FLIR M-Series User manual

M-Series
432-0003-00-10
Revision 100
June 2009 Operator’s Manual

© FLIR Systems, Inc., 2009. All rights reserved worldwide. No parts of this manual, in whole
or in part, may be copied, photocopied, translated, or transmitted to any electronic medium or
machine readable form without the prior written permission of FLIR Systems, Inc.
Names and marks appearing on the products herein are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of FLIR Systems, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, trade names,
or company names referenced herein are used for identification only and are the property of
their respective owners.
This product is protected by patents, design patents, patents pending, or design patents
pending.
The M-Series thermal imaging system is controlled by US export laws. There are special
versions of this system that are approved for international distribution and travel. Please
contact FLIR Systems if you have any questions.
FLIR Systems, Inc.
70 Castilian Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
Phone: [phone].FLIR (+1.888.747.3547)
www.flir.com/maritime
Document Number: 432-0003-00-10, Version 100
Document History
This document is controlled to FLIR Technology Level 2. The information contained in this
document pertains to a dual use product controlled for export by the Export Administration
Regulations (EAR). FLIR trade secrets contained herein are subject to disclosure restrictions as
a matter of law. Diversion contrary to US law is prohibited. US Department of Commerce
authorization is not required prior to export or transfer to foreign persons or parties unless
otherwise prohibited.
Revision Date Comment
100 June 2009 Initial Release

432-0003-00-10 rev 100 M-Series Operator’s Manual 3
Warnings and Cautions ......................................6
System Description ............................................7
Camera Video Options ........................................................... 8
Multiple Camera and JCU Options........................................... 9
JCU Introduction................................................9
Video Display...................................................11
Video Screen Icons ............................................................. 12
SCENE Icons ..................................................................... 13
System Startup ...............................................15
The Bootup Process ............................................................ 15
M-Series Video ................................................................... 19
JCU Power Menu.............................................20
Accessing the Power Menu .................................................. 20
Factory Default Settings ...................................................... 22
System Operation and Configuration...................23
Operation/Configuration Using JCU Buttons .......24
Configuration Menus ........................................26
Video Setup Menu............................................................... 27
Set Symbology.................................................................... 29
User Programmable Button ................................................. 30
System Setup..................................................................... 31
About/Help........................................................................ 34
System Reset Functions ...................................37
JCU Reset ......................................................................... 37
Camera Reset .................................................................... 37
Operation Tips .................................................38
Troubleshooting Tips ........................................40
Custom Network Applications............................43
Contents

4432-0003-00-10 rev 100 M-Series Operator’s Manual
Glossary
Acronym/Term Definition
AGC Automatic Gain Control
ANSI American National Standards Institute
EAR Export Administration Regulations
EMI Electromagnetic Interference
FFC Flat Field Correction
FLIR Forward Looking Infrared
ICD Interface Control Document
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IR Infrared
JCU Joystick Control Unit
NMEA National Marine Electronics Association
P/T Pan/Tilt
PoE Power Over Ethernet
SCTE Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers
VDC Volts, Direct Current
VIS Visible

432-0003-00-10 rev 100 M-Series Operator’s Manual 5
CHAPTER 1 M-Series System
Description
Thank you for buying your new M-Series thermal imaging system. This man-
ual describes the operation of the M-Series camera. If you need help or have
additional questions, call +1.888.747.3547 or [phone] to speak
with our support experts.
This manual includes information about the following topics:
•System Description
•System Startup
•Configuration Menus
•Operation Tips
Refer to the M-Series Installation Guide (FLIR Doc. # 432-0003-00-12) for
information about how to install the camera.

Warnings and Cautions
6432-0003-00-10 rev 100 M-Series Operator’s Manual
For safety, and to achieve the highest levels of performance from the
M-Series system, always follow the warnings and cautions in this manual
when handling and operating the M-Series camera system.
Warning: Warning notices are used in this publication to emphasize that
hazardous voltages, currents, temperatures, or other conditions that could
cause personal injury or death exist with this equipment, or may be associ-
ated with its use.
Caution: Caution notices are used where equipment might be damaged if
care is not taken.
Note: Notes call attention to information that is especially significant to
understanding and operating the equipment
Warnings and Cautions
Warning: Do not use the M-Series imaging system as the primary naviga-
tion system. Use it in conjunction with other navigation aids and a primary
manual navigation system.
Caution: Do not open the M-Series camera unit for any reason. Disassem-
bly of the camera (including removal of the cover) can cause permanent
damage and will void the warranty.
Caution: Be careful not to leave fingerprints on the M-Series’s infrared
camera optics.
Caution: The M-Series requires a power supply of 12-24 VDC. Operating
the camera outside of the specified input voltage range or the specified
operating temperature range can cause permanent damage.
Note: The M-Series IR Thermal Imaging System is an Export Controlled
item. Authorization by the U.S. Government must be obtained prior to
export outside the United States.

432-0003-00-10 rev 100 M-Series Operator’s Manual 7
System Description
System Description
M-Series is a maritime thermal imaging and visible-light camera system for
use on nearly any kind of vessel. It uses a thermal imager to provide night-
time imagery and a visible-light camera for imagery during the day and in
low-light conditions.
The infrared (IR) camera provides a clear video image even under completely
dark conditions because it is sensitive to thermal infrared energy. The inte-
grated lowlight video camera provides enhanced navigational abilities during
twilight hours, when operating along intercoastal waterways, and near har-
bor entrances.
The M-Series consists of two main components: the gimbal assembly1(also
known as the camera unit) and the Joystick Control Unit (JCU). In this man-
ual, the term “camera” may refer to the entire camera unit/gimbal assem-
bly, or it may refer specifically to either the thermal camera or the visible
camera, depending on the context in which it is used.
In some installations, additional cameras and JCUs will also be used, and
networking equipment such as Power Over Ethernet switches may be used
to interconnect these components.
M-Series Gimbal Assembly
The Gimbal Assembly has a pan/tilt mechanism that allows the camera to
rotate continuously 360° in azimuth, and to tilt plus or minus 90° in eleva-
tion. The camera unit houses both of the M-Series imaging sensors: a mid-
range thermal infrared camera, and a black and white daylight/lowlight
camera.
The thermal infrared camera uses an uncooled vanadium oxide (VOx) detec-
tor sensitive to long-wave infrared (LWIR) energy and incorporates a 35mm
lens.
Joystick Control Unit (JCU)
The JCU is used to power up the camera or put it in a standby state, to
operate the pan (rotation) and tilt movement of the camera, and to config-
ure the camera settings by means of on-screen menus. The JCU connects
to the camera over an Ethernet network connection.
The JCU has various buttons on it, an LCD display, and it has a joystick
“puck” which is used to control the pan/tilt movement and to navigate
1 A gimbal is a pivoted support that allows the rotation of an object (such as a ship’s
compass) about a single axis.
Base
Ball
Side
Cover
Bezel
Yoke
Pan/Tilt Camera Unit
Joystick Control Unit

System Description
8432-0003-00-10 rev 100 M-Series Operator’s Manual
through the on-screen menus. The puck can be rotated in either direction
and it can be moved left and right or forward and back, and it can be
pushed down (like a button) and pulled up.
Other Components
In some installations, the system will be comprised of additional compo-
nents, including additional cameras or JCUs, video equipment, or network
equipment. In a simple installation, the JCU will be directly connected to the
camera with an Ethernet cable. In more complex installations, the camera
and JCU will be interconnected by means of a network switch. If the net-
work switch does not have Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability, a PoE injec-
tor may be used to provide power to the JCU. FLIR PoE injectors are
available where you purchased your M-Series camera.
Contact FLIR (+1.888.747.3547 or [phone]) for more informa-
tion regarding available accessories including JCUs, PoE equipment, video
distribution amplifiers, cables, connectors, mounting hardware, and so on.
Camera Video Options
The M-Series camera provides two video outputs. One cable, labeled “IR”, is
for the video signal from the thermal (infrared) camera only. The other
cable, labeled “VIS/IR”, is for video from either the thermal camera or the
lowlight (visible) camera; it is switchable from the JCU.
The video from the M-Series camera can therefore be displayed on one or
two video displays. If only a single display with a single video input is avail-
able, the cable labeled “VIS/IR” is connected to the display. If the display
has more than one video input, both video cables can be connected to the
same display. In this type of installation, switching between the thermal and
visible video channels is performed with the display controls, rather than
the JCU.
Ball Up / Ball Down
In most installations, the M-Series will be mounted upright on top of a
mounting surface, with the pan/tilt base below the camera (this is known
as the “ball up” orientation). Optionally the unit may be hung upside down
(“ball down”). When installed ball down, it is necessary to configure the
camera in the ball down mode, so the video is properly displayed and the
pan/tilt controls operate as expected.
Unless otherwise noted, the information in this manual generally assumes
an upright installation; refer to the Configuration Menus section for infor-
mation about ball down configurations.
Upright installation
(ball up)
Upside down
(ball down)

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JCU Introduction
Multiple Camera and JCU Options
More than one JCU can be used to control the camera, and more than one
display can be used to view the video. Also a single JCU can be used to con-
trol more than one camera.
Most often, the JCU and the video monitor are mounted close together, as
a pair, so the video can be viewed when the camera position (pan or tilt) is
changed with the JCU.
The JCU can be connected to the camera directly with the supplied double-
shielded Ethernet cable. In this case, the JCU draws its power from the
camera. Alternatively, the camera and the JCU can be connected together
via an Ethernet switch; this type of configuration allows more than one cam-
era and/or JCU to be used. The JCU draws its power over the Ethernet, so
a PoE injector or PoE switch is required.
If a single JCU is used to control more than one camera, the user can
select which camera is to be controlled throught a menu on the JCU. In the
LCD display of the JCU, the name of the currently selected camera is dis-
played. When more than one JCU is installed in the system, a camera can
respond to commands from any JCU that is in the system.
JCU Introduction
The JCU is the primary method of control for the M-Series camera. It can
be used to move the camera (pan or tilt), electronically zoom the cameras in
and out, switch between infrared and visible-light cameras, adjust the image
quality, and access the on-screen menus.
This section contains a brief description of the buttons and other features
on the JCU. More detailed descriptions of the buttons and their functions
are provided in the subsequent sections of this manual.
Power/DIM
The Power button is used to “wake up” the camera, causing it to go from
Standby mode to Powered On. It is also used to put the camera back in
Standby mode. The Power button is described in more detail in the System
Startup section.
The Power button is also used to select various levels of brightness of the
JCU display. The JCU controls are backlit to make them easier to see at
night. This button controls the brightness of the JCU backlighting, so you
can adjust it for your comfort. Press this button to cycle through the four
different settings or levels of brightness.
Joystick Control Unit
Puck
Power/DIM Display
Home
Scene
User
Menu
Color

JCU Introduction
10 432-0003-00-10 rev 100 M-Series Operator’s Manual
MENU
The MENU button is used to turn on or off the on-screen menu. When the
on-screen menu is displayed, the joystick puck can be used to navigate
through the menus and select various menu entries. The on-screen menus
are described in the Configuration Menus section.
USER
The USER button is a programmable one-touch button. It is intended to
allow the user to quickly access the most common or favorite settings or
functions.
SCENE
The SCENE button allows the user to toggle through a set of preconfigured
image settings, in order to select the best setting for the given conditions.
Refer to the Operation/Configuration Using JCU Buttons section for more
details about how to use the SCENE button to optimize the video.
COLOR
The COLOR button switches the thermal camera video between a greyscale
mode and a color mode. When viewed at night in the darkness, the factory
default mode uses a red-colored video image that may preserve the user’s
night vision better. The default color setting is selectable by the user.
HOME
The HOME button is used to move the camera to its home position, or it is
used to select a given position as the home position. The Home position is a
programmable preset position - usually straight ahead and level with the
horizon – which operators can use as a reference.
JCU Puck
The JCU Puck functions like a joystick - it can be moved left or right, or fore
and aft, and it can be rotated in either direction. It can also be pushed
down (like a mouse click) or pulled up. It is used to move the pan/tilt posi-
tion of the camera and it is used to navigate through the on-screen menus.
Use the Puck to pivot the M-Series camera left and right and tilt it up and
down.
Pan - Rotate (twist) the puck counterclockwise and the M-Series will pivot
left. Rotate the Puck clockwise and the M-Series will pivot to the right.
Tilt - Push the Puck forward (toward the bow) and the camera will tilt down;
pull it back (toward aft) and the camera will tilt up.