Flir's new "hot FPA" cores? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: vekovoh
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 28, 2019, 04:09:06 pm
content: Hi everyone.I just saw this:https://www.flir.com/products/neutrino-swapc-series/It don't tell what the sensor technology is, I'm just curious, is it hot MCT?Welcome to talk.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2019, 04:48:54 pm
content: Just google “HOT MWIR” and all is explained.https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1326From that page.....“Can you please explain to our readers what a “Hot MWIR detector array” means and the theory behind it?Up until the last five years, mid-wavelength (MWIR) infrared focal plane array sensors historically required cryogenically cooling down to 77°K by the use of liquid nitrogen filled dewars or closed cycle stirling coolers. The advent of high operating temperature (HOT) sensors such as XBn (InAsSb), nBn (two n-type semiconductors sandwiching a barrier layer), SLS (strained layer superlattice) and Lead Selenide (PbSe) over these last five years has allowed the operating temperatures to increase up to 150°K. The benefits of increased operating temperature of these new High Operating Temperature (HOT) detectors allow the use of smaller, long life Sterling coolers which result in smaller, lighter and lower powered cameras commonly referred to as meeting SWaP (size, weight and power) requirements for integrating into airborne gimbal payloads or fixed mounted continuous monitoring systems. These developments are critical in applications such unmanned aerial and ground vehicles, portable handheld devices and even helmet mounted systems.”End of quote.Fraser

author: Ben321
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2019, 04:40:36 am
content: Quote from: vekovoh on January 28, 2019, 04:09:06 pmSo that means it doesn't need to be cooled as much, so the cooling unit can be cheaper? Sounds like they can now compensate with additional electronics? Or are they using a different sensor material? Hopefully it will make MWIR cameras become more affordable and less prone to malfunction (like mechanical coolers can cause).

author: vekovoh
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 29, 2019, 04:26:45 pm
content: Thank you Fraser, this one seems even hotter that works at 23C...What do you think the sensor material is?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2019, 05:26:48 pm
content: I think you have misread the specs. The 23C is the ambient temperature in which the core is running. As the cooler is a differential temperature device, ambient temperature directly influences its ability to cool the sensor array. The ambient temperature will influence the cool down period and power consumption of the core. In cool down mode the core draws 8W whilst in ‘maintain’ mode the core draws 4W in an ambient 23C. If the Ambient is far warmer than 23C, the cool down period can be longer and the cooler also has to work harder to maintain the 150K operating temperature. Power consumption increases. Such details are important in power budget calculations. The core uses a high reliability oscillating linear piston design to cool the sensor down to 150K. This type of cooler uses far fewer moving parts and does not have the rotary bearings and flexture so these reliability liabilities are removed.Fraser