An 80x32 thermal image sensor... from Mitsubishi! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Spirit532
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2019, 06:23:32 am
content: https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/news/2019/0806.htmlApparently Mitsubishi developed a new technology, bringing thermal closer to regular chip-scale imaging, using "thermal diodes".I wonder how much they want for these, and when they will be available. I've sent an inquiry, let's see if they reply.

author: bap2703
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2019, 07:17:26 am
content: There are a few more images in the PDF version available through your link.The example image occupies a suspiciously low range of the gray palette.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2019, 10:49:33 am
content: Mitsubishi CIR C was the space rated camera that was built using the ‘new’ thermal diode technology found in the MIR8032 module.Information on the CIR C that was flown aboard the Japanese satellite ALOS-2 in 2014.....http://circgs.tksc.jaxa.jp/about_circ_e.htmlThey built a 640 x 480 FPA that is illuminated with a 12 Degree HFOV lens. It’s purpose is stated as forest fire detection but there is also comment elsewhere on it being used for missile launch detection !A sample image from CIR C is attached.So this ‘new’ technology was developed pre 2014 and sadly took this long to reach the open market. Higher resolution FPA’s are clearly a possibility and to survive a rocket insertion into orbit that FPA pixel structure is pretty rugged, despite its fragile appearance.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2019, 10:55:49 am
content: Airborne test of a CIR C at 750m and 1000m altitude.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2019, 11:14:08 am
content: Also, regarding Mitsubishi...... though not particularly well known in the West for their thermal imaging technology, they are past masters of such and also produce ‘cutting edge’ visible light and IR camera technology. The last well known Mitsubishi thermal camera was a Stirling cooled unit that produced amazing imagery considering its era of production. Mitsubishi are a very clever and capable camera design and production company.Full details of the Cooled high resolution camera design are to be found here......https://spie.org/Publications/Proceedings/Paper/10.1117/12.978590?SSO=1Sci Hub can help if you want to read the article for non commercial use and personal interest(I am not advocating piracy.... honest)https://sci-hub.tw/The models that I knew of were the IR-5120B and It’s Mk II version.Stirling Cycle Cooled 512 x 512 pixel staring FPA ..... truly impressive for 1988I have grabbed some pictures of the camera from the internet and included some sellers pictures from a current eBay auction.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2019, 11:39:20 am
content: Images from MIR8032 are starting to appear on the internet. They are, as expected, very pixelated..... but hopefully Mitsubishi might consider releasing higher resolution modules with, hopefully, better optics.https://www.radiolocman.com/news/new.html?di=600599It will be interesting to see the unit pricing compared to the FLIR Lepton as I see that as its main consumer application competition.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2019, 11:43:46 am
content: Datasheet is to be found here.....http://www.mitsubishielectric.com/semiconductors/content/product/driversensor/infraredsensor/mir8032a1_001.pdfThe HFOV of 78 Degrees is not great for only 80 pixels. The aspect ratio of the FPA is also pretty weird. This device is clearly aimed at the ‘intelligent sensor’ area of the marketplace, rather than thermal camera imaging for the masses. Also, note the NeTD spec shows better than 100mK at a mere 4 frames per second! This sensor array is Slooooooow.Mitsubishi state the main applications are....Crime prevention / Surveillance systems / People-counting systems / Smart building system / Air conditioner / OtherFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2019, 11:59:27 am
content: Noting the ”people counting” application..... this is perfect use of such a low resolution thermal imaging sensor. IRISYS (FLUKE) are past masters in the field of thermal image based people counting and tracking. They designed and built their own thermopile sensor array in the UK to overcome USA restrictions on the technology. The first ‘Redeye’ Sensor was a 16 x 16 pixel FPA but this progressed to the 32 x 32 pixel and 47 x 47 pixel arrays. These are still current technology and used in the well respected IRISYS people counting and tracking systems. Such are used in many retail applications to both track customer shopping numbers and browsing habits. They are also used for checkout till queue monitoring and management. There is a surprisingly large market for the IRISYS technology, hence why FLUKE bought IRISYS.https://www.irisys.net/Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2019, 12:41:48 pm
content: More new thermal imaging pixel technology coming out of the Mitsubishi R&D team .......http://image-sensors-world.blogspot.com/2019/03/mitsubishi-develops-mwir-and-lwir.htmlUncooled MWIR and LWIR sensors using Graphene.Fraser