Flir ThermovisionPathFindIR LE User Manual

							334-0001-00-10-LE, rev. 100 May ’0815
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6 Technical Data
6.1 Performance Specification
Thermal Imaging Performance
Sensor type Uncooled microbolometer
Field of view 36° h x 27° v
Spectral band 8 - 14 μ
Resolution 320 x 240 pixels
Time to Image  < 2 sec.
Focal Length  19 millimeters
Outputs
Video NTSC or PAL
Connector types 12-pin automotive connector for power in, video 
out
Frame Rate
Note: Hz is equivalent 
to frames per second30-Hz for NTSC Video, 25 Hz for PAL video
< 9 Hz Export Compliant 
Power
Power requirements 12 VDC nominal (range 6V to 16V)
Power consumption 2 Watts (nominal)
8 Watts with heater turned on
Environmental
Operating temperature -40º C to +80ºC
Impact protection High-impact resistant window with heating 
element
Weather Resistance Hermetically sealed, pressurized enclosure
For additional information, contact FLIR.
Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions (Width x 
Height x Length)58mm x 57mm x 72mm (2.3” x 2.2” x 2.8”) 
excluding connector
Connector adds 25.7 mm to height
Weight less than 0.4 kg (0.88 lb.)
Mounting Points 2 per side, M4x0.7
6mm screws required 
						

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6.1.1 Side View 
						

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6.1.2 Side View, Additional Dimensions 
						

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6.1.3 Front View 
						

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7 Installation
7.1 PathFindIR LE Installation
The PathFindIR LE is a compact, sealed imaging system that fits easily 
behind vehicle grilles and in other compact locations. It includes an 
internal heater to keep the lens clear in icy conditions, and delivers 
superior image quality. It can be ordered as a camera module with a 
commercial grade cable.
The PathFindIR LE must be mounted in a location where it is not 
obstructed by the windshield or other glass materials. Although glass is 
transparent to the human eye, it is opaque in the infrared spectrum. 
The PathFindIR LE should be installed by an installer or dealer trained by 
FLIR Systems, Inc. If one is not available in your area we recommend that 
you use a reputable car audio/video installation shop that specializes in 
mobile video system integration. The wiring and installation requires 
special care and integration techniques. Improper installation may result 
in damage to the camera and may void the warranty.
Some modifications to the vehicle’s exterior may be required, as well as 
integration into various display units, including factory LCD or aftermarket 
multi-functional display units. 
7.2 Preparation
The PathFindIR LE Standard 20 foot system cable has two open power 
leads to be connected to a power source operating between 6V - 16V. The 
standard cable accessory also includes a BNC male end. Refer to the 
model number for your specific analog video output format. 
It is recommended that power to the monitor be supplied separately from 
power to the PathFindIR LE unit to assure clean (low noise) power to both 
items. Otherwise the video image may appear to have interference, 
ghosting, or undesirable video artifacts.  
Caution: Before wiring the camera, disconnect all power from the 
battery. Failure to do so may result in shock, bodily harm, or damage to 
system.
  
						

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7.3 Installation
Installation using incorrect connections may result in system malfunction 
or risk of shock. FLIR Systems, Inc. recommends the standard 20-foot 
cable for proper installation (refer to Chapter 5.1 “Accessories” on page 5-
13). This cable is sealed and provides two power input leads and video 
output via the connected BNC adapter. 
The proper mating connector must be used when installing the PathFindIR 
LE. The use of other connectors may result in damage to the camera that 
is not covered by the limited product warranty. 
The Standard 20 foot System cable has a BNC connector for video output. 
You may need to purchase connectors/converters to connect to aftermarket 
or factory-installed video monitors. 
7.4 Installation Guidelines and Precautions
Do not splice cables or tap into existing cables for power or video. Doing so 
may result in shock, fire, or damage to electrical system/equipment. Power 
connections should be made to the fused side of the vehicle’s power 
distribution block.
Do not install in areas where the unit will hinder vehicle operation, i.e. 
radiator, steering, head lamps, braking systems. Doing so may interfere 
with the vehicle's operation and cause an accident.
Do not install in areas of high moisture, dust or air intake paths. Doing so 
may hinder the performance of the PathFindIR LE unit and cause image 
degradation or window damage.
Use only authorized parts and accessories. Doing so helps assure proper 
mounting and connectivity and limits external issues associated with 
poorly secured mounting and wiring.Caution: Supplying power to the unit outside of the recommended and 
stated values will result in system malfunction and void the warranty. 
This may also result in excessive heat build up, shock, or fire. 
						

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Disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal prior to installation.
Connect the unit to the vehicle power distribution block using an available 
fused (2 amp) connection. Be sure to connect each lead to the correct 
polarity (red-positive and black-negative).
Be sure to securely mount the system to assure reliable connections and 
stable system performance.
Record the serial number, date of purchase, location of purchase and keep 
in a safe place.
When making connections to the vehicle’s electrical system be aware of 
the vehicle’s installed components (i.e. on board computer system).
Do not mount a display where it will distract the driver or adversely affect 
the driver’s vision. 
7.5 Installation Assistance
FLIR offers installation kits which are suitable for many applications. 
Refer to Chapter 5.1.2 “PathFindIR LE Vision Enhancement Kit” on page 
5-14 for more information.
If your company has applications for a specific vehicle utilizing 
PathFindIR LE cameras please contact FLIR Systems, Inc. directly to 
discuss your needs.
7.6 Mounting Assistance
The following are some general guidelines which will assist your 
professional service and installer with good mounting positions and 
connections.
The PathFindIR LE is a thermal imaging system. As such, it will not “see 
through” windows or obstructions. The system should be mounted outside 
the vehicle's cabin (interior) and in such a location to assure a similar 
driving viewing field of view as normal head lamps and human vision.  
						

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FLIR Systems Inc. is not liable for any modifications made to the vehicle's 
body, or aftermarket parts. Owner assumes all risk when modifying 
vehicles body, frame, grill, or any other structure. Care should be taken 
when drilling or cutting into parts. Contact your vehicle manufacture to 
assure that the mounting location does not affect the performance, 
operation, or safety features of your vehicle.
Mounting should be performed by a FLIR-authorized service center or 
professional installer of automotive aftermarket equipment. Many shops 
familiar with rear vision cameras will be able to assist in the mounting and 
location of the PathFindIR LE system, as well as proper display mounting 
and integration.
Caution: Contact your vehicle manufacture to assure that your mounting 
location does not affect any sensors found in bumpers or grills (such as 
air bag deployment devices). Mounting the PathFindIR LE should never 
interfere with the mechanical or electrical components or airways to 
maintain vehicle performance or operations. 
						

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8 Infrared Technology
8.1  History of Infrared
Less than 200 years ago the existence of the infrared portion of the 
electromagnetic spectrum wasn't even suspected. The original significance 
of the infrared spectrum, or simply ‘the infrared’ as it is often called, as a 
form of heat radiation is perhaps less obvious today than it was at the time 
of its discovery by Herschel in 1800. 
Figure 8-1: Sir William Herschel (1738–1822)
The discovery was made accidentally during the search for a new optical 
material. Sir William Herschel—Royal Astronomer to King George III of 
England, and already famous for his discovery of the planet Uranus—was 
searching for an optical filter material to reduce the brightness of the sun’s 
image in telescopes during solar observations. While testing different 
samples of colored glass which gave similar reductions in brightness he 
was intrigued to find that some of the samples passed very little of the 
sun’s heat, while others passed so much heat that he risked eye damage 
after only a few seconds’ observation. 
Herschel was soon convinced of the necessity of setting up a systematic 
experiment, with the objective of finding a single material that would give 
the desired reduction in brightness as well as the maximum reduction in 
heat. He began the experiment by actually repeating Newton’s prism 
experiment, but looking for the heating effect rather than the visual 
distribution of intensity in the spectrum. He first blackened the bulb of a 
sensitive mercury-in-glass thermometer with ink, and with this as his 
radiation detector he proceeded to test the heating effect of the various 
colors of the spectrum formed on the top of a table by passing sunlight 
through a glass prism. Other thermometers, placed outside the sun’s rays, 
served as controls.  
						

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As the blackened thermometer was moved slowly along the colors of the 
spectrum, the temperature readings showed a steady increase from the 
violet end to the red end. This was not entirely unexpected, since the 
Italian researcher, Landriani, in a similar experiment in 1777 had 
observed much the same effect. It was Herschel, however, who was the 
first to recognize that there must be a point where the heating effect 
reaches a maximum, and those measurements confined to the visible 
portion of the spectrum failed to locate this point. 
Figure 8-2: Marsilio Landriani (1746–1815)
Moving the thermometer into the dark region beyond the red end of the 
spectrum, Herschel confirmed that the heating continued to increase. The 
maximum point, when he found it, lay well beyond the red end—in what is 
known today as the ‘infrared wavelengths’.
When Herschel revealed his discovery, he referred to this new portion of 
the electromagnetic spectrum as the ‘thermometrical spectrum’. The 
radiation itself he sometimes referred to as ‘dark heat’, or simply ‘the 
invisible rays’. Ironically, and contrary to popular opinion, it wasn't 
Herschel who originated the term ‘infrared’. The word only began to appear 
in print around 75 years later, and it is still unclear who should receive 
credit as the originator.
Herschel’s use of glass in the prism of his original experiment led to some 
early controversies with his contemporaries about the actual existence of 
the infrared wavelengths. Different investigators, in attempting to confirm 
his work, used various types of glass indiscriminately, having different 
transparencies in the infrared. Through his later experiments, Herschel 
was aware of the limited transparency of glass to the newly-discovered 
thermal radiation, and he was forced to conclude that optics for the 
infrared would probably be doomed to the use of reflective elements 
exclusively (i.e. plane and curved mirrors). Fortunately, this proved to be