Standard software for automated testing of infrared imagers, IRWindowsTM in practical applications

In the past, ad-hoc and manual testing of infrared imagers has not been a deterrent to the characterization of these systems due to the low volume of production and high ratio of skilled personnel to the quantity of units under test. However, with higher volume production, increasing numbers of development labs in emerging markets, and the push towards less expensive, faster development cycles, there is a strong need for standardized testing that is quickly configurable by test engineers, which can be run by less experienced test technicians and which produce repeatable, accurate results. The IRWindows^TM system addresses these needs using a standard computing platform and existing automated IR test equipment. This paper looks at the general capabilities of the IRWindows^TM system, and then examines the specific results from its application in the PalmIR and Automotive IR production environments