Design and calibration approach for shutter-less thermal imaging camera without thermal control

Bolometer based thermal imaging sensors find numerous applications ranging from affordable homeland security to high-end space-borne imaging system. Many of these applications require operation of the Bolometer arrays (thermal radiation detector), within a narrow temperature range, using power hungry temperature controllers. However, controller based systems always suffer from the finite time lag between “Power On” to “Ready for operation”. Sensor operation immediately at Power On, is a demand for time critical field applications such as fire fighting, night time rescue operations, etc. This paper describes an approach for temperature compensation and calibration of shutter-less Bolometer based thermal imaging camera, suitable for these time critical applications. The paper also briefly brings out major building blocks of such a camera.