Teledyne FLIR Neutrino LC OGI

The Teledyne FLIR Neutrino LC OGI is a cooled thermal camera core from the USA for optical gas imaging (OGI) on mid-sized multicopters. It is designed for low size, weight and power (SWaP) and makes certain gases such as methane visible as a plume in the image.

The detector is a cooled HOT-MWIR detector with a linear micro-cooler, meaning it works in the mid-wave infrared at a comparatively high operating temperature. It delivers 640 × 512 pixels at a 15 µm pixel pitch. The spectral range of 3.2 to 3.4 µm is chosen very narrow because hydrocarbons absorb in this range. The thermal sensitivity is at most 35 mK, and the frame rate up to 60 Hz. The module weighs less than 380 g, clearly more than uncooled cores.

At 60 Hz, the frame rate lies above the 9 Hz limit above which thermal modules fall under the EU Dual-Use Regulation; the manufacturer lists the module as ITAR-free with the US export class EAR 6A003.b.4.a. An export can require a licence. Operations in areas at risk of explosion require a separate approval (ATEX), which a standard aircraft does not automatically bring.

Cooled detectors are more sensitive than uncooled ones but heavier, need a cool-down time before use, and carry a wear part of limited life in the micro-cooler. The narrow band makes the camera a special-purpose device: for general inspection with a temperature image, an uncooled core in the 8 to 14 µm range is the usual choice. Points to check are the cooler, the optics and the calibration.