ADVANCED FLIR TAU CAMERA OPTIONS. Version 1.0

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1 ADVANCED FLIR TAU CAMERA OPTIONS Version 1.0

2 1. CONTENTS 1. CONTENTS ADVANCED FLIR TAU CAMERA OPTIONS INSTALLING THE FLIR ASCTEC INFRARED RAW DATA LOGGER FIRMWARE LOCATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE CONFIGURATION FILE WORKING WITH ISOTHERMS PERFORMING SURVEY FLIGHTS Flat Field Correction (FFC) Asctec Navigator Settings Panasonic Lumix RGB Settings RECORDING VIDEOS Changing The Control Layout To Enable Video Recording Start And Stop Video Recording CONFIGURATION FILE PARAMETER OVERVIEW KNOWN BUGS Control Layout: Record-Video / Stop Video Command Via Status Display No Feedback, If Video Recording Is Running, Or Not Video Recording Stops When Image Is Triggered Intel Corporation. All rights reserved 1

3 2. ADVANCED FLIR TAU CAMERA OPTIONS The FLIR Tau (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 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved 2

4 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 Group headline. PREVIEW AND PALETTE /// ## Isotherm Mode Name of parameter. ## If activated, lower, middle and upper Short explanation of the parameter. threshold must be set for correct display ## 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) Intel Corporation. All rights reserved 3

5 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 Isotherm Mode Isotherm Threshold Unit Lower Isotherm Threshold EXPLANATION Activates the isotherm mode. If activated, lower, middle and upper threshold must be set for correct display. Specify if the threshold is either set in degree Celsius or in percentage of fullscale of the temperature symbol bar. Pixels with values between lower and middle threshold are mapped to shades 128 to 175. POSSIBLE VALUES 0 : disable (default) 1 : enable 0: percentage (default) 1: degree Celsius Percentage range: Temperature range: C PARAMETER isotherm = 0 isotherm_unit = 0 isotherm_threshold_1 = 0 Middle Isotherm Threshold Upper Isotherm Threshold Additional Isotherm Threshold Pixels with values between middle and upper threshold are mapped to shades 176 to 223. Pixels with values above upper threshold are mapped to shades 224 to 255. 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. Percentage range: Temperature range: C Percentage range: Temperature range: C Percentage range: Temperature range: C isotherm_threshold_2 = 0 isotherm_threshold_3 = 0 isotherm_threshold_4 = Intel Corporation. All rights reserved 4

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

6 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 = Intel Corporation. All rights reserved 5

7 2.4 PERFORMING SURVEY FLIGHTS 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 auto flat field correction (FFC) after every photo EXPLANATION Forces the FLIR to perform a FFC after every triggered image. POSSIBLE VALUES 0 : disable (default) 1 : enable PARAMETER ffc_every_photo = 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 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 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved 6

8 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 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 assign new command to take-photocommand (trigger on the left control stick) assign new command to FFC-switchcommand EXPLANATION Change the assigned function of the trigger on the left control stick of the MGS. Change the assigned function of the Zoom/Rec switch up of the MGS. POSSIBLE VALUES As described in the configuration file. Default: 112: take photo Change to: 118: start video recording As described in the configuration file. Default: 99: ffc trigger flat field correction Change to: 115: stop video recording PARAMETER command_remap_photo = 118 command_remap_ffc = Intel Corporation. All rights reserved 7

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.

9 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 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved 8

10 CATEGORY PARAMETER DESCRIPTION Time Lapse time lapse mode Enable or disable the time lapse mode by setting the triggering interval. 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. Specify if lower, middle and upper isotherm Parameter for thresholds are set in degree Celsius or in Isotherm Threshold Unit Video Live Preview percentage of full-scale of the temperature and Palette 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 Spot Meter Additional Isotherm Threshold Spot meter mode Spot meter display Control Layout assign new command to... Automatic Gain Control (ACG) Settings AGC algorithm Active Contrast Enhancement (ACE) Threshold Smart Scene Optimization (SSO) Value Tail Rejection percentage Brightness Bias Contrast Value Brightness Information Threshold Available for FLIR Tau 2.7, saturation value, pixels with higher values will be mapped to the top shade of the palette (255) Set the unit in which the temperature at the center of the image is measured to degree Celsius or Fahrenheit. Change the display options for the spot meter mode. Remap the control layout by changing the assigned functions. 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. Corresponds to SSO value CATEGORY PARAMETER DESCRIPTION 2017 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved 9

11 Logging and Monitoring Functions Advanced Features Log Level Capture internal test images external sync mode T-linear Sensor gain Switch to low sensor gain at Switch back to high sensor gain at Temperature sensor read interval Trigger delay in ms File size before a new video file is created Maximum number of files per directory over clock sdcard interface checksum calculation for higher frame rate Baud rate for communication with flight system Image encoding for uart transmission Write images to sd-card Send image data over uart ffc_period_high_gain ffc_period_low_gain ffc_temp_delta_high_gain ffc_temp_delta_low_gain auto flat field correction (FFC) after every photo Activate logging for troubleshooting. Only to be activated when asked by support staff. Enable or disable the creation of test images on the SD card. Only to be activated when asked by support staff. Please check the Camera Controller User's Guide for more details. Please check the Camera Controller User's Guide for more details. Please check the Camera Controller User's Guide for more details. Please check the Camera Controller User's Guide for more details. Please check the Camera Controller User's Guide for more details. Time interval to read out the sensors temperature that is used to switch between sensor gain modes. Set a delay time after which a picture will be triggered when a trigger command was received. File size is set in bit. When reaching the maximum number of files, a new directory will be created. Default: 128 files per directory. Do not change this value. Do not change this value. Do not change this value. Do not change this value. Do not change this value. Do not change this value. Sets the interval between automatic FFC is triggered in high gain mode. Set in frames. Sets the interval between automatic FFC is triggered in low gain mode. Set in frames. 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. 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. Enforce the FFC after every triggered image Intel Corporation. All rights reserved 10

12 2.7 KNOWN BUGS 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 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 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 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved 11

CONTENTS. Before You Start. Initial Operation. Prepare For Shooting. What's in the Box Camera Parts Display Icons

CONTENTS. Before You Start. Initial Operation. Prepare For Shooting. What's in the Box Camera Parts Display Icons CONTENTS Before You Start What's in the Box Camera Parts Display Icons Initial Operation Install microsd Card & Batteries Power On/ Off Power Saving Mode Set Date & Time Prepare For Shooting Change Capture