Thermal Imaging Camera DIY 110 VS Buy 530 DIY or Buy
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Date: 2021-08-01
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Comments and reviews: 10
slimhazard
You can adjust the emissivity coefficient on the mlx90640, it s there in the mathematical treatise, but evidently the software that was adapted doesn t support that. I always notice that the DIY versions of thermal imaging are highly pixelated, which makes we wonder if they could be improved at least a bit with some image processing. That probably precludes the use of a microcontroller to do the job. I have one of those Melexis cameras on the shelf, with the idea of feeding the raw data into gstreamer (on a microprocessor of course) to at least get some anti-aliasing, maybe some edge detection, maybe more. You can t get more resolution out of an image than it has in the first place (this isn t CSI: IR, so the result won t ever be as good as something like the Flir, but it would be interesting to find out how much improvement could be gained from post-processing. (The project is on my todo list, to be done Real Soon Now (tm)
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You can adjust the emissivity coefficient on the mlx90640, it s there in the mathematical treatise, but evidently the software that was adapted doesn t support that. I always notice that the DIY versions of thermal imaging are highly pixelated, which makes we wonder if they could be improved at least a bit with some image processing. That probably precludes the use of a microcontroller to do the job. I have one of those Melexis cameras on the shelf, with the idea of feeding the raw data into gstreamer (on a microprocessor of course) to at least get some anti-aliasing, maybe some edge detection, maybe more. You can t get more resolution out of an image than it has in the first place (this isn t CSI: IR, so the result won t ever be as good as something like the Flir, but it would be interesting to find out how much improvement could be gained from post-processing. (The project is on my todo list, to be done Real Soon Now (tm)
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Ian
This is a great project. The outcome might seem a little disappointing, but it does show you what will be possible in a couple of years when higher resolution sensors become available at a more affordable price. Perhaps some of the limitations of the sensor you noticed will be possible to overcome with more sophisticated software or faster processors (like a Raspberry Pi or similar. They could certainly have multiple cameras. Although until the cost of the sensors come down anyone with a practical use for one is going to be better off buying a commercial unit. I was interested to find out, however, that IR sensors were available.
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This is a great project. The outcome might seem a little disappointing, but it does show you what will be possible in a couple of years when higher resolution sensors become available at a more affordable price. Perhaps some of the limitations of the sensor you noticed will be possible to overcome with more sophisticated software or faster processors (like a Raspberry Pi or similar. They could certainly have multiple cameras. Although until the cost of the sensors come down anyone with a practical use for one is going to be better off buying a commercial unit. I was interested to find out, however, that IR sensors were available.
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Comfort
Commercial thermal cameras have a regular camera along with thermal camera. Both images are superimposed to give a more realistic image with well defined edges. I think Flir has a patent for this technique. Seek brand has higher resolution thermal sensor, but since they do not use regular image superimpose technique, their thermal image does not look very well defined.
Another fun fact is the refresh rates of commercially available thermal cameras are kept very low to prevent their use in heat seeking autonomous devices.
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Commercial thermal cameras have a regular camera along with thermal camera. Both images are superimposed to give a more realistic image with well defined edges. I think Flir has a patent for this technique. Seek brand has higher resolution thermal sensor, but since they do not use regular image superimpose technique, their thermal image does not look very well defined.
Another fun fact is the refresh rates of commercially available thermal cameras are kept very low to prevent their use in heat seeking autonomous devices.
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Abhimanyu
Bro am beginner in electronics. I wanted to make my 3v battery powered multimeter into rechargeable I tried many ways but I I can't find one. because when I use an lithium ion battery it's voltage would be 4. 2 volt it's to much for multimeter and it will burn my multimeter and when look for step down converter it wanted an input voltage is above 4. 5 volt so pls help me to fix this problem and give constant 3v to multimeter and also rechargeable.
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Bro am beginner in electronics. I wanted to make my 3v battery powered multimeter into rechargeable I tried many ways but I I can't find one. because when I use an lithium ion battery it's voltage would be 4. 2 volt it's to much for multimeter and it will burn my multimeter and when look for step down converter it wanted an input voltage is above 4. 5 volt so pls help me to fix this problem and give constant 3v to multimeter and also rechargeable.
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Thank
Nowadays there some mobile phone released with thermal imaging camera. Also portable thermal imaging with usb type c or micro usb thermal imaging cameras are available pretty promising. Eletroboom also has reviewed such a thermal imaging camera called seek thermal imaging camera. These are compact device. After seen his review I have bought one and works great. My point here is those hand held commercial one is larger and difficult to carry around.
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Nowadays there some mobile phone released with thermal imaging camera. Also portable thermal imaging with usb type c or micro usb thermal imaging cameras are available pretty promising. Eletroboom also has reviewed such a thermal imaging camera called seek thermal imaging camera. These are compact device. After seen his review I have bought one and works great. My point here is those hand held commercial one is larger and difficult to carry around.
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MegaSteamfreak
Sure, the resolution of the DIY version is not the same but a bit of upscaling and anti-aliasing could help.
Also writing code for high fps display applications is always hopeless with arduino because the libraries are god damn slow.
Rather use the micros DMA or even the special display interface bus that this display controller has.
For this kind of project a STM32 with LCD interface would be a better choice.
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Sure, the resolution of the DIY version is not the same but a bit of upscaling and anti-aliasing could help.
Also writing code for high fps display applications is always hopeless with arduino because the libraries are god damn slow.
Rather use the micros DMA or even the special display interface bus that this display controller has.
For this kind of project a STM32 with LCD interface would be a better choice.
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Henner
Adding a simple regular camera and adding edge enhanced overlay would only be a few more, and would provide an experience that feels visually more higher-res. Also emissivity can be easily programmed into the software. These would be fun additions but given the price per pixel is much higher DIY in this thermal sensor, BUY is a good conclusion for a goal of a practical device.
I like your DIY vs. BUY series.
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Adding a simple regular camera and adding edge enhanced overlay would only be a few more, and would provide an experience that feels visually more higher-res. Also emissivity can be easily programmed into the software. These would be fun additions but given the price per pixel is much higher DIY in this thermal sensor, BUY is a good conclusion for a goal of a practical device.
I like your DIY vs. BUY series.
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noBudget
I got the CAT S60 smartphone from a few years ago with build in flir camera. I bought it used for under 200 bucks and am more than sadisfied by it! Not only has it exact same sensor than the flir standalone device but also its incredibly stable, really waterproof, the normal camera is way good enough and the fing battery last for THREE DAYS! Its one of the best, if not the best purchases I ever made
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I got the CAT S60 smartphone from a few years ago with build in flir camera. I bought it used for under 200 bucks and am more than sadisfied by it! Not only has it exact same sensor than the flir standalone device but also its incredibly stable, really waterproof, the normal camera is way good enough and the fing battery last for THREE DAYS! Its one of the best, if not the best purchases I ever made
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Riccardo
10: 00 Is it possible to use a transparent display so that you can see the heatmap overlapped with what you're looking at? Or use a camera and the temperature sensors with overlapping displays (for example the first display shows the live feed from the camera and the second display on top shows the heatmap. There are some interesting videos about these displays from Sean Hodgins and Zack Freedman.
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10: 00 Is it possible to use a transparent display so that you can see the heatmap overlapped with what you're looking at? Or use a camera and the temperature sensors with overlapping displays (for example the first display shows the live feed from the camera and the second display on top shows the heatmap. There are some interesting videos about these displays from Sean Hodgins and Zack Freedman.
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laikkk
Scot, could you try to spend the same amount of money for DIY projects as you would for the buy option?
This would give a real answer if DIY vs buy.
Or a small modification: How much money do you need to spend to match the buy option?
Anyway you doing a great job, I'm from a completely different industry but I'm having a good time while watching your videos.
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Scot, could you try to spend the same amount of money for DIY projects as you would for the buy option?
This would give a real answer if DIY vs buy.
Or a small modification: How much money do you need to spend to match the buy option?
Anyway you doing a great job, I'm from a completely different industry but I'm having a good time while watching your videos.
reply
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