Thermal Cameras

Thermal cameras are devices that form images usingthe heat from an object, which is undetectable to the
infrared radiation which is like a common camera thathuman eye, and converting it into an image that can be
forms an image using visible light. These cameras areobserved. This process does not require any light and
also known as FLIR (Forward Looking InfraRed) or ancan function perfectly even if the surrounding lighting
infrared camera. These cameras operate inconditions is bright or dim. These cameras provide
wavelengths of about 14,000 nm (14 µm) insteadadded vision within the infrared spectrum which in turn
of the 450-750 nanometer range of the visible lightbroadens the vision of objects viewed. In other words,
camera.thermal cameras help in seeing the difference in
Thermal cameras are being increasingly used inthermal temperature of objects viewed. These
applications such as border security, high value sitecameras also help in detecting and interpreting
protection, industrial security, perimeter security, forceemissions and also provide users with images, even in
protection, coastal surveillance, deployable security,conditions of low-visibility or complete darkness.
asset surveillance, port security, airport security andThere are two basic types of thermal cameras viz;
urban surveillance. A thermal camera converts theUn-cooled and Cryogenically cooled. In the former type,
thermal energy emitted from a body into a visiblethe infrared-detector elements are equipped in a unit
image. This image is then represented as athat operates at room temperature. This type of a
thermograph that is a picture of heat.camera does not make any noise, activates
Thermal cameras are much more expensive than theimmediately and has an in-built battery.
visible-spectrum cameras. It is the process of capturing