Delete thread - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: hcso2332
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 17, 2013, 03:06:06 pm
content: Delete

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 04:13:08 pm
content: Hiya,I have experience of high end thermal cameras in the UK. I fear that you have quite a challenge ahead of you. The manufacturer is not permitted to provide any ITAR liable technical details as you may be aware. In the USA this is taken very seriously even when the owner is a US Citizen. Some systems, possibly yours, are considered military hardware and may only be disposed of in an inert state. The lack of software renders the unit inert as it is likely that it will be a symbiotic relationship. In defence equipment it is not unusual to have encrypted key access requirements to prevent use by unauthorised persons.A coder would really need in depth knowledge of the hardware and its needs from the software in order to be activated. The bad news is that such information will likely not be releasable to a member of the public and if it is miraculously written then the coder could be liable for inadvertently releasing ITAR liable technology detail via the software.You really need to establish the ITAR status of your cameras before engaging in any software development or reverse engineering. Its a bit of a mine field...... a bit like owning an M1 Abrams Tank and wishing to enable its Government disabled weaponry and targeting systemsIt then becomes a capable weapon and so a potential threat.For information, in the UK, your type of thermal cameras would likely have to be made inert by physical destruction, and would not find their way into public hands except by accident.The cameras do contain some valuable Germanium optics and a decent Stirling cryogenic detector cooler. Depending upon when last serviced, the Stirling cooler may be at the end of its operational life due to helium leakage past the seals. Re-gassing is a specialist operation and usually involves a cooler rebuild as well. Consider this before investing a lot of money in the units.I regret I cannot provide specific comment on your units needs or any technical detail on the hardware.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2014, 04:59:56 pm
content: Is this you ?http://www.ebay.com/itm/Elbit-LORROS-Long-Range-Observation-System-Infrared-FLIR-Thermal-Camera-/271150154302If so I can see why you would wish to reactivate the camera heads.From the auction, the seller is obviously already aware of the ITAR restrictions that apply.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 12:42:14 pm
content: Considering the nice optics, the issues with the cooler, and the fact that the original resolution is only 320x256, I wonder if a more pragmatic approach would simply be to discard the original sensor and replace with a modern microbolometer sensor.Quote...though if the software is primarily about controlling all the motors etc. just replacing it (and some hardware if necessary) with something from scratch may be a viable option.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 01:14:53 pm
content: I bet I am not the only one who wishes Mike was in the US now...

author: plesa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 01:27:32 pm
content: Try to recover the software on PC if the HDD is present. Try something like OnTrack recovery software.And hope that someone during scrap process forgot to wipe the disk out

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 01:29:01 pm
content: He is going there, but might have some issues taking the lot as a carry on onto the flight back to Blighty.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2014, 01:35:54 pm
content: Although fitting an uncooled micro-bolometer engine would be a possible option, the down side would be teh reduction in thermal sensitivity of the detector. Cooled detectors are way more sensiive and so need smaller optical blocks for a given range capability. An uncooled micro-bolometer engine would require far greater diameter Germanium optics to achieve teh same performance.If it were to be just a case of making a useable thermal camera from a scrap one, then the splicing of an enhanced FLIR E4 or a FLIR TAU might be an option. Consideration must also be given to the high performance AR coating on the lenses as well. These are designed for shortwave thermal operation according to the specs. Losses at the longer wavelengths used by the likes of the E4 could be high.These would make great project units but at $100,000 they are too rich for me. You can buy one heck of a high performance modern thermal camera for that sort of money anyway, so this is a truly specialist product for long range working.