Uncooled Camera Photon 160

Photon Camera Brochure

Photon 160 is a new, reduced resolution variant of the popular Photon 320. This version is, in part, a replacement product for FLIR’s Micron 160x120 camera (also known as the A10, and originally called the Omega).

FLIR’s uncooled VOx microbolometer arrays operate without a TEC over a temperature range of -40 to +80 degrees C. Photon cameras are shock-rated to 70 g’s and have been field-proven to withstand much greater impacts. Both analog (NTSC or PAL) and 8- or 14-bit digital video formats are enabled, as well as RS-232 control of camera functions, image polarity, gain/offset, image colorization, etc.

Along with a lens-lens core version, two lens options are supported: 6.3mm; and 19mm. See the Optics Table tab for detailed lens information.

The accessories for the Photon 160 are identical to those of the Photon 320.

The Photon 160 cameras operate at a 30 Hz (25 Hz PAL) frame rate. For cameras that will be exported or re-exported outside of the United States, FLIR offers a “slow video” option that exempts the camera from export license requirements. The slow video frame rates are 7.5 Hz for NTSC and 8.3 Hz for PAL. Digital video is generated at 8- or 14-bit resolution at the equivalent analog video frame rate of the camera. For more information about digital data acquisition options, click here. 

A single interface connector facilitates power in, analog and digital video out, RS-232 communication for command and control of the camera, and external sync. All Photon cameras can operate autonomously: all the user has to do is provide power, get video. FLIR’s sophisticated on-board signal processing takes care of optimizing the image under any conditions.

Many common camera controls are brought out in software program called the Photon GUI (graphical user interface), which is available for download at the Software Updates page. The GUI can be freely downloaded and run without needing a camera to see the various camera commands that are available. FLIR also provides an extensive command set for customers that want more control of camera features and functions, and a Photon Software Developer’s Kit (SDK) is offered for those customers that want to develop their own custom interface to the camera. In fact, the GUI that FLIR makes available is an example of a control program developed with the Photon SDK.

For customers that need higher resolution, FLIR offers its Photon 640 and Photon 320.

FLIR designs, manufactures, and assembles all its critical camera components in-house, from the readout integrated circuits (ROICs), to the focal plane array sensors, and final Photon camera assembly, test, and calibration.