Teledyne FLIR A68 Series User manual

FLIR A68/A38 Series
IR Camera User’s Manual
May 18, 2022
www.teledyneflir.com
Teledyne DALSA, a business unit of Teledyne Digital Imaging Inc.
Teledyne FLIR, a business unit of Teledyne Digital Imaging Inc.

Important note
Before operating the device, you must read, understand, and follow all instructions, warnings, cautions, and legal disclaimers.
Důležitá poznámka
Před použitím zařízení si přečtěte veškeré pokyny, upozornění, varování a vyvázání se ze záruky, ujistěte se, že jim rozumíte, a
řiďte se jimi.
Vigtig meddelelse
Før du betjener enheden, skal du du læse, forstå og følge alle anvisninger, advarsler, sikkerhedsforanstaltninger og
ansvarsfraskrivelser.
Wichtiger Hinweis
Bevor Sie das Gerät in Betrieb nehmen, lesen, verstehen und befolgen Sie unbedingt alle Anweisungen, Warnungen,
Vorsichtshinweise und Haftungsausschlüsse
Σημαντική σημείωση
Πριν από τη λειτουργία της συσκευής, πρέπει να διαβάσετε, να κατανοήσετε και να ακολουθήσετε όλες τις οδηγίες,
προειδοποιήσεις, προφυλάξεις και νομικές αποποιήσεις.
Nota importante
Antes de usar el dispositivo, debe leer, comprender y seguir toda la información sobre instrucciones, advertencias,
precauciones y renuncias de responsabilidad.
Tärkeä huomautus
Ennen laitteen käyttämistä on luettava ja ymmärrettävä kaikki ohjeet, vakavat varoitukset, varoitukset ja lakitiedotteet sekä
noudatettava niitä.
Remarque importante
Avant d'utiliser l'appareil, vous devez lire, comprendre et suivre l'ensemble des instructions, avertissements, mises en garde et
clauses légales de non-responsabilité.
Fontos megjegyzés
Az eszköz használata előtt figyelmesen olvassa el és tartsa be az összes utasítást, figyelmeztetést, óvintézkedést és jogi
nyilatkozatot.
Nota importante
Prima di utilizzare il dispositivo, è importante leggere, capire e seguire tutte le istruzioni, avvertenze, precauzioni ed esclusioni
di responsabilità legali.
重要な注意 デバイスをご使用になる前に、あらゆる指示、警告、注意事項、および免責条項をお読み頂き、その内容を理解して従ってくだ さい。
중요한 참고 사항
장치를 작동하기 전에 반드시 다음의 사용 설명서와 경고, 주의사항, 법적 책임제한을 읽고 이해하며 따라야 합니다.
Viktig
Før du bruker enheten, må du lese, forstå og følge instruksjoner, advarsler og informasjon om ansvarsfraskrivelse.
Belangrijke opmerking
Zorg ervoor dat u, voordat u het apparaat gaat gebruiken, alle instructies, waarschuwingen en juridische informatie hebt
doorgelezen en begrepen, en dat u deze opvolgt en in acht neemt.
Ważna uwaga
Przed rozpoczęciem korzystania z urządzenia należy koniecznie zapoznać się z wszystkimi instrukcjami, ostrzeżeniami,
przestrogami i uwagami prawnymi. Należy zawsze postępować zgodnie z zaleceniami tam zawartymi.
Nota importante
Antes de utilizar o dispositivo, deverá proceder à leitura e compreensão de todos os avisos, precauções, instruções e isenções
de responsabilidade legal e assegurar-se do seu cumprimento.
Важное примечание
До того, как пользоваться устройством, вам необходимо прочитать ипонять все предупреждения, предостережения и
юридические ограничения ответственности иследовать им.
Viktig information
Innan du använder enheten måste du läsa, förstå och följa alla anvisningar, varningar, försiktighetsåtgärder och
ansvarsfriskrivningar.
Önemli not
Cihazı çalıştırmadan öncetüm talimatları, uyarıları, ikazları veyasal açıklamaları okumalı, anlamalı vebunlara uymalısınız.
重要注意事项
在操作设备之前，您必须阅读、理解并遵循所有说明、警告、注意事项和法律免责声明。
重要注意事項
操作裝置之前，您務必閱讀、了解並遵循所有說明、警告、注意事項與法律免責聲明

Copyright
© 2022 FLIR Systems, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. No parts of the software
including source code may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed or translated into
any language or computer language in any form or by any means, electronic,
magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise, without the prior written permission of FLIR
Systems.
The documentation must not, in whole or part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced,
translated or transmitted to any electronic medium or machine readable form without
prior consent, in writing, from FLIR Systems.
Names and marks appearing on the products herein are either registered trademarks
or trademarks of FLIR Systems 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.
Legal disclaimer
For warranty terms, refer to https://www.flir.com/warranty.
Quality assurance
The Quality Management System under which these products are developed and
manufactured has been certified in accordance with the ISO 9001 standard.
FLIR Systems is committed to a policy of continuous development; therefore we
reserve the right to make changes and improvements on any of the products without
prior notice.

4•Contents
FLIR A68/A38 Series IR Camera User's Manual
Contents
FIGURES........................................................................................................8
TABLES........................................................................................................10
NOTICE TO USER .........................................................................................11
Disposal of electronic waste................................................................... 11
Training .............................................................................................. 11
Documentation updates ........................................................................ 11
Note about authoritative versions........................................................... 11
CUSTOMER HELP .........................................................................................12
General............................................................................................... 12
Submitting a question........................................................................... 12
Downloads .......................................................................................... 12
FLIR A68/A38 SERIES OVERVIEW...............................................................13
DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................. 13
Key Features ....................................................................................... 13
Teledyne DALSA Development Software.................................................. 14
MODEL PART NUMBERS ................................................................................... 14
FLIR A68 Part Numbers......................................................................... 14
FLIR A38 Part Numbers......................................................................... 14
EXPORT CONTROLS ........................................................................................ 15
FLIR A68/A38 SERIES SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................. 16
A68/A38 SERIES EMI, SHOCK AND VIBRATION CERTIFICATIONS................................. 17
GIGEVISION INTERFACE ................................................................................. 18
GigE Vision Sapera Application Description .............................................. 18
GIGENETWORK ADAPTER OVERVIEW .................................................................. 19
PAUSE Frame Support .......................................................................... 19
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS FOR FLIR A68/A38 SERIES............................................ 19
Host PC System ................................................................................... 19
Software Requirements......................................................................... 20
Ethernet Switch Requirements for FLIR A68/A38 Series ............................ 21
Ethernet to Fiber-Optic Interface Requirements........................................ 22
INTRODUCTION TO MICROBOLOMETERS.....................................................23
Emissivity............................................................................................ 24
QUICK START GUIDE ...................................................................................26
CONNECTING THE FLIR A68/A38 SERIES GIGEVISION CAMERA ................................. 26
FLIR A68/A38 Series Power Specifications ............................................... 26
Steps for Camera Startup...................................................................... 26
FLIR A68/A38 Series Connectors ............................................................ 27
Preventing Operational Faults due to ESD................................................ 27
A68/A38 IP Configuration Sequence ....................................................... 28
CAMERA CONNECTION SETUP ............................................................................ 29
Displaying Images................................................................................ 30
CONTROLLING A68/A38 USING THE SAPERA LT API ............................................... 33
FEATURES AND CONFIGURATION OPTIONS ................................................35
HEAT SINKS ................................................................................................ 36

FLIR A68/A38 Series IR Camera User's Manual
Contents •5
ADJUSTING THE LENS FOCUS ............................................................................ 36
LED INDICATORS.......................................................................................... 37
FLIR A68/A38 Series LED States ............................................................ 37
FIXED PATTERN NOISE CORRECTION ................................................................... 38
Target Mode ........................................................................................ 38
Saving Fixed Pattern Noise Calibration .................................................... 39
Performing Manual FPN Correction with Internal Shutter ........................... 39
Performing Manual FPN Correction with External Shutter........................... 40
FPN Correction Using Triggered Acquisition.............................................. 42
Automatic FPN Calibration ..................................................................... 42
Performing Calibration of the Supplemental FPN Correction Table............... 43
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 43
RADIOMETRY ............................................................................................... 44
Converting Pixel Values to Temperatures................................................. 44
Mounting and Thermal Considerations..................................................... 46
Using Enclosures .................................................................................. 49
Radiometric Calibration ......................................................................... 50
OVERLAYS .................................................................................................. 57
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 58
FALSE COLOR MAPPING................................................................................... 59
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 59
METADATA.................................................................................................. 60
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 62
PIXEL POLARITY............................................................................................ 63
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 63
DEFECTIVE PIXEL CORRECTION.......................................................................... 64
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 65
MEDIAN FILTER ............................................................................................ 66
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 66
CONTRAST ENHANCEMENT................................................................................ 67
Contrast Mode ..................................................................................... 67
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 76
CAMERA SYNCHRONIZATION ............................................................................. 77
Slave Configuration with External Input Frame Trigger.............................. 78
Slave Configuration with PTP Trigger ...................................................... 78
Master Configuration with Output Pulses ................................................. 79
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 79
EXTERNAL TRIGGER ....................................................................................... 80
SENSOR READOUT ALIGNMENT MODE .................................................................. 82
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 84
PRECISION TIME PROTOCOL ............................................................................. 85
PTP Synchronization ............................................................................. 85
Hardware Considerations....................................................................... 85
PTP Configuration Features.................................................................... 86
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 86
INTERNAL TEST PATTERN GENERATOR.................................................................. 87
A68/A38 Test Patterns .......................................................................... 87
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 88
TEMPERATURE SENSORS.................................................................................. 89
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 89
ERROR LOG FILE........................................................................................... 90
Related GigE Vision Features ................................................................. 90
OPERATIONAL REFERENCE..........................................................................91
USING A FLIR A68/A38 SERIES CAMERA WITH SAPERA API...................................... 91
Network and Computer Overview ........................................................... 91
Installing Sapera LT.............................................................................. 92

6•Contents
FLIR A68/A38 Series IR Camera User's Manual
Camera Firmware Updates .................................................................... 92
Firmware via Linux or Third-Party Tools .................................................. 92
GigE Server Verification ........................................................................ 93
GigE Server Status ............................................................................... 93
Optimizing the Network Adapter used with A68/A38 ................................. 94
Quick Test with CamExpert (Windows).................................................... 94
About the Device User ID ...................................................................... 95
USING CAMEXPERT WITH A68/A38 CAMERAS........................................................ 96
CamExpert Panes ................................................................................. 96
CAMERA INFORMATION CATEGORY ...................................................................... 99
Camera Information Feature Descriptions.............................................. 100
Power-up Configuration Dialog............................................................. 102
IMAGE FORMAT CONTROLS CATEGORY ............................................................... 103
Image Format Controls Feature Descriptions.......................................... 103
FPN CORRECTION CATEGORY.......................................................................... 105
FPN Correction Feature Descriptions ..................................................... 106
CONTRAST /BRIGHTNESS /RADIOMETRY CATEGORY .............................................. 109
Contrast / Brightness / Radiometry Feature Descriptions......................... 109
IMAGE PROCESSING CATEGORY ....................................................................... 112
Image Processing Feature Descriptions ................................................. 112
OVERLAY CONTROL CATEGORY ........................................................................ 115
Overlay Feature Descriptions ............................................................... 115
ACQUISITION CONTROL CATEGORY ................................................................... 117
Acquisition Control Feature Descriptions................................................ 117
Features that Cannot be Changed During a Transfer ............................... 119
TRIGGER CONTROL FEATURES CATEGORY ............................................................ 120
Trigger Controls Feature Descriptions ................................................... 120
Examples using Timestamp Modulo Event for Acquisitions ....................... 122
I/O CONTROLS CATEGORY ............................................................................. 126
I/O Controls Feature Descriptions......................................................... 126
EVENT CONTROL CATEGORY ........................................................................... 128
Event Control Feature Descriptions ....................................................... 128
Overview of Precision Time Protocol Mode (IEEE 1588) ........................... 134
USER SET CONTROL CATEGORY ....................................................................... 136
User Set Control Feature Descriptions................................................... 136
METADATA CONTROLS CATEGORY ..................................................................... 137
Metadata Controls Feature Descriptions ................................................ 137
GIGEVISION TRANSPORT LAYER CATEGORY ........................................................ 138
GIGEVISION HOST CONTROL CATEGORY............................................................ 141
FILE ACCESS CONTROL CATEGORY.................................................................... 141
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS....................................................................144
MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS......................................................................... 144
FLIR A68/A38 Series with M25 Lens Mount ............................................ 144
ADDITIONAL NOTES ON A68/A38 IDENTIFICATION AND MECHANICAL .......................... 145
CONNECTORS ............................................................................................ 145
10-pin I/O Connector Details ............................................................... 145
Input Signal Electrical Specifications ..................................................... 146
Power over Ethernet (PoE) Support ...................................................... 149
Output Signals Electrical Specifications ................................................. 149
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE INFORMATION .............................................................. 153
I/O Mating Connector Sources ............................................................. 153
RUGGEDIZED RJ45 ETHERNET CABLES .............................................................. 154
SENSOR HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................... 155
Cleaning the Sensor Window ............................................................... 155
Electrostatic Discharge and the Sensor ................................................. 155

FLIR A68/A38 Series IR Camera User's Manual
Contents •7
DECLARATIONS OF CONFORMITY..............................................................156
FCC Statement of Conformance ........................................................... 156
EU and UKCA Declaration of Conformity ................................................ 156
TROUBLESHOOTING ..................................................................................157
OVERVIEW ................................................................................................ 157
QUICK RECOVERY GUIDE ............................................................................... 157
GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING FOR FLIR A68/A38 SERIES ....................................... 159
Error Log File..................................................................................... 159
Power Failure During a Firmware Update–Now What? ............................. 159
Power supply problems:...................................................................... 159
Camera is functional, but image has no contents.................................... 159
FLIR A68/A38 SERIES TROUBLESHOOTING ........................................................ 159
GigE Server Status ............................................................................. 159
Problem Type Summary ...................................................................... 161
Acquisition Error without Timeout Messages .......................................... 163
Cabling and Communication Problems: ................................................. 164
Verifying Network Parameters.............................................................. 165
INTERNAL SHUTTER PROBLEMS ........................................................................ 166

8•Contents
FLIR A68/A38 Series IR Camera User's Manual
Figures
Figure 1: GigE Application Architecture .................................................................. 18
Figure 2: FLIR A68/A38 Series–Rear View ............................................................. 27
Figure 3: Lens Lockdown Screws........................................................................... 36
Figure 4: FLIR A68/A38 Series LED Startup Sequence.............................................. 37
Figure 5: FPN Compensation Mode ........................................................................ 39
Figure 6: Performing FPN Correction...................................................................... 40
Figure 7: Faulty FPN Calibration ............................................................................ 41
Figure 8: Color Map Overlay ................................................................................. 46
Figure 9: Mechanical camera interface (left) used for thermal coupling during mounting
on heatsink (right) .............................................................................................. 46
Figure 10: Camera Mounted on Tripod ................................................................... 47
Figure 11: Camera Schematic Showing Flux Contribution: Red = internal housing
contribution, Green = useful IR flux part coming from the scene through the lens ....... 47
Figure 12: Influence of Airflow on Temperature Accuracy ......................................... 48
Figure 13: Camera in Enclosure Configuration (with and w/o window) ....................... 49
Figure 14: Temperature Accuracy Improvement Using an Enclosure .......................... 49
Figure 15: Gain feature for external optic adjustment. ............................................. 53
Figure 16: Radiometric Offset Correction Feature .................................................... 55
Figure 17: Temperature Accuracy (25°C & 40°C target objects) Using 35°C External
Reference (IEC80601-2-59 requirements) .............................................................. 55
Figure 18: Overlay feature setup for external reference ........................................... 56
Figure 19: Radiometry features setup for external reference..................................... 56
Figure 20: Overlays ............................................................................................. 57
Figure 21: Fire Color Map ..................................................................................... 59
Figure 22: Fire Color Map Range Overlay................................................................ 59
Figure 23: Pixel Polarity ....................................................................................... 63
Figure 24: Defective Pixel Map .............................................................................. 64
Figure 25: File Access Control ............................................................................... 65
Figure 26: Median Filter ....................................................................................... 66
Figure 27: Contrast Enhancement Mapping 16-Bit to 8-bit........................................ 67
Figure 28: Dynamic Adaptive Image Enhancement .................................................. 68
Figure 29: Contrast Enhancement Maximum Gain ................................................... 70
Figure 30: Fixed Adaptive Image Enhancement....................................................... 72
Figure 31: Fixed Adaptive Brightness Setting .......................................................... 73
Figure 32: Fixed Adaptive Brightness Setting Example ............................................. 73
Figure 33: External Trigger Wave Diagram: Free-Running ........................................ 83
Figure 34: External Trigger Wave Diagram: Frame-On-Demand ................................ 84
Figure 35: Horizontal Ramp Test Pattern ................................................................ 87
Figure 36: Vertical Ramp Test Pattern.................................................................... 87
Figure 37: Diagonal Ramp Test Pattern .................................................................. 87
Figure 38: File Access Control Dialog ..................................................................... 88
Figure 39: File Access Control Dialog ..................................................................... 90
Figure 40: GigE Server Tray Icon .......................................................................... 93
Figure 41: GigE Pop-up Menu ............................................................................... 93
Figure 42: GigE Vision Device Status ..................................................................... 94
Figure 43: Sapera CamExpert ............................................................................... 95
Figure 44: Sapera CamExpert GUI Layout .............................................................. 97
Figure 45: CamExpert Camera Information Category ............................................... 99
Figure 46: Power-up Configuration Dialog .............................................................102
Figure 47: CamExpert Image Format Controls .......................................................103
Figure 48: CamExpert FPN Correction Category .....................................................105

FLIR A68/A38 Series IR Camera User's Manual
Contents •9
Figure 49: CamExpert Contrast / Brightness/ Radiometry Category ..........................109
Figure 50: CamExpert Image Processing Category..................................................112
Figure 51: CamExpert Overlay Category ...............................................................115
Figure 52: CamExpert Acquisition Control..............................................................117
Figure 53: CamExpert Trigger Control Features Category ........................................120
Figure 54: CamExpert I/O Controls Category .........................................................126
Figure 55: CamExpert Event Control Category .......................................................128
Figure 56: CamExpert User Set Control Category ...................................................136
Figure 57: CamExpert Metadata Controls ..............................................................137
Figure 58: CamExpert GigE Vision Transport Layer Category ...................................138
Figure 59: CamExpert File Access Control Category ................................................141
Figure 60: CamExpert File Access Control Category ................................................143
Figure 61: FLIR A68/A38 Series with M25 Lens Mount (mm units) ............................144
Figure 62: Ruggedized RJ45 Ethernet cable with Thumbscrews ................................154
Figure 63: Random Bad Data or Noise Example .....................................................163

10 •Contents
FLIR A68/A38 Series IR Camera User's Manual
Tables
Table 1: Teledyne DALSA Development Software .............................................................. 14
Table 2: FLIR A68/A38 Series Specifications ..................................................................... 16
Table 3: FLIR A68/A38 Series EMI, Shock and Vibration Certifications.................................. 17
Table 4: Emissivity Values for Common Materials .............................................................. 25
Table 5: FLIR A68/A38 Series Power Specifications............................................................ 26
Table 6: Bit Range for 16-Bit Image Display ..................................................................... 31
Table 7: Image Display Using Different 8-Bit Ranges ......................................................... 31
Table 8: FLIR A68/A38 Series LED States ......................................................................... 37
Table 9: Image Enhancement Dynamic Adaptive Contrast Examples .................................... 69
Table 10: Maximum Gain Off Example ............................................................................. 71
Table 11: Maximum Gain Setting Examples ...................................................................... 71
Table 12: Maximum Gain Setting 0.5 Example .................................................................. 72
Table 13: Sample 16-Bit Image ...................................................................................... 74
Table 14: Static Contrast Mode Example .......................................................................... 75
Table 15: GigE Server Tray Icon States............................................................................ 93
Table 16: CamExpert Display Pane Control Buttons ........................................................... 96
Table 17: Camera Information Feature Descriptions .........................................................100
Table 18: Image Format Controls Feature Descriptions .....................................................103
Table 19: Image Processing Feature Descriptions .............................................................106
Table 20: Contrast / Brightness /Radiometry Feature Descriptions......................................109
Table 21: Image Processing Feature Descriptions .............................................................112
Table 22: Overlay Feature Descriptions ...........................................................................115
Table 23: Acquisition Control Feature Descriptions ...........................................................117
Table 24: Trigger Control Controls Feature Descriptions ....................................................120
Table 25: I/O Controls Feature Descriptions ....................................................................126
Table 26: Event Control Feature Descriptions...................................................................128
Table 27: User Set Control Feature Descriptions...............................................................136
Table 28: Metadata Controls Feature Descriptions ............................................................137
Table 29: GigE Vision Transport Layer Feature Descriptions ...............................................139
Table 30: File Access Control Feature Descriptions ...........................................................142
Table 31: Samtec 10-Pin Connector Pin Assignment .........................................................145
Table 32: GigE Server Tray Icon States...........................................................................159