Interfaces for controlling infrared cameras and external devices through outgoing and incoming signals

Trigger Interface

When using an infrared camera as a measurement system – whether in a laboratory setting or for process monitoring – it is essential to precisely control the timing of image data acquisition. For example, if the camera needs to be controlled externally or synchronized with other hardware, a trigger interface is required to input or output control signals.

Trigger interface for ImageIR® and TarisIR® cameras

The camera's internal trigger interface guarantees high-precision, repeatable, and delay-free triggering, enabling the reliable capture of even very fast processes. For example, in lock-in thermography of a printed circuit board, the excitation and measurement cycles can be precisely synchronised. In process monitoring, an alarm can be triggered automatically when a threshold value is exceeded. Even significantly more complex trigger processes can run in parallel with the measurement data stream with high repeat accuracy and minimal delay.

The trigger interface of ImageIR® cameras supports the processing of both incoming and outgoing analogue signals. For instance, an external voltage signal can be read directly from the camera and this information can be embedded into the thermographic image data.

Processing of trigger signals

Triggering can be performed either via external hardware, InfraTec’s IRBIS® thermography software or through external software tools. For flexible integration of the thermography cameras into user-specific applications, the supplied Software Development Kit (SDK) enables custom expansion. This allows, for instance, the implementation of evaluation algorithms and their use for camera control via software commands. Control signals can be output through the trigger interface or alternatively via Ethernet or USB. The latest high-end models in the ImageIR® series are already equipped with a lightweight internal SDK that provides direct access to key camera functions.

Types of triggering

The trigger signal to be processed is generated either by the infrared camera itself or by external devices. To use the camera’s detector signal for synchronizing other devices, those devices must be connected to an output (OUT) of the trigger interface – the camera operates as the MASTER.
In addition to the detector signal, other signal types such as sine, triangle, or square waves can also be output as triggers.

If an external device is connected to an input (IN) of the camera, its signal, such as an analogue voltage, can act as a trigger. A typical application is external frame synchronization, where image acquisition is controlled by an external clock signal (camera as SLAVE). However, this type of detector synchronization is only suitable for cooled cameras and only at sufficiently high frame rates; otherwise, thermographic artifacts may occur.

Another application involves marking triggers, which can be used to “tag” specific image sequences for evaluation. Alternatively, the system can be configured to record only a defined number of frames following a trigger event.

Relevant Indus­tries & Applic­a­tions

thermal imaging in electronics

Elec­tronics & Elec­trical Engin­eering

Measure temperature distributions of smallest electronic components with infrared cameras.

high-speed thermography

High-Speed Ther­mo­graphy

Get even faster and analyze temperatures at highest process speeds.

additive manufacturing

Additive Manu­fac­turing

By in-line monitoring of thermal process parameters, infrared cameras from InfraTec support the optimisation of additive manufacturing processes.

laser applications

Laser Industry

High-end thermography in heat-generating laser applications in materials processing.

thermal imaging for material testing

Material Testing

Save time and costs by non-destructively testing components with infrared camera systems by InfraTec.

spectral ir thermography

Spec­tral Ther­mo­graphy

Using precision filters for specific applications you will measure exactly those spectral ranges being of interest to you.

InfraTec thermography for electromobility - Picture credits: © shutterstock / asharkyu

Electromobility

Lithium-ion batteries are a key component in the field of electromobility. In order to minimize risks, thermography is used in various areas.

Active Thermography - Picture Credits: © Rainer / Fotolia.com

Active Ther­mo­graphy

Make use of active thermography for non-destructive and contact-free material testing, for both automated inline and offline solutions.

InfraTec Bondung and Sealing - Hot gas

Bonding and Sealing

Users can utilise infrared cameras during bonding and sealing to monitor and control various technological parameters.

thermography for aerial photography

Aerial Ther­mo­graphy

Detect persons and objects in the field or monitor wide-area geologic properties or environmental damages.

Explosion of a firework

Explosion and Combustion Processes

Explosion and combustion processes are highly dynamic processes with large temperature changes that can be analyzed and optimized using high-performance thermography.

Thermography application flow analysis

Flow Analysis

Thermal imaging is one method of observing and analysing flows. This method visualises characteristic thermal signatures which are caused by different heat transfer coefficients.

InfraTec: thermography in agriculture / Picture credits: © iStock-valio84s

Agriculture

Thermographic systems have a wide range of applications in agriculture and precision farming. Be it in plant cultivation, plant research or animal husbandry.

thermal imaging for thermal optimisation

Thermal Optim­isa­tion

Identify possible problems already in the development phase well before serial production.

thermal imaging for automotive applications

Auto­motive Industry

Infrared camera systems help you to secure a high product quality in production and at your suppliers.

thermal imaging in aviation

Aerospace Industry

Comply with highest security demands by applying state-of-the-art infrared camera systems.

thermal imaging in plastic industry

Plastics Industry

Monitor injection molding and extrusion processes cost-effectively with a thermal imaging camera.

Infrared Spectroscopy

Infrared Spec­tro­scopy

In spectroscopes, very special pyroelectric detectors by InfraTec are used. Essential for this application are the uniform absorption characteristics over a wide wavelength range. This is made possible by a special absorption layer on the pyroelectric chip.

Contact to thermography division of InfraTec

Would You Like to Know More?

It is not unusual for tasks to be associated with special requirements. Discuss your specific application needs with our specialists, receive further technical information or learn more about our additional services.

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