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Thermal imaging for border security
Protecting a country’s borders is vital to its national security. It is however very challenging to detect
potential intruders or smugglers in total darkness, in the most diverse weather conditions. Thermal
imaging cameras can help border control professionals to meet the demands they face at night and in
other low-light situations.
FLIR Systems: Thermal imaging cameras for
Border Security Applications
FLIR Systems is a global company producing thermal
imaging cameras for a wide variety of applications.
Thermal imaging cameras produce a clear image
in the darkest of nights. They do not need any
light whatsoever to produce a clear image in total
darkness.
But thermal imaging is also useful in broad daylight.
A thermal imaging camera cannot be blinded by the
sun like a normal CCTV camera. Furthermore, thermal
contrast is extremely difficult to mask so people
trying to camouflage themselves or trying to hide in
bushes or shadows will seamlessly be detected.
Thermal imaging technology detects changes
in temperature. Based on subtle differences in
temperature, called heat signatures, thermal imaging
cameras create a crisp image. Thermal imaging needs
no light whatsoever to produce a clear image, in
practically all weather conditions, on which the
smallest of objects can be seen. Due to their ability to
detect man sized targets at extremely long distances,
thermal imaging cameras are extremely suited for
border surveillance.
Thermal imaging cameras with cooled detectors
for border security
There exist two different types of thermal imaging
cameras: those with uncooled detectors and those
with cooled detectors. Generally, cooled cameras are
used in border security applications as they provide
a longer range performance than versions with an
uncooled detector. Some models with a cooled
detector are able to detect a man-sized target at a
distance of 18-20km.
Thermal imaging systems are often used in
conjunction with daylight/lowlight cameras that can
be used when conditions permit. Installed on a pan/
tilt, these so-called Multi-Sensor Systems can easily
The PTZ-35x140 MS contains 2 thermal imaging cameras
and a daylight/low light camera. It allows to detect mansized target at a distance of more than 2 kilometers.
be integrated with radar systems in a so-called “slewto-cue” configuration. If an object is spotted by radar
the thermal imaging camera will automatically turn
in the right direction so that it can be seen what the
blip on the radar screen really means. Many MultiSensor Systems are mounted in this “slew-to-cue”
configuration.
Multi-Sensor configurations can also be equipped
with GPS and a digital magnetic compass to ensure
the operator knows where the thermal imager is
(this is important for border security applications
where the camera is installed on a vehicle) and what
direction it is pointing in. Some systems also have a
laser range finder to provide a measure of how far
away an object is. A tracker can optionally be installed
as well.
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FLIR Systems: a full product range of
thermal imaging cameras for border security
applications
FLIR Systems markets a full product range for border
security applications. Depending on the user’s needs
he can choose for a thermal imaging camera with
a cooled Indium Antimonide (InSb) or Mercury
Cadmium Telluride (MCT) detector. Models with
a Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector are also
available.
FLIR Systems does not only market thermal imaging
cameras but also Multi-Sensor Systems. These
combine a thermal imaging camera and a day-light
low light camera, mounted on a robust Pan/Tilt. A
Digital Magnetic Compass, GPS, laser rangefinder and
a tracker are optionally available.
The
FLIR
H-Series, a handheld thermal imaging camera
Some cameras like the FLIR HRC-Series contain an
optical zoom on the thermal image. They offer
excellent situational awareness but also the possibility
to zoom-in, and see more detail, once a target has
been detected. This way operators can see farther
recognize more detail and react more quickly to
security threats. The advantage of zooming compared
to other systems that are using a rotating lens system
is that there is no switch or swapping between the
different images. You can gradually zoom in while
keeping your focus all the time.
Another technical feature that can be found in
FLIR Thermal imaging cameras for border security
applications is Digital Detail Enhancement or DDE.
This powerful FLIR Systems patented algorithm
that helps to overcome the problem of finding
low contrast targets in high dynamic range scenes.
DDE assures clear, properly contrasted thermal
images. DDE delivers a high contrast image even in
extremely dynamic thermal scenes. It provides high
FLIR Sensors Manager allows to mange and control thermal imaging cameras in a network.
quality thermal imaging in any night- or daytime
environmental conditions. DDE is so powerful that a
thermal imaging camera equipped with DDE often
outperforms systems which have a longer lens, or
narrower field of view, than the camera with DDE
implemented.
FLIR Systems: involved in many border
programmes, world-wide
FLIR has provided thermal imaging systems for various
border control programmes worldwide. Both in Eurasia
and in the Americas. Major border programmes are
running in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, in countries
that border the Schengen area and other European
countries that want to protect their border against e.g.
illegal immigration. Both land- and coastal surveillance
programmes exist.
Thermal imaging cameras with uncooled detector:
also in border security programmes
Although border security is often about detecting
targets at a long distance and thermal imaging cameras
with a cooled detector are used to do this, also thermal
imaging cameras with an uncooled detector are used
in Border Security programmes. Sometimes the terrain
does not even allow to see 20 kilometers.
If the terrain is e.g mountainous and does not permit
seeing a distance of 20 kilometres, thermal imaging
cameras like the PTZ-35x140 MS can be used for
border security as well. The PTZ-35x140 MS contains
two thermal imaging cameras and one daylight/
lowlight camera. All three cameras are integrated
on a robust Pan/Tilt. Although it does not offer the
range performance of thermal imaging cameras with
a cooled the detector, the PTZ-35x140 MS can still
detect man-sized targets at a distance of more than
2 kilometres. Objects the size-of a small car can
be detected more than 6 kilometres away. In total
darkness, in all weather conditions.
Handheld and vehicle mounted thermal imaging
cameras
Border security patrols can be equipped with
handheld thermal imaging cameras. If an intruder
is detected, a patrol is sent out to intercept him. In
order to “see without being seen”, these patrols are
more and more equipped with a handheld thermal
imaging camera. For these types of applications
FLIR offers the H-Series.
Thermal imaging cameras with uncooled Vanadium
Oxide (Vox) can also be installed in patrol
vehicles. A thermal imaging camera sees up to 5x
further than standard headlights. A camera like
the FLIR PathFindIR can be used for driver vision
enhancement.
Connecting thermal imaging cameras
For installing and connecting thermal imaging
cameras FLIR offers solutions as well. FLIR Sensors
Manager offers powerful and efficient management
capabilities for any border security installation
with FLIR Systems thermal imaging cameras. It
allows to manage and control thermal imaging
cameras, connect them to a radar in a “slew-to-cue”
configuration and much more.
For integrators that want to develop their own
application, a Software Developers Kit is available
as well.
Protect your borders with thermal imaging
Thermal imaging is an important element in many
border security programmes and, when integrated
into a system with other sensors, such as radar, it
provides an effective approach to border control.
FLIR Systems offers a wide variety of thermal imaging
cameras. Whatever your needs, FLIR has the correct
thermal imaging camera.
The HRC-Series provide a continuous optical zoom on the thermal image.
FLIR Commercial Systems B.V.
Charles Petitweg 21
4847 NW Breda
Netherlands
Phone : +31 (0) 765 79 41 94
Fax : +31 (0) 765 79 41 99
e-mail : [email protected]
www.flir.com
AS_0509_0031_EN
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cameras or about this application,
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