ADVANCED FLIR TAU 2 640 CAMERA OPTIONS - Intel€¦ · 2.advanced flir tau 2 640 camera options The FLIR Tau 2 640 (FLIR) offers several options/ parameters that can be addressed

ADVANCED FLIR TAU 2 640 CAMERA

OPTIONS Version 1.0

ADVANCED FLIR TAU 2 640 CAMERA OPTIONS

© 2017 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved 1

1. CONTENTS 1. CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 1

2. ADVANCED FLIR TAU 2 640 CAMERA OPTIONS .............................................................................. 2

2.1 INSTALLING THE FLIR ASCTEC INFRARED RAW DATA LOGGER FIRMWARE ............. 2

2.2 LOCATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE CONFIGURATION FILE .......................................... 3

2.3 WORKING WITH ISOTHERMS .......................................................................................................... 4

2.4 PERFORMING SURVEY FLIGHTS ..................................................................................................... 6

2.4.1 Flat Field Correction (FFC) ........................................................................................................... 6

2.4.2 Asctec Navigator Settings ........................................................................................................... 6

2.4.3 Panasonic Lumix RGB Settings ................................................................................................. 6

2.5 RECORDING VIDEOS ............................................................................................................................ 7

2.5.1 Changing The Control Layout To Enable Video Recording .......................................... 7

2.5.2 Start And Stop Video Recording .............................................................................................. 8

2.6 CONFIGURATION FILE PARAMETER OVERVIEW ..................................................................... 8

2.7 KNOWN BUGS ...................................................................................................................................... 11

2.7.1 Control Layout: Record-Video / Stop Video Command Via Status Display ....... 11

2.7.2 No Feedback, If Video Recording Is Running, Or Not ................................................... 11

2.7.3 Video Recording Stops When Image Is Triggered ......................................................... 11



2. ADVANCED FLIR TAU 2 640 CAMERA OPTIONS The FLIR Tau 2 640 (FLIR) offers several options/ parameters that can be addressed via a configuration file stored on the FLIR AscTec Infrared Raw Data Logger, that is mounted on the back and part of the FLIR. The options range from basic settings of the live preview video to advanced controls of the automatic gain control. To edit the configuration file, we strongly recommend a text editor such as Notepad++.

Detailed information, about the options and parameter that can be changed, can be found in the FLIR Camera Adjustment Application Note and the Camera Controller User's Guide. Please read those guides first before editing the configuration file.

2.1 INSTALLING THE FLIR ASCTEC INFRARED RAW DATA LOGGER FIRMWARE The FLIR AscTec Infrared Raw Data Logger firmware is delivered in a ZIP file, which contains the firmware (flirsd.atf) and an outbound license (OBL). Please read the OBL before installing the firmware. By installing the FLIR AscTec Infrared Raw Data Logger firmware, you agree to the OBL.

To install the firmware on the FLIR AscTec Raw Data Logger, follow these steps:

1. Take out the SD card of the FLIR camera and insert it into your computer. 2. If necessary, make a backup copy of the SD card content. 3. Format the FLIR SD card (Block size 64K). 4. Copy the unzipped flirsd.atf file onto the FLIR SD card. 5. Unmount the SD card from your computer and take it out. 6. Insert the SD card into the FLIR. 7. With the Inspection Payload attached, turn the flight system on. 8. Wait 60 seconds. 9. Trigger one image. 10. Turn the flight system off. 11. Remove the FLIR SD card from the FLIR camera. 12. Insert the SD card into your computer. 13. Delete the file flirsd.atf. 14. Open the FLIR image in AscTec Thermal Viewer or AscTec Navigator. 15. Check the FLIR AscTec Infrared Raw Data Logger version in the image info tab. It must

show the latest version. 16. Unmount the SD card from your computer and take it out. 17. Insert the SD card into the FLIR. 18. Check all camera functions before the next flight.



2.2 LOCATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE CONFIGURATION FILE • The configuration file named FLIRSD.CFG is stored on the top level of the micro SD

card of the FLIR. • If no configuration file is stored on the SD card, a new one with default settings is

generated the next time the FLIR is powered on. • The configuration file is structured as follows:

o Two hash characters ‘##’ mark a comment or explanation o A single hash character ‘#’ marks a parameter that can be changed o To set a parameter active, remove the hash character ‘#’ and set the value o The parameters are grouped by functionality, a group is marked via headline

with three slashes ‘///’ o Each parameter is displayed with a headline, description and possible values

as follows:

LINE DESCRIPTION

## /// PARAMETER FOR VIDEO LIVE PREVIEW AND PALETTE ///

Group headline.

## Isotherm Mode Name of parameter. ## If activated, lower, middle and upper threshold must be set for correct display

Short explanation of the parameter.

## 0 : disable (default) Possible values for the parameter. ## 1 : enable # isotherm = 1 Inactive parameter. Even though the value

is set to '1' (enable), the Isotherm mode is not active. To activate, the leading '#' has to be removed.

isotherm = 1 Active parameter. Isotherm mode is activated.

o Several parameters are interdependent. E.g. when activating the Isotherm

Mode, at least the three basic isotherm thresholds have to be set (check the table below for more information).



2.3 WORKING WITH ISOTHERMS The FLIR provides an isotherm feature. When enabled, temperatures above user set thresholds are mapped to different portions of the set color palette.

The parameters to configure the isotherm mode are located under the parameter for video live preview and palette group. The following parameters have to be set:

PARAMETER HEADLINE

EXPLANATION POSSIBLE VALUES

PARAMETER

Isotherm Mode Activates the isotherm mode. If activated, lower, middle and upper threshold must be set for correct display.

0 : disable (default) 1 : enable

isotherm = 0

Isotherm Threshold Unit

Specify if the threshold is either set in degree Celsius or in percentage of full-scale of the temperature symbol bar.

0: percentage (default) 1: degree Celsius

isotherm_unit = 0

Lower Isotherm Threshold

Pixels with values between lower and middle threshold are mapped to shades 128 to 175.

Percentage range: 0 - 100 Temperature range: -40 - 1000 °C

isotherm_threshold_1 = 0

Middle Isotherm Threshold

Pixels with values between middle and upper threshold are mapped to shades 176 to 223.



Upper Isotherm Threshold

Pixels with values above upper threshold are mapped to shades 224 to 255.



Additional Isotherm Threshold

Available for FLIR Tau 2.7, saturation value, pixels with higher values will be mapped to the top shade of the palette (255). This threshold is optional.





Example image:

This screenshot was created using the following parameter settings:

## Isotherm Mode ## If activated, lower, middle and upper threshold must be set for correct display ## 0 : disable (default) ## 1 : enable isotherm = 1

## Isotherm Threshold Unit ## Specify if the threshold is either set in degree Celsius or in percentage of full-scale of the temperature symbol bar

## 0: percentage (default) ## 1: degree Celsius

isotherm_unit = 1 ## Lower Isotherm Threshold ## Pixels with values between lower and middle threshold are mapped to shades 128 to 175 ## 0 ... ??? isotherm_threshold_1 = 25 ## Middle Isotherm Threshold ## Pixels with values between middle and upper threshold are mapped to shades 176 to 223 ## 0 ... ??? isotherm_threshold_2 = 50 ## Upper Isotherm Threshold ## Pixels with values above upper threshold are mapped to shades 224 to 255 ## 0 ... ??? isotherm_threshold_3 = 60 ## Additional Isotherm Threshold ## Available for FLIR Tau 2.7, saturation value, pixels with higher values will be mapped to the top shade of the palette (255) ## 0 ... ??? # isotherm_threshold_4 = 0



2.4 PERFORMING SURVEY FLIGHTS 2.4.1 Flat Field Correction (FFC)

For survey flights, we found that enabling the flat field correction (FFC) after every triggered image leads to better results. To activate this option, the following parameter has to be set:

PARAMETER HEADLINE EXPLANATION

POSSIBLE VALUES PARAMETER

auto flat field correction (FFC) after every photo

Forces the FLIR to perform a FFC after every triggered image.

0 : disable (default) 1 : enable

ffc_every_photo = 1

2.4.2 Asctec Navigator Settings

The time the FLIR needs to perform a FFC varies. We recommend planning a minimum of 2 seconds. Apart from that, the FLIR theoretically is capable of triggering 9 images per second.

To plan a survey flight with the AscTec Navigator, we currently recommend adjusting the process time of the camera template to 2500 ms. Please check the AscTec Navigator Manual on how to do that.

2.4.3 Panasonic Lumix RGB Settings

The Panasonic RGB camera has a different lens compared to the FLIR and therefore a different field of view (FOV). To get a similar FOV for both cameras, the Panasonic camera has to be set to a focal length of 50 mm. To do that, the zoom function setting has to be changed:

1. Start the camera. 2. Press Menu/Set. 3. Got to Setup and confirm with Menu/Set. 4. Scroll to page 2 using the scroll wheel, Zoom Lever Set, confirm with Menu/Set. 5. Activate Step Zoom and confirm with Menu/Set. 6. Exit the menu via pressing two times the recycle bin.

With this setting, when using the zoom of the Panasonic camera, the zoom will stop at predefined focal lengths.

Apart from this setting, other camera basics for survey flights apply:

• Preferably use manual focus, especially with homogenous motifs with little details and structures.

• Fly with a fixed aperture for best photogrammetry results. • Check that the shutter speed is not slower than 1/640 sec. to ensure sharp images.



• Keep ISO at a minimum, and preferably fixed for best photogrammetry results. • Use manual camera mode (M) or aperture priority mode (A).

2.5 RECORDING VIDEOS 2.5.1 Changing The Control Layout To Enable Video

Recording

To enable the recording of videos, the control layout has to be remapped. The parameters to configure the control layout are located under the control layout group.

The following table contains a suggestion on how to remap the control layout for video recording. It will map starting the recording on the trigger of the left stick, and stopping on the zoom rec up switch. Please keep in mind that triggering a photo, or FFC will not be possible with this layout:

PARAMETER HEADLINE

EXPLANATION POSSIBLE VALUES

PARAMETER

assign new command to take-photo-command (trigger on the left control stick)

Change the assigned function of the trigger on the left control stick of the MGS.

As described in the configuration file. Default: 112: take photo Change to: 118: start video recording

command_remap_photo = 118

assign new command to FFC-switch-command

Change the assigned function of the Zoom/Rec switch up of the MGS.

As described in the configuration file. Default: 99: ffc – trigger flat field correction Change to: 115: stop video recording

command_remap_ffc = 115



2.5.2 Start And Stop Video Recording

When the controls are remapped to enable video recording (and stopping), a video will be recorded after pressing the corresponding button:

1. To start video recording, press the button on the MGS, where start video recording (118) is mapped to.

a. The Status Display will show TRG for a short time, indicating that the AscTec Falcon 8 received the trigger command and the video is started.

2. To stop the video recording, press the button on the MGS, where stop video recording (115) is mapped to.

a. The Status Display will again show TRG for a short time and the video recording is stopped.

TRG shown right below flight mode.

During the recording of a video, there is no feedback indicating that the recording is actually running.

2.6 CONFIGURATION FILE PARAMETER OVERVIEW The table below contains a list of all currently available options and parameters. For more information please refer to the FLIR Camera Adjustment Application Note and the Camera Controller User's Guide.

To reset the default parameter settings and generate a new FLIRSD.CFG, delete the FLIRSD.CFG from the SD card, and power up the FLIR. A new configuration file will be stored on the SD card.



CATEGORY PARAMETER DESCRIPTION

Time Lapse time lapse mode Enable or disable the time lapse mode by setting the triggering interval.

Parameter for Video Live Preview and Palette

video output Enable or disable the live video preview.

video output format Change the output format of the live video preview.

Palette for analog video output

Set the default color palette for the live video preview.

Isotherm Mode Enable or disable the isotherm mode in the live video preview. If enabled, the isotherm palette will be used to color the preview video.

Isotherm Threshold Unit

Specify if lower, middle and upper isotherm thresholds are set in degree Celsius or in percentage of full-scale of the temperature symbol bar

Lower Isotherm Threshold Pixels with values between lower and middle threshold are mapped to shades 128 to 175

Middle Isotherm Thershold Pixels with values between middle and upper threshold are mapped to shades 176 to 223

Upper Isotherm Threshold Pixels with values above upper threshold are mapped to shades 224 to 255

Additional Isotherm Threshold

Available for FLIR Tau 2.7, saturation value, pixels with higher values will be mapped to the top shade of the palette (255)

Spot Meter Spot meter mode

Set the unit in which the temperature at the center of the image is measured to degree Celsius or Fahrenheit.

Spot meter display Change the display options for the spot meter mode.

Control Layout assign new command to ... Remap the control layout by changing the assigned functions.

Automatic Gain Control (ACG) Settings

AGC algorithm

Set the algorithm that is used to convert 14-bit sensor data to 8-bit output data of the video preview. Different AGC algorithms rely on different parameter.

Active Contrast Enhancement (ACE) Threshold

Please check the FLIR Camera Adjustment Application Note for more details.

Smart Scene Optimization (SSO) Value

Please check the FLIR Camera Adjustment Application Note for more details. Corresponds to SSO value

Tail Rejection percentage Please check the FLIR Camera Adjustment Application Note for more details.

Brightness Bias Please check the FLIR Camera Adjustment Application Note for more details.

Contrast Value Please check the FLIR Camera Adjustment Application Note for more details.

Brightness Please check the FLIR Camera Adjustment Application Note for more details.

Information Threshold Please check the FLIR Camera Adjustment Application Note for more details.

CATEGORY PARAMETER DESCRIPTION



Logging and Monitoring Functions

Log Level Activate logging for troubleshooting. Only to be activated when asked by support staff.

Capture internal test images Enable or disable the creation of test images on the SD card. Only to be activated when asked by support staff.

Advanced Features

external sync mode Please check the Camera Controller User's Guide for more details.

T-linear Please check the Camera Controller User's Guide for more details.

Sensor gain Please check the Camera Controller User's Guide for more details.

Switch to low sensor gain at Please check the Camera Controller User's Guide for more details.

Switch back to high sensor gain at

Please check the Camera Controller User's Guide for more details.

Temperature sensor read interval

Time interval to read out the sensors temperature that is used to switch between sensor gain modes.

Trigger delay in ms Set a delay time after which a picture will be triggered when a trigger command was received.

File size before a new video file is created

File size is set in bit.

Maximum number of files per directory

When reaching the maximum number of files, a new directory will be created. Default: 128 files per directory.

over clock sdcard interface Do not change this value. checksum calculation for higher frame rate

Do not change this value.

Baud rate for communication with flight system


Image encoding for uart transmission


Write images to sd-card Do not change this value. Send image data over uart Do not change this value.

ffc_period_high_gain Sets the interval between automatic FFC is triggered in high gain mode. Set in frames.

ffc_period_low_gain Sets the interval between automatic FFC is triggered in low gain mode. Set in frames.

ffc_temp_delta_high_gain

Sets the temperature difference used to trigger automatic FFC in high gain mode. Set in 0.1°C. E.g. When set to 5, FFC will be triggered after the sensor temperature changed by 0.5°C.

ffc_temp_delta_low_gain

Sets the temperature difference used to trigger automatic FFC in low gain mode. Set in 0.1°C. E.g. When set to 5, FFC will be triggered after the sensor temperature changed by 0.5°C.

auto flat field correction (FFC) after every photo

Enforce the FFC after every triggered image.



2.7 KNOWN BUGS 2.7.1 Control Layout: Record-Video / Stop Video

Command Via Status Display

The two parameters that describe the commands mapped to the record- and stop video option via Status Display are currently not working. The described menu entry is not shown in the status display.

2.7.2 No Feedback, If Video Recording Is Running, Or Not

At the moment, there is no feedback indicating a video recording. Only when pressing the buttons on the MGS to start or stop recording, the Status Display indicates that the command was successfully sent by showing TRG for a short time.

2.7.3 Video Recording Stops When Image Is Triggered

When a single image is triggered during recording a thermal video, the FLIR stops recording the video. Instead it continuously triggers single images, the Status Display shows this correctly, TRG is flashing. The triggering can be stopped by pressing the stop video command.

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ADVANCED FLIR TAU 2 640 CAMERA OPTIONS - Intel€¦ · 2.advanced flir tau 2 640 camera options The FLIR Tau 2 640 (FLIR) offers several options/ parameters that can be addressed