tCam-Mini

Name

tCam-Mini

Product Description

Introducing tCam-Mini

tCam-Mini is a small wireless streaming thermal imaging camera designed by Dan Julio to make it easy to get and use radiometric data from a Flir Lepton 3.5 sensor.  Radiometric data includes the temperature of every pixel captured by the Lepton allowing all kinds of interesting thermographic analysis.  Of course that data can also be turned into the beautiful false-color images everyone associates with thermal imaging.

tCam-Mini comes with a capable desktop application, running on Linux, Mac OS X and Windows, making it easy-to-use, right out of the box.  Custom applications running on any platform can easily communicate with tCam-Mini via a socket interface.  Commands and data are transferred as easy-to-parse json strings.  

Capabilities

• The tCam-Mini camera exposes the full capabilities of the Lepton.
• The camera can operate in either Radiometric/TLinear (each pixel contains temperature data) or AGC modes (no temperature data in each pixel but better images).
• Simple json-based command set with communication of a TCP/IP Socket. Makes interfacing with the camera very simple from a custom application.
• AP or STA (client) Wifi modes (static or DHCP-served IPV4 address).
• Single image or streaming data modes.
• Control over sensor emissivity, gain and spotmeter location.

The companion desktop application makes it easy to use the camera and analyze the data from it.

• Display images or streams with multiple palettes.
• Save and load images or streams in files preserving the radiometric data for use later or by other applications. Two file formats: image and video (described in the github repository).
• Export images as jpg, png or tiff files.
• Copy current image to computer's clipboard.
• Histogram display and analysis of pixel populations.
• Spotmeter and up to four additional markers showing temperature at various points in an image.
• Graphing function to plot spotmeter and marker data over time.
• Graph baseline mode to allow comparing temperatures to a reference point in the scene (for example to compare a temperature to a blackbody constant).
• Export graph data in a text file for analysis by other programs.
• Print graph (or create a PDF on computers that can print to PDF).

Hardware Overview

• Espressif ESP32-WROVER-E Module (ESP32-D0WD0V3, 8 MB PSRAM, 8 MB Flash) with built-in antenna
• Flir Lepton 3.5 (160x120 pixel radiometric LWIR camera with shutter)
• CP2102N-A02 USB to UART bridge with ESP32 boot loader control
• Multi-voltage power supply (3.3V, 3.0V, 2.8V, 1.2V)
• Dual color (Red/Green) status LED
• Factory Wifi Reset button

Open Source

The hardware and firmware design files are available in Dan's Github repository.  The firmware is designed to be compiled using Espressif IDF tools and new code can be loaded via the built-in USB Serial port.  Precompiled binary files are also provided for easy upgrades.

Development is ongoing with new features and additional software support planned including a python library and web server.

In Operation

Important Note! FLIR Lepton 3.5 is NOT included and is required for this product to work, please add one during checkout if you do not already have one.

Why GroupGets?

This campaign introduces tCam-Mini and leverages Group Gets manufacturing capability to make tCam-Mini available to thermography enthusiasts everywhere.

Unit Deliverable

One tCam-Mini with no Lepton

Unit Price

$79.99

Campaign Part #

GG-P-919

Availability

Campaign active, ends when minimum unit count reached

Factory Lead Time

49 Days

FLIR Lepton 3.5

$199.00

This accessory is required for tCam-Mini to work.

• Thermal sensitivity: < 50 mK (0.050˚C)
• Spectral Range: 8 - 14 microns (nominal) Long Wave Infrared (LWIR)
• Resolution: 160h x 120v pixels
• Radiometric Accuracy - High Gain Mode: Greater of +/- 5°C or 5% (typical); Low Gain Mode: Greater of +/- 10°C or 10% (typical)
• Scene Dynamic Range - High Gain Mode: -10° to +140°C; Low Gain Mode: -10° to +400°C (at room temperature), -10° to +450°C (typical)
• Pixel Size: 12 micrometers
• Frame Rate: 8.7 Hz (effective)
• Output Format: User-selectable 14-bit, 8-bit (AGC applied), or 24-bit RGB (AGC and colorization applied)
• Horizontal Field of View (HFOV): 57°
• Lens Type: f/1.1Size (w x l x h): 10.50 x 12.70 x 7.14 mm
• Weight: 0.9 grams
• Power Consumption: 150 mW typical, 650 mW during shutter event, 5mW standby
• Optimum Operating Temperature Range: -10˚ to + 80˚C

USB A to Micro B Power Cable

$2.50

300.0 mm (0.98') Micro USB Cable