Thermal Sight Basis - Thermal Imaging Basis

GENERAL OVERVIEW:

All objects, both natural and man-made, emit infrared energy as heat. By detecting very subtle temperature differences of everything in view, infrared (or thermal imaging) technology reveals what otherwise would be invisible to the naked eye. Even in complete darkness and challenging weather conditions, thermal imaging gives users the ability to see the unseen.
First developed for military purposes, thermal imaging has since been adopted by law enforcement, fire and rescue teams and security professionals. This technology can be used to detect approaching people or vehicles, to track the footsteps of a fugitive or to learn why a fire resists extinguishment.

Light Basics
In order to understand thermal imaging, it is important to understand something about light. The amount of energy in a light wave is related to its wavelength: Shorter wavelengths have higher energy. Of visible light, violet has the most energy, and red has the least. Just next to the visible light spectrum is the infrared spectrum.

Infrared light can be split into three categories:

Near-infrared (near-IR) - Closest to visible light, near-IR has wavelengths that range from 0.7 to 1.3 microns, or 700 billionths to 1,300 billionths of a meter.
Mid-infrared (mid-IR) - Mid-IR has wavelengths ranging from 1.3 to 3 microns. Both near-IR and mid-IR are used by a variety of electronic devices, including remote controls.
Thermal-infrared (thermal-IR) - Occupying the largest part of the infrared spectrum, thermal-IR has wavelengths ranging from 3 microns to over 30 microns.

The key difference between thermal-IR and the other two is that thermal-IR is emitted by an object instead of reflected off it. Infrared light is emitted by an object because of what is happening at the atomic level.

Thermal Imaging - Here's how it works:

A special lens focuses the infrared light emitted by all of the objects in view.

The focused light is scanned by a phased array of infrared-detector elements. The detector elements create a very detailed temperature pattern called a thermogram. It only takes about one-thirtieth of a second for the detector array to obtain the temperature information to make the thermogram. This information is obtained from several thousand points in the field of view of the detector array.

The thermogram created by the detector elements is translated into electric impulses.

The impulses are sent to a signal-processing unit, a circuit board with a dedicated chip that translates the information from the elements into data for the display.

The signal-processing unit sends the information to the display, where it appears as various colors depending on the intensity of the infrared emission. The combination of all the impulses from all of the elements creates the image.

Types of Thermal Imaging Devices

Most thermal-imaging devices scan at a rate of 30 times per second. They can sense temperatures ranging from -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees Celsius) to 3,600 F (2,000 C), and can normally detect changes in temperature of about 0.4 F (0.2 C).

See: TanYing Thermal Imaging Weapon Sight

There are two common types of thermal-imaging devices:

Un-cooled - This is the most common type of thermal-imaging device. The infrared-detector elements are contained in a unit that operates at room temperature. This type of system is completely quiet, activates immediately and has the battery built right in.
Cryogenically cooled - More expensive and more susceptible to damage from rugged use, these systems have the elements sealed inside a container that cools them to below 32 F (zero C). The advantage of such a system is the incredible resolution and sensitivity that result from cooling the elements. Cryogenically-cooled systems can "see" a difference as small as 0.2 F (0.1 C) from more than 1,000 ft (300 m) away, which is enough to tell if a person is holding a gun at that distance!

Unlike traditional most night-vision equipment which uses image-enhancement technology, thermal imaging is great for detecting people or working in near-absolute darkness with little or no ambient lighting (i.e. stars, moonlight, etc, ).

See TianYing Thermal Imaging Weapon Sight Video:

T75I thermal weapon sight see person at 600m, 850m and 950m without digital zoom

IFrame

40mk NETD detector with 75mm F1.0 lens, at 600m can clearly see man's two legs; at 850m and 950m can confirm the target,if is person, maybe some supplier called recognition, also can see the image is clear and sharp that can compete with many 640x480 chip detector thermal sight (thermal weapon sight ).

2.5x thermal weapon sight see person and vehicle at 600m with digital zoom:

40mk NETD detect with 50mm F1 lens: at 600m person image is a dot, when use for electrice magnification-digital zoom, can find person target.

17microns 55mm lens 50mk contrast 25microns 384x288 75mm lens

17microns 55mm lens 50mk show person image size is bigger than 25microns 384x288 75mm lens, but 17microns 55mm lens 50mk image is more clear than 25microns 384x288 75mm lens image.

Applications:
1).Covertly Finding and Locating Objects Without Visible Light.

2).First Responder Land & Water Search & Rescue Fugitive Pursuit and Apprehension.

3).Officer Safety and Protection .

4).Hot Spot and Disturbed Surface Detection .

5).Routine Crime Watch Patrols.

6).Crime Scene Investigations .

7).Night Vehicle Theft Prevention.

8).Provide an incredibly clear picture of the surrounding scene through the use of superior imaging software .

9).Monitor suspects without their knowledge, day or night .

10).Easily spot a fugitive hiding in thick foliage or under a vehicle .

Benefits:
1)Greatly enhances vision at night or in challenging dust and smoke conditions.

2)Operates with no light and without the blooming effect experienced by other night vision technologies.

3)Remain covert while still being able to see your target.

4)Saves money, time and lives with the ability to see quickly and operate more efficiently and safely.

MACHINE GUNS：
Machine guns are classified as light, medium, or heavy. Classifications are determined by a combination of weapon caliber, weapon system weight, crew size, and the primary type of intended target.

1.The light machine gun (LMG) classification generally includes .22 to .250 caliber (5.45mm to 6mm) automatic weapons. An LMG typically weighs between 15 and 30 pounds, complete. An LMG is normally manned by a crew of one or two individuals depending on the accessories being used. Neither a tripod nor a spare barrel is normally used with an LMG when it is manned by a single individual. They are optimally employed against exposed and lightly protected personnel at ranges less than 1,000 meters. Example: 5.56mm M249 Squad Automatic Weapon.

2.The medium machine gun (MMG) classification generally includes .264 to .33 caliber (6.5mm to 8mm) automatic weapons. Typical MMG weights are 25 pounds or more when loaded with 50 rounds of ammunition. Remaining ammunition, ground tripod, spare barrel, and other accessories can add another 25 pounds or more to the overall weight of MMG systems. The MMG is generally employed by a crew of three. Optimally, they are employed against personnel and light materials ( e.g., motor vehicles) at ranges of 1500 meters or less. Examples: 7.62mm M60, M240B, and M240G machine guns.

3.The heavy machine gun (HMG) classification generally includes .50 caliber or larger (12.7mm to 15mm) automatic weapons. The system weight of a heavy machine gun is substantial. In a ready to fire configuration using a ground tripod, an HMG without ammunition can weigh more than 125 pounds. An HMG is normally manned by a crew of four or more personnel (although a crew of three may be sufficient if motor vehicles or draft animals are employed for transportation over distance). HMGs are primarily employed against field fortifications, vehicles, and aircraft. They are generally effective against these types of targets at ranges of 1,000 meters or greater. Examples: .50 caliber Browning M2HB machine gun and the 40mm MK 19 MOD 3 grenade machine gun.