Thermal image sensor targets outdoor leisure market

2nd September 2015

ULIS

Siobhan O'Gorman

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One of the first thermal image sensors designed in accordance with JEDEC standards for SMT assembly has been released by ULIS. The Pico384 Gen2 is, therefore, compatible with standard industrial integration and handling processes for high volume production, such as robotic pick and place and oven reflow. As an SMD, the device enables thermal camera makers to further automate their assembly lines, lower the cost of integration and thereby boost production.

The need to produce higher volumes of Personal Vision Systems (PVS) stems from a growing demand for thermal imaging equipment used for outdoor leisure activities. The demand is up by 24% per year, until 2020.

Pico384 Gen2 is suitable for outdoor leisure applications, such as nature observation, wildlife watching, tracking game, camping and hiking. With QVGA resolution (384x288px) and exceptional image quality, users of thermal equipment designed with the sensor will be able to observe animals in complete darkness from a distance of several hundred meters.

The device offers low power consumption of less than 220mW with integrated ADC and DACs for improved battery life. This makes the Pico384 Gen2 attractive for other portable applications like thermography, firefighting and surveillance.

“Pico384 Gen2 with SMT capabilities has overcome one of the camera industry's major hurdles in producing thermal imaging equipment in high volume,” said Sebastien Tinnes, Senior Product Manager, ULIS. “Since it also uses standard fully digital interfaces and an ambient temperature calibration process, camera makers have fewer integration steps to manage. This means they can develop thermal equipment within reduced timeframes, thus speed their time-to-market. We anticipate a positive response to Pico384 Gen2 from the outdoor leisure market. We also believe that this new product will help pave the way towards lowering the cost of thermal cameras, opening up new applications in other professional and leisure markets.”

The device will be displayed at the China International Optoelectronic Expo (CIOE) in Shenzhen (China), one of the largest shows of its kind in the world and celebrating its 17th year. CIOE brings the most advanced optoelectronics technologies and innovations to thousands of visitors annually.