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New Infared Module Range — Parallax Forums

New Infared Module Range

Tim-MTim-M Posts: 522
edited 2008-09-20 15:33 in General Discussion
New infared temperature sensing module announced this morning!

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=750810

The documentation mentions "is designed for non-contact temperature measurements of objects placed within the sensor’s cone of detection" but I don't see a diagram or listing of what the detection range is.· I know it's early in the product release, but can any of the Parallax folks give us a rough idea of what it is?

Thanks,

Tim

Comments

  • dandreaedandreae Posts: 1,375
    edited 2008-09-12 17:49
    The sensor provides a 90 degree field of View (FOV). That means the object has to fall within that view angle to get a true temperature. Distance from the sensor to the object has nothing to do with it. Later Parallax may provide a smaller FOV angle sensor to detect objects at a greater distance. Remeber the object has to fit within the angle.



    Thanks,



    Dave

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    Dave Andreae

    Parallax Tech Support·
  • T ChapT Chap Posts: 4,223
    edited 2008-09-12 17:52
    Can FOV be constricted to a narrow 'straight line' using tubes around the xmit and receive sides?
  • ratronicratronic Posts: 1,451
    edited 2008-09-12 17:54
    I just had to order me one of these!!

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    Fix it, if it ain't broke·
    D Rat


    Dave Ratcliff· N6YEE
  • dandreaedandreae Posts: 1,375
    edited 2008-09-12 20:45
    Originator said...
    Can FOV be constricted to a narrow 'straight line' using tubes around the xmit and receive sides?
    We haven't tested it yet with the different lenses.· You could experiment and see if it works, we haven't got that far yet.

    Dave

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    Dave Andreae

    Parallax Tech Support·
  • Tim-MTim-M Posts: 522
    edited 2008-09-12 20:53
    Thanks for help Dave. I don't quite understand though, it seems that there has to be a limit to, or a working distance to an object within the FOV. I understand the FOV concept but maybe I missing something yet.

    Tim
  • dandreaedandreae Posts: 1,375
    edited 2008-09-12 22:11
    True, and it depends on the environment as far as distance, therefore it will vary.· You can experiment and measure the distance.· ·The data sheet will be the best source for this kind of information.· Here is a link for the download of the data sheet:·

    http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampModules/tabid/134/ProductID/520/List/1/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName

    This will be posted in a few hours.

    Dave


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    Dave Andreae

    Parallax Tech Support

    Post Edited (Dave Andreae (Parallax)) : 9/12/2008 10:36:46 PM GMT
  • DufferDuffer Posts: 374
    edited 2008-09-12 22:25
    Has anybody bothered to take the advice found on the Parallax product page for this device?

    "Users of this sensor should also review the MLX90614 datasheet from www.melexis.com. The datasheet includes technical information pertaining to the sensor’s cone of detection, precision and applications. When reviewing the datasheet please note that Parallax is using Melexis P/N MLX90614ESF-AAA, the single zone infrared thermometer sensor."

    http://www.melexis.com/Sensor_ICs_Infrared_and_Optical/Infrared/MLX90614_615.aspx

    There are datasheets and application notes at the bottom of the above page.

    Duffer
  • kelvin jameskelvin james Posts: 531
    edited 2008-09-13 17:41
    Nice work Parallax, i am glad someone finally figured out an easy way to communicate with one of these. Any idea where an inexpensive 3:1 or 5:1 lense could be had, like the type that are used on the guns? I would like to possibly get a 30 degree FOV or better. Ideally i would want the spot size around 12 in. at 20 ft.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2008-09-14 19:38
    For Parallax, it is easy. The SX-28 chip is the Swiss Army Knife of communications chips. You just put one protocol in and change it to whatever you require.

    So I can use this to watch my Lithium batteries charge properly? Or maybe this is a good item to use with a solar panel design. I strongly suspect that two of these can be used in a R/C autopilot to find a horizon by the temperature differences of ground and sky.

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    It's sunny and warm here. It is always sunny and warm here.... (unless a typhoon blows through).

    Tropically, G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse] 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2008-09-14 21:11
    Here is the critical quote from the datasheet:

    ····"The measured value is the average temperature of all objects in the Field Of View of the sensor."

    What this means is that you can't just point it at a subject that subtends less than a 90-degree solid angle and expect to get an accurate reading of its temperature. So, for example, if you want to measure a lemming's body temperature, you'd better get up really close; if an elephant's, a little further back will suffice.

    This also implies that you can't just collimate the field of view with a tube or use an aperture to restrict it, because the device will average in the temperature of the tube or of the mask surrounding the aperture. A longwave infrared-transmissive lens would probably work to focus the field of view, though, as would a parabolic mirror. Also, you might be able factor in the (known) temperature and coverage area of any collimator or aperture as a correction factor.

    Notwithstanding these simple caveats, and without focussing, it appears that the device can yield highly-accurate temperature measurements from any subject that fills its field of view. This makes for a pretty exciting addition to Parallax's sensor range.

    -Phil
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2008-09-15 16:15
    This is exactly the kind of thermopile that can be used in opposing pairs to locate a horizon line in R/C helicopters and R/C airplanes. Jens' prize wining 'semi autopilot' used a pair with the SX-28. Combined with an altimeter and GPS, it might even make automated landing possible.

    It can also be used to measure heat from a furnace at a distance. This might be useful for foundry work, glass blowing, and forged steel.

    Personally I am more interested in autonomous flight.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    It's sunny and warm here. It is always sunny and warm here.... (unless a typhoon blows through).

    Tropically, G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse] 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan
  • lenswerkslenswerks Posts: 40
    edited 2008-09-16 01:26
    I must have missed this, but why no add to cart button for the MLX90614?
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,403
    edited 2008-09-16 02:28
    The missing "add to cart" button is some kind of oversight. I think our web team had a few snafus today getting this one launched. A number of people had their hands in the web page. I'm on the road so I can't get to the page, but I contacted the IT Guy who works late at night. If he's around he'll fix this one right away.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,403
    edited 2008-09-16 02:58
    This problem has now been fixed and you can order the sensor (thanks Lauren!).

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2008-09-20 15:33
    Been watching the stock market drama unfold, but may now order a pair. Don't work too hard.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    It's sunny and warm here. It is always sunny and warm here.... (unless a typhoon blows through).

    Tropically, G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse] 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan
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