Thermal (Infrared) imaging sensors

Recent developments in improved type of infrared detector technologies focal plane arrays, signal processing techniques, and innovative optical designs have enabled thermal imaging technology to undergo revolutionary advancement, leading to realisation of high performance and compact thermal cameras for surveillance, target acquisition, tracking, and guidance. Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE), Dehradun, has designed and developed a variety of thermal imaging sights for different ongoing programmes/projects. In the present paper, an overview of thermal imaging systems, different generations and classification of thermal imaging systems is described. The paper also presents salient features/specifications of thermal imaging systems developed by IRDE together with the images recorded in actual field trials.