New improved thermal resolution

The new TigIR-Z20 sets new standards with its thermal resolution of up to <15mK. With the 100% better sensor, the detection rate can be significantly improved even in very poor environmental conditions. This is also thanks to significantly revised AI software, which ensures better noise suppression and edge sharpness.

TigIR-Z20
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Abgerundet wird das neue Modell mit dem neuen Outlinemodus, der zusätzlich zu jedem der 15 bekannten Filter hinzugeschaltet werden kann. So werden die wärmsten Objekte im Bild zusätzlich durch eine rote Umrandung markiert. Im Folgenden werden die Neuerungen im Detail beschrieben:

Versuchsaufbau TigIR-Z20 und 6Z+

20mK sensor performance

Until recently, such performance values ​​were unthinkable for uncooled thermal imaging sensors and could only be found in cooled sensors, which cost several times more. To illustrate the differences between the two quality levels, we made comparison videos with two devices and compared them.

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40mK

20mK

Sollte die interaktive Darstellung sich nicht mit Ihrem Browser laden lassen, finden sie hier die YouTube-Version.

Uns war es wichtig, dass wir nicht zu viel versprechen wollen. Es soll gezeigt werden, dass die Unterschiede bei der Thermalauflösung sehr Wetteranhängig sind. So sind die Unterschiede bei Sonnenschein nicht besonders groß, denn auch der schlechtere Sensor profitiert von der hohen Dynamik der Szene. Das bedeutet, dass durch die Sonneneinstrahlung sehr starke Kontraste entstehen, die auch ein 40mK Sensor gut darstellen kann. Es ist auch recht gut zu erkennen, dass Personen in der Darstellung bei beiden Geräten nicht besonders gut hervortreten, da auch der Hintergrund sehr warm ist, und daher keine Unterschiede auftreten. Es lässt sich also festhalten, dass Sonnenschein auch bei 20mK-Geräten nicht hilfreich ist.

15mK sensor performance

We have recently been able to offer all current devices, i.e. TigIR, TILO and PumIR, with a system resolution of 15mK. We cannot yet publish anything about the technology used here, but unlike other manufacturers who often only specify the performance of the processed sensor, we guarantee that not only the sensor has the promised performance of 15mK, but the entire device.

The reason for this is that the lens system used, inadequate cooling or other disturbances often consume a significant portion of the thermal resolution, meaning that a sensor advertised by the manufacturer as having 18mK only has a resolution of 22mK when installed. However, we guarantee that the entire system achieves a performance of at least 15mK.

Each buyer also receives a measurement report.

Strasse_20mK

AI image optimization

A lot has happened here too. Even in the display with 640x512 pixels (0.8x magnification), objects are spatially better and more finely resolved. In some cases, the tram's overhead wires are only visible with the TigIR-Z20. This is due to a new algorithm that interprets image elements much more precisely and optimizes them for the current screen resolution. It still proceeds cautiously and does not result in so-called "hallucinations" as are known from other AI techniques. So what is shown to you is actually there.

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What is also noticeable is that the noise and the PNP (Permanent Noise Pattern) are significantly suppressed in homogeneous image areas. This is particularly noticeable in poor weather conditions such as rain over long distances. The combination of high thermal resolution with powerful image optimization leads to the best results here.

Even a 20mK sensor cannot conjure up sunshine from a rainy environment, but when compared to the 40mK sensor, it becomes clear how great the advantages of the 20mK sensor are in terms of image display.

Especially in the forest and when hunting, it is often damp in autumn and there is ground fog in the evening. It is similar in the morning, and the surroundings hardly have any temperature differences. Of course, even a 20mK thermal imaging device cannot see through a thick wall of fog, but as long as there is still thermal radiation, the high-resolution core offers significantly better results.

outline mode and drone detection

In outline mode, a red frame is drawn around the warmest objects. The idea here is that even very small or distant objects that are only a few or only one pixel in size are clearly highlighted. This can be helpful at dawn, when people or small animals are more visible at great distances due to even heat distribution. However, other objects that are also warm can also cause interference with this function. The advantage of outline mode is therefore best seen when it is used to search for small objects in the sky. Here, even small drones can be detected at greater distances and more clearly than without this function.

The outline mode can generally be combined with all of the 15 other filters. However, its use is sometimes limited due to the red color.

It is switched on and off by pressing a button during operation.

comparison videos

The quality of thermal images is highly dependent on the environmental situation. It is therefore almost impossible to demonstrate the quality of a more powerful sensor with just one device. The rule is: in good weather, every image looks good - regardless of which sensor it was taken with. The same applies vice versa. Nevertheless, even in bad weather, the quality of a 20mK sensor is much better than that of normal sensors. However, you can only see this in comparison.

We have therefore developed a comparison setup and for our comparison videos we mount at least 2 devices on a plate. We then point these at the same object. This makes the differences very clear. The videos also always contain information about the weather conditions. We usually try to take the recordings in the worst possible weather so that the performance of the new technology is more visible.

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