Flir ThermovisionMSeries Operators Manual

							M-Series
432-0003-00-10
Revision 150
January 2012
Operator’s Manual 
						

							© FLIR Systems, Inc., 2012. All rights reserved worldwide. No parts of this manual, in whole or in part, may be copied, 
photocopied, translated, or transmitted to any electronic medium or machine readable form without the prior written 
permission of FLIR Systems, Inc.
Names and marks appearing on the products herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of FLIR Systems, Inc. 
and/or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, trade names, or company names referenced herein are used for identification 
only and are the property of their respective owners.
This product is covered by one or more of US Patent Nos: 7470904; 7034301; 6812465; 7470902; 6929410 and other 
patents pending or design patents pending. 
The M-Series thermal imaging system is controlled by US export laws. There are special versions of this system that are 
approved for international distribution and travel. Please contact FLIR Systems if you have any questions.
FLIR Systems, Inc.
70 Castilian Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
Phone: +1.888.747.FLIR (+1.888.747.3547)
www.flir.com/maritime
Document Number: 432-0003-00-10, Revision 150
Document History
This document is controlled to FLIR Technology Level 1. The information contained in this document pertains to a dual use 
product controlled for export by the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). FLIR trade secrets contained herein are 
subject to disclosure restrictions as a matter of law. Diversion contrary to US law is prohibited. US Department of 
Commerce authorization is not required prior to export or transfer to foreign persons or parties unless otherwise prohibited.
Revision Date Comment
100 June 2009 Initial release
110 February 2010 Release of M-320L and M-324XP and minor changes
120 March 2010 Minor corrections and clarifications
130 December 2010 Release of M-625XP, M-324L, and M-625L
Replacement of M-320L and M-626L
140 January 2011 Minor corrections
150 January 2012 Release of M-618CS
Minor corrections and style changes 
						

							432-0003-00-10 Rev 150 M-Series Operator’s Manual 1
CHAPTER 1 M-Series Overview...................................................................... 5
Additional References..................................................................................................... 6
Documentation Conventions........................................................................................... 6
Warnings and Cautions............................................................................................... 6
System Description..................................................................................................... 7
M-Series Gimbal Assembly............................................................................................ 8
Joystick Control Unit (JCU)............................................................................................. 9
Multiple Cameras, JCUs, and Other Devices................................................................. 9
Video Display............................................................................................................. 10
Thermal Imaging........................................................................................................... 10
Video Screen Icons....................................................................................................... 11
CHAPTER 2 M-Series Joystick Control Unit.................................................. 15
JCU Introduction........................................................................................................ 15
JCU Buttons.............................................................................................................. 15
Power/DIM Button......................................................................................................... 16
MENU Button................................................................................................................ 16
USER Button................................................................................................................ 17
SCENE Button.............................................................................................................. 17
COLOR Button.............................................................................................................. 18
HOME Button................................................................................................................ 18
Special Button Functions.............................................................................................. 19
Button Summary........................................................................................................... 19
JCU Puck.................................................................................................................. 20
Tilting the Camera......................................................................................................... 21
Panning the Camera..................................................................................................... 21
Zooming the Camera.................................................................................................... 21
Freezing an Image........................................................................................................ 22
JCU Display............................................................................................................... 22
CHAPTER 3 M-Series System Startup........................................................... 23
System Startup and Shutdown.................................................................................. 23
The Bootup Process.................................................................................................. 23
Standby Mode........................................................................................................... 25
Contents 
						

							 Contents
2432-0003-00-10 Rev 150 M-Series Operator’s Manual 
JCU Power Menu...................................................................................................... 26
Power Menu.................................................................................................................. 27
Assign JCU................................................................................................................... 27
JCU Stndby?................................................................................................................. 27
Camera Stndby?........................................................................................................... 27
System Stndby?............................................................................................................ 27
Global Stndby?.............................................................................................................. 28
Calibrate JCU................................................................................................................ 28
Cancel........................................................................................................................... 28
Factory Default Settings............................................................................................ 28
CHAPTER 4 M-Series System Configuration................................................ 31
Overview.................................................................................................................... 31
Main Menu................................................................................................................. 32
Video Setup............................................................................................................... 33
Set Thermal Color Default............................................................................................ 33
Set Video Polarity......................................................................................................... 33
Enable (Disable) Color Thermal Video......................................................................... 34
Display Test Pattern...................................................................................................... 34
Set Symbology........................................................................................................... 35
Disable (Enable) PC Icon and JCU Icon....................................................................... 35
Display All Icons............................................................................................................ 35
Display Minimal Icons................................................................................................... 35
Hide All Icons................................................................................................................ 36
User Programmable Button....................................................................................... 36
System Setup Menu.................................................................................................. 37
Enable (Disable) Ball-Down Installation........................................................................ 38
Enable (Disable) Aircraft Joystick Mode....................................................................... 38
Enable (Disable) Twist-to-Pan Mode............................................................................ 38
Enable (Disable) High Power Standby and High Motor Torque.................................... 39
Enable (Disable) Rearview Mode................................................................................. 40
Set Stow Position.......................................................................................................... 40
Name Camera............................................................................................................... 41
Surveillance Mode........................................................................................................ 41
About/Help................................................................................................................. 43
Video Icon Help Screens.............................................................................................. 43
Product Information....................................................................................................... 44
Contact FLIR................................................................................................................. 44
Restore Factory Defaults.............................................................................................. 44
Mechanical Stabilization Feature............................................................................... 45
Video Screen Icons with Mechanical Stabilization........................................................ 45
Main Menu: Enable Point Mode.................................................................................... 46
User Programmable Button: Point Mode...................................................................... 48
System Setup Menu...................................................................................................... 48
Video Icon Help Screen................................................................................................ 49 
						

							432-0003-00-10 Rev 150 M-Series Operator’s Manual 3
 Contents
CHAPTER 5 M-Series IP Interface and PC Operations................................. 51
M-Series Web Control............................................................................................... 51
Web Control Functions.............................................................................................. 52
Enabling Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)................................................................ 56
UPnP Overview............................................................................................................. 56
Enabling the UPnP User Interface................................................................................ 56
Network Settings....................................................................................................... 58
Changing the IP Address of the Camera...................................................................... 58
Changing the IP Address of the JCU............................................................................ 60
Custom Network Applications................................................................................... 61
Programmers/Integrators.............................................................................................. 61
Command Strings......................................................................................................... 62
Resources Available..................................................................................................... 62
Training......................................................................................................................... 62
CHAPTER 6 M-Series Reference Information............................................... 63
Introduction................................................................................................................ 63
Acronyms.................................................................................................................. 63
List of Icons............................................................................................................... 65
System Specifications............................................................................................... 67
Feature Comparison of M-Series Models.................................................................. 68
Troubleshooting Tips................................................................................................. 70
On Screen Messages................................................................................................... 72
Restoring the Factory Network Settings....................................................................... 73 
						

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							432-0003-00-10 Rev 150 M-Series Operator’s Manual 5
CHAPTER 1M-Series Overview
This manual describes the operation of the M-Series camera. If you need help or 
have additional questions, please call to speak with our support experts; see the 
phone numbers listed on the back cover of this manual. 
This manual includes information about the following topics:
• System description
• Using the joystick control unit (JCU)
• System startup and shutdown
• Configuring your M-Series camera
• Setting up the interface between your camera and a PC
• Helpful reference information such as acronyms, parts lists, and a table of 
icons, and a comparison of model features 
						

							 M-Series Overview
6432-0003-00-10 Rev 150 — M-Series Operator’s Manual 
Additional References
Your M-Series camera comes with a complete documentation set on a CD (FLIR 
Doc. # 432-0003-00-16) that includes this manual as well as others. All 
documents are in PDF format and can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader:
•M-Series Installation Guide (FLIR Doc. # 432-0003-00-12) contains 
information about how to install the camera.
•M-Series Quick Start Guide (FLIR Doc. # 432-0003-00-11) is a double-sided 
card that shows the functions executed by the various JCU buttons.
•M-Series Interface Control Document (ICD) (FLIR Doc. # 432-0003-00) is an 
extensive set of CAD drawings with detailed component dimensions, wiring 
schemes, mounting dimensions, and several possible system configurations 
using more than one JCU. 
You may also refer to the Resources Web page for up-to-date documentation:
http://www.flir.com/cvs/americas/en/maritime/resources/
Documentation Conventions
For safety, and to achieve the highest levels of performance from the M-Series 
system, always follow the warnings and cautions in this manual when handling 
and operating the M-Series camera system.
Warning: Warning notices are used to emphasize that hazardous voltages, 
currents, temperatures, or other conditions that could cause personal injury or 
death exist with this equipment, or may be associated with its use. 
Caution: Caution notices are used where equipment might be damaged if care is 
not taken or an operation might have an unexpected outcome.
Note:Notes call attention to information that is especially significant to 
understanding and operating the equipment.
Warnings and Cautions
Warning: Do not use the M-Series imaging system as the primary navigation 
system. Use it in conjunction with other navigation aids and a primary manual 
navigation system.
Warning: Use of insufficient wire gauge can result in fire. 
Caution: Do not open the M-Series camera unit for any reason. Disassembly of 
the camera (including removal of the cover) can cause permanent damage and 
will void the warranty.
Caution: Be careful not to leave fingerprints on the M-Series camera optics.  
						

							432-0003-00-10 Rev 150 — M-Series Operator’s Manual 7
 M-Series Overview
Caution: The M-Series requires a power supply of 12 – 24V DC nominal, 5 Amp 
maximum. Absolute voltage range: 10 – 32V DC. Operating the camera outside of 
the specified input voltage range or the specified operating temperature range 
can cause permanent damage.
Proper Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE): The European 
Union (EU) has enacted Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive 
2002/96/EC (WEEE), which aims to prevent EEE waste from arising, to 
encourage reuse, recycling, and recovery of EEE waste, and to promote 
environmental responsibility. 
In accordance with these regulations, all EEE products labeled with the “crossed 
out wheeled bin” either on the product itself or in the product literature must not be 
disposed of in regular rubbish bins, mixed with regular household or other 
commercial waste, or by other regular municipal waste collection means. Instead, 
and in order to prevent possible harm to the environment or human health, all 
EEE products (including any cables that came with the product) should be 
responsibly discarded or recycled.
To identify a responsible disposal method where you live, please contact your 
local waste collection or recycling service, your original place of purchase or 
product supplier, or the responsible government authority in your area. Business 
users should contact their supplier or refer to their purchase contract.
System Description
M-Series is a maritime thermal imaging system for use on most types of vessels. 
The system is available in two configurations:
• The single payload models have a single thermal imaging camera.
• The dual payload models are equipped with both a thermal imaging camera 
and a visible-light (DLTV) camera, either low-light or color. 
The infrared (IR) thermal camera provides night-time imagery, even in total 
darkness, based on temperature differences. The thermal camera provides a 
clear video image even under completely dark conditions because it is sensitive 
to thermal infrared energy. The infrared camera supports either 2X or both 2X and 
4X zoom, depending on the model.
On dual payload models, the two integrated DLTV camera options provide either 
black and white imagery in low-light conditions or color imagery. The DLTV 
cameras provide enhanced navigational abilities in a variety of conditions, for 
example, during twilight hours or when operating along intercoastal waterways 
and near harbor entrances. The color camera dual payload model supports 
continuous zoom.
Thermal Image at Night 
						

							 M-Series Overview
8432-0003-00-10 Rev 150 — M-Series Operator’s Manual 
One M-Series model (indicated by an S suffix) includes a mechanical 
stabilization feature that improves image stability. The stabilization feature 
compensates for the motion of the vessel and improves the utility of the camera 
video output when operating in rough seas or swell conditions. 
For a complete list of models and a comparison of key features, see “Feature 
Comparison of M-Series Models” on page 68. The differences in camera 
operation are noted in relevant locations in the manual. 
The M-Series consists of two main components:
• The gimbal assembly, also known as the pan/tilt camera unit. A gimbal is a 
pivoted support that allows the rotation of an object such as a ship’s compass 
about a single axis.
• The joystick control unit (JCU).
In this manual, the term camera may refer to the entire camera unit/gimbal 
assembly, or it may refer specifically to either the thermal camera or the visible 
camera, depending on the context in which it is used. 
The M-Series gimbal and JCU are network devices. In some installations, 
additional cameras and JCUs will also be used, and networking equipment such 
as Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches may be used to interconnect these 
components.
M-Series Gimbal Assembly
The gimbal assembly has a pan/tilt mechanism that allows the camera to rotate 
continuously 360° in azimuth, and to tilt plus or minus 90° in elevation. The 
M-Series imaging sensors are contained in the ball of the gimbal assembly. 
The thermal infrared camera uses an uncooled vanadium oxide (VOx) detector 
sensitive to long-wave infrared (LWIR) thermal energy. The camera is sensitive to 
the thermal energy that comes from the movement of atoms and molecules that 
make up whatever the camera is pointed at. All objects emit (or radiate) thermal 
energy, even cold objects like icebergs.
Video Options
The M-Series gimbal assembly has either one or two video cables:
• The cable labeled IR is for the composite—also known as analog—video 
signal from the thermal (infrared) camera. This is the only cable on single 
payload cameras.
• On dual payload models, the cable labeled VIS/IR is for video from either the 
thermal camera or the visible camera. You use the JCU to determine which 
output displays. 
The video from dual payload models can be output on one or two video displays. 
If only a single display with a single video input is available, connect the cable 
labeled VIS/IR to the display. If the display has more than one video input, both 
Base Ball
Side 
Cover
Bezel
Yoke
Gimbal Assembly