PathFindIR Presentation

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FLIR PathFindIR
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Program

• FLIR Company overview
• The Electromagnetic Spectrum
• FLIR PathFindIR
• Other Driver Vision Enhancement Systems
• Image Frequency 9Hz vs. 25Hz
• Installation
• Application Examples
• Summary
• Contact details

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Company Overview

• FLIR Forward Looking Infrared
• Founded in 1978
• Turnover 575 mio (2006)
• Listed at NASDAQ (FLIR)
• 1,419 employees (2006)
• Global sales service
• ISO Certified
• 3 Divisions
• Government Systems
• Thermography
• Commercial Vision System

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Government Systems

• Airborne
• Maritime
• Land Systems
• Force Protection
• Unmanned Payloads

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Thermography

• Predictive Maintenance
• Utilities
• Building Diagnostics
• Manufacturing
• Range Phenomenology
• Science / RD / Testing
• Automation and OEM

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Commercial Vision Systems

• Law Enforcement
• Security Products
• Maritime
• Cores Components
• Aviation
• Vehicle Vision Systems

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Electromagnetic Spectrum (1)
Sir Isaace Newton, 1660

• Newton discovered that
• White light consists of different colors
• Contrary to historic believe light can be divided

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Electromagnetic Spectrum (2)

• Herschels study
• Does temperature change according to color of the
  spectrum?
• Findings
• Blue is coldest, red is the warmst
• Further on the red zone, it is even warmer (
  infrared)

Visible
Ultraviolet
Infrared
Sir William Herschel, 1800
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IR in the Electromagnetic Spectrum

• IR is part of the Electromagnetic Spectrum
• IR radiation looks like light and travels at the
  speed of light (299.793 km/sec)
• IR is not visible for the human eye gt different
  wavelength
• Every object gt-273C (0K) emits thermal
  radiation
• IR is measured in micrometers (µm) micron
  1/1.000.000 meter
• Thermal imaging detects differences in IR
  radiation (heat)

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FLIR / Autoliv / BMW relationship

• Nightvision as option available on BMW 5, 6 7
  Series
• Cores manufactured by FLIR gt further integrated
  by Autoliv
• Autoliv world wide exclusive agreement to supply
  automotive (passenger car) OEMs
• Very successfull 40,000 (2006)
• More automotive OE projects pending

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PathFindIR - Key Specifications

• Technology Thermal imaging (passive)
• Resolution 320 x 240 pixels
• Lens 19 mm
• Field of View 36(H) x 27(V)
• Time to image lt2 sec
• Input voltage 6V to 16V
• Analog Video Output NTSC or PAL
• Operating Temp -40C to 80C
• Automotive Standard IEC-60068-2-11
• Military Standard MIL-STD-810F
• Protective Window Germanium
• Heating element Consumption lt2 watts
• Weight 360 grams

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FLIR PathFindIR

• Thermal imaging allows you to see in total
  darkness.  With PathFindIR, you can see road
  hazards like animals, persons and disabled
  vehicles long before you can see them with
  headlights.

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PathFindIR Detection Range

• See 5x further than with standard lights
• Detect persons, animals, debris, and disabled
  vehicles sooner
• Increase reaction time
• Time to asses the hazard
• Time to plan evasive maneuvers
• Time to reduce speed
• Time to stop the vehicle

Low Beam 100 m
PathFindIR 800 m
High Beam 160 m
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PathFindIR Detection Range
Infrared detection 800 m
High Beam detection 160 m
Low Beam detection 100 m
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PathFindIR Field of View

• Wide field of view (FOV) 36
• Vertical FOV 27
• Wider than headlight FOV
• Detect pedestrians animals before they enter
  the vehicles path

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PathFindIR vs. Visual
See upcoming curves and changes in terrain
See hazards on the side of the road
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PathFindIR vs. Visual
Walking man with dog
Normal Vision
PathFindIR
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PathFindIR vs. Visual
Not Blinded by approaching Headlights
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PathFindIR vs. Visual

• Night driving experience

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PathFindIR Performance in Various Temperatures
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PathFindIR See in Hazardous Conditions

• Detects IR energy through obscurants
• See through smoke
• See through dust
• See better in light-moderate rain
• See better in light fog
• See better in snow

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Other Driver Vision Enhancement Systems

• Xenon Lights
• Same viewing range as normal headlights
• Easy integration
• No additional camera or monitors needed
• Cannot see through smoke, dust etc.
• Image Intensifiers
• Use with head set of bi/monocular
• Always a source of light needed
• Systems shuts down with too much light
• Near Infrared Systems (passive)
• Images appear more natural
• Cameras can be mounted behind glass
• Does not work at all in rain, fog or snow
• Less than half the range of passive systems
• Cameras are relatively inexpensive, but
  illumination sources are expensive.
• Far Infrared Systems (active)

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Other DVEs Active IR Illumination

• Principle of Active Infrared Night Vision
  Systems
• Dedicated illuminators emit IR light. The
  reflection of objects is captured by a special
  camera. The systems operates in the near infrared
  spectrum.
• Pros of NIR (Active)
• Images are more natural and recognizable
• Allows for easier integration of the camera which
  can look thru the glass.
• Signs can be read
• Cameras are less expensive
• Cons of NIR (Active)
• Less than half the range of passive systems
• Does not work at all in rain, fog or snow
• Cameras are relatively inexpensive, but
  illumination sources (modified headlights) are
  expensive.
• Near cameras can blind each other
• Confusing video output many objects emphasized
• Results favored FIR unambiguously
• (University of Michigan - Transportation Research
  Institute)

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Comparison NIR vs. FIR
NIR (active system) FIR
(passive system)
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Other DVEs Systems Image Intensifiers

• Principle of Image Intensifiers
• Any form of (reflected) light will significantly
  by enhanced, which makes object in e.g. moonlight
  visible.
• PathFindIR has many advantages
• No light source needed at all
• Driver not blinded by excess light (e.g.
  approaching vehicle or light post)
• Works both night time and day time
• Ability to see through smoke and dusk
• Comfortable for driver no headset required
• Data recording possible
• Driver can still monitor onboard instruments
  (e.g. GPS, vehicle control panel, other displays)
• Only one forward camera required camera can be
  linked to multiple screens

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Image Frequency

• Full (25Hz) and reduced (9Hz) frame rate
  PathFindIR versions available
• The full frame rate versions are subject to US
  Department of Commerce Export control.
• Export license procedure for full frame versions
  takes one average 8-10 weeks
• Required documents BIS-711 Form End-User
  statement
• The 9 Hz cameras are not US export controlled.
  Advantages
• Shorter delivery times
• Usability worldwide
• No complicated administration
• High resale value
• Rent out camera

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Installation

• Optional 6m cable with BNC connector available
• Analog video output (PAL or NTSC)
• Power requirement 12 Vdc nominal (range 6V to
  12V)
• Power consumption 2W (6W with heater turned on)
• Dimensions (w x h x l) 58mm x 57mm x 72mm
• Connector adds 25.7mm to height
• Mounting points 2 per side, M4x0.7 (6mm screws
  required)
• Lens should have open view cannot be mounted
  behind glass!!!

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PathFindIR kit will be released soon
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Display Examples (not available from FLIR)
Visor 7
Flip Down 7
HUD
In Dash 5-7
Rear View 4.5
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Application Examples

• Military vehicles
• Fire fighting trucks
• Commercial trucks
• Armored vehicles
• Police cars
• Construction vehicles
• Ambulances     
• Mining / heavy duty
• Border control vehicles
• Trains / trams / metro
• Rescue services
• Buses
• ARFF (airport rescue fire fighting)
• Forestry services

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Application Armored Passenger Car
Mercedes S600 by Stoof International GmbH
(Borkheide - D)
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Application Automobiles SUVs
Toyota 4Runner with Pioneer LCD Panel
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Application Army Vehicles
Various examples of integration in military
trucks
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Application Heavy Duty Truck
Euclid dump truck at Anglo American HQ (Coal
Division) in South Africa
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PathFindIR Summary
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www.flir.com
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Thank you