of various camera features and modes as well as image capture
using a graphical user interface (GUI). The Photon OEM GUI software is compatible with
Windows 2000 / 2000 Professional, and Windows XP Professional. The PC must have a spare
serial communications port for the I/O Module the Control Panel software.

If your application demands for embedded or specialty applications that require custom control
software, a Software Developer’s Kit (SDK) and an Electronic Interface Control Document
(ICD) are available to support your development efforts. Those intending to generate their own
custom software are encouraged to read the remainder of this section regarding the Photon OEM
GUI to better understand the camera modes and parameters.

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