ThermovisionFLIR DSeries Installation and Operation Manual

							427-9030-01-12, version 130 Mar 2014 3-1
3Advanced Configuration
In this chapter, additional configuration settings related to the following topics are described:
• Optimizing the thermal image (Setup web pages)
• Using the Surveillance features (Auto Scan, Scan List)
• Starting and stopping the Nexus server (Maintenance web pages)
• Configuring the camera to work with a serial device such as a keyboard
• Configuring the camera to work with a third-party VMS (ONVIF)
• Setting up the video streams to optimize quality and network performance
• Making a backup of the configuration
When configuration changes are made with the web browser, the settings are saved to a configuration 
file. It is a good idea to make a backup of the existing configuration file prior to making changes, and 
another backup once the changes are finalized. If necessary the camera can be restored to its original 
factory configuration or one of the saved configurations. For more information, refer to 
section 3.7 
“Configuration File” on page 3-16.
3.1 Thermal Image Setup
In most installations it will not be necessary to change the thermal camera from it’s default settings. 
However in some situations, depending on weather, time of day and so on, it may be useful to make 
changes to the video image to enhance the image by modifying one or more of the parameters. 
The Setup menu has configuration options for making changes to the IR (thermal) camera, the daylight 
camera (DLTV), and the pan/tilt. The changes made through the Setup page generally have an 
immediate effect (it is not necessary to stop and restart the server). Note, it is necessary to save the 
changes if it is desirable to use the new settings at power up (see 
section 3.1.1 “Save Settings”).
In the Setup page for the IR camera, a single JPEG image (a snapshot) is displayed in the upper right-
hand corner. To update this image at any time, it is necessary to select the Refresh button. This will 
cause the entire page to refresh, including the image and all the parameter values (be patient, this may 
take some time).  
						

							3-2 427-9030-01-12 Rev 130 Mar 2014
3Advanced Configuration
ROI
The camera adjustments under the ROI 
heading allow the user to make changes 
to the Region Of Interest. The ROI 
determines what portion of the image is 
considered by the Automatic Gain 
Control (AGC) algorithm. By default all 
of the pixels in the image are 
considered; in some cases it may 
provide an improved image if a portion 
of the image is excluded. For example, 
the sky is generally very cold, so if the ROI excludes the sky it may add more contrast to the rest of the 
image. A pull-down list offers some convenient options. 
AGC
The AGC parameters affect how the overall video image appears. The default Plateau algorithm is 
suitable for most installations, but in some cases one of the other selections may provide a more 
appealing image, depending on personal preferences. Be aware the settings that are optimal at one 
time may be less optimal a short time later, since conditions such as weather and time of day affect 
the image and are constantly changing. 
Experiment with different AGC modes 
to find the settings that work best for the 
particular installation (it may be best to 
start with the Scene Presets options, 
see below). It is always possible to 
return to the default settings by 
selecting the Factory Defaults button at 
the bottom of the page.
With the Plateau mode, the ITT Mean parameter will effect overall brightness, and the Max Gain 
parameter can generally be used to increase contrast (although it may also increase noise due to 
gain).
Scene Presets
Each Scene Preset provides a 
combination of AGC and Digital 
Detail Enhancement (DDE, see 
below) parameters that are preferred 
for certain types of conditions. Select 
a preset that provides an image that 
is optimal for the installation.
Digital Detail Enhancement (DDE)
DDE is an image processing technique that enhances details by emphasizing lines and edges. 
Increasing the DDE setting may make it possible to see fine details more easily, but it could also make 
the image somewhat more grainy or pixilated. 
						

							427-9030-01-12 Rev130 Mar 2014 3-3
3Advanced Configuration
Flat Field Correction (FFC)
A Flat Field Correction operation can be used to correct for non-uniform responsivity within the pixel 
array. A shutter activates inside the camera and provides a target of uniform temperature, allowing the 
camera to correct for ambient temperature changes and provide the best possible image. The 
camera performs FFC at regular intervals or when the ambient temperature changes, but can also be 
performed as desired and may cause an overall image improvement. Refer to 
section 2.8.1 “Image 
freezes momentarily” on page 2-19. 
3.1.1 Save Settings    
All of the IR-0 settings in the Setup page are dynamic and 
have an immediate effect, similar to the Advance Sensor 
Panel of FSM. When the Save Settings button at the bottom 
of the page is selected, the camera will use the saved 
settings whenever the power is cycled. To restore the IR camera to the original settings, select the 
Factory Defaults button and then click on Save Settings. 
3.2 Surveillance (Auto Scan / Scan List)
The Setup page also provides access to two convenient Surveillance features, Auto Scan and Scan 
List. The web interface can be used to start or stop an Auto Scan or Scan List, and provides limited 
configuration and management options. For greater flexibility, the FSM program is especially useful 
for setting up and managing Auto Scan, Scan Lists and Presets.
 
3.2.1 Auto Scan
It is possible to operate the camera in a simple back-and-forth (left-right) scan mode. To use the Auto 
Scan feature (also known as AutoPan when using serial communications), set the scan width (narrow, 
medium, or wide) relative to the current position and the scan speed (fast, medium, or slow) and then 
click Start. It is also possible to set absolute left and right limits (in degrees) and the pan speed, and 
then start the Auto Scan mode.
3.2.2 Scan List
In many cases with a pan/tilt camera, it may be useful to designate certain commonly-used pan/tilt 
locations as Presets, and to put the camera in Scan List mode where it automatically moves from one 
Preset to the next sequentially and repeats the pattern continuously. It may be useful to have several 
Scan Lists available, for different times of the day or for different circumstances. 
It may be more convenient to use FSM to set up the Presets and Scan Lists, since it allows viewing of 
the video at the same time. However, the web interface can be used to add/change a particular Preset 
or to set up a simple Scan List.
To create a Scan List with the browser, point the camera toward a preferred location/scene, select a 
Preset ID from the pull-down list, and then click on Set. To add a new preset, move the camera to the 
next location, select a new Preset ID, and click Set again. Up to 128 Preset locations can be used in a 
Scan List. If more than one Scan List has been created using FSM, a particular Scan List can be 
loaded from the browser and started.  
						

							3-4 427-9030-01-12 Rev 130 Mar 2014
3Advanced Configuration
3.3 Maintenance Mode
When Maintenance is selected at the top of the page, the configuration changes that are allowed are 
grouped according to the primary buttons on the left: Server, Sensor, and Files. In the previous 
chapter, the Server settings (LAN Settings, Services, and Security Options) were described. The 
following paragraphs describe additional Sensor configuration options available under the 
Maintenance mode that are used in some installations.
 For the configuration changes in the 
remainder of this chapter, it is necessary to save the changes, then stop and restart the server to 
make the changes effective. 
3.3.1 Configuration Changes That Require Restart
Many additional configuration options are available that are not described in this manual. It is 
recommended you contact FLIR Technical Support if you need information about additional 
configuration options that are not described in this manual.
When the Maintenance page is first selected, the Server Status page is displayed by default. The 
page provides an indication of the current server status (either running or stopped) and buttons for 
starting or stopping the server or for rebooting the system.  
After making configuration changes, it is necessary to save the changes to the server (there is a Save 
button at the bottom of each configuration page). Once you save configuration changes to the server, 
the changes do not take effect immediately. Generally it is also necessary to stop and restart the 
server for the changes to become effective. The server has a configuration that is active and running, 
and another configuration that is saved (and possibly different than the running configuration).  
						

							427-9030-01-12 Rev130 Mar 2014 3-5
3Advanced Configuration
The message at the bottom of the page indicates the 
saved configuration is different than the active 
(running) configuration, and it is necessary to restart 
the server. 
3.3.2 Restarting the Server
After changes have been saved, it is possible to return to the Server Status page and click on the 
Stop button. However, it is even easier to simply click on the green light at the lower left next to “Server 
Running” to stop the server. 
It may take up to 20 seconds or more to stop the server, 
especially when there are multiple video streams open. Be 
patient when stopping the server.
When the server is stopped and the page is refreshed, the status will show as “Server Stopped.” and 
the light will be off. On the Status page, the Start button will be enabled rather than Stop.
Click on the light again (or the Start button on the Status page) to restart the server, and when the 
page refreshes, the status will again show as “Server Running…”. The Start button will be replaced by 
a Stop button when the startup procedure has completed.
Click here to stop 
the server 
						

							3-6 427-9030-01-12 Rev 130 Mar 2014
3Advanced Configuration
3.4 Serial Communications (Serial Remote)
In some installations, a serial device such as a keyboard, joystick, or other device is used to control 
camera functions such as pan/tilt or zoom. A serial device can also be used to access functions that 
are specific to thermal cameras, such as changing the polarity from white hot to black hot. Refer to 
section 3.4.1 “AutoPan Function” on page 3-9 for additional information.
The Serial Remote settings are used to configure the serial communication parameters when the 
camera is controlled with a serial device. For serial communications, it is necessary to set the 
parameters such as the signalling standard (RS-232 or RS-422), baud rate, number of stop bits, 
parity and so on. It is also necessary to select the communication protocol used (either Pelco D or 
Bosch) and the camera address. 
On the Serial Remote configuration page, the buttons at the top of the page allow configuration of 
three SerialRemote devices: 0, 1, and 2. SerialRemote 0 is used as a switch to select either Pelco D 
or Bosch serial communications protocol. The actual serial parameters (such as baud rate) are 
configured for either SerialRemote 1 (for Pelco D) or SerialRemote 2 (for Bosch).
With SerialRemote 0 selected, set the Serial Remote Protocol to either Pelco D Serial Remote or 
Bosch Serial Remote. Ensure the Enabled parameter is set to Yes. If necessar y, click Save to save the 
changes. 
						

							427-9030-01-12 Rev130 Mar 2014 3-7
3Advanced Configuration
If the Pelco D protocol is to be used, select SerialRemote 1 and wait for the page to refresh, and then 
configure the Remote Port Settings such as Speed (baud rate), Data Bits, Parity and Stop Bits. Set the 
Address parameter to the appropriate Pelco address. It may be necessary to use the scroll bar on the 
right side of the page to access the settings.
When Use Preset Map File is set to Yes (the default), then presets (and special functions known as 
Aux commands) can be used to access certain settings that are specific to the FLIR thermal camera, 
such as switching between White Hot and Black Hot settings. See 
section 3.4.3 “Preset Map File” on 
page 3-10 for information about the Preset Map File. 
The Initial Selected Camera is used to designate which camera (IR or DLTV) in a multi-sensor camera 
is selected as the initial Active camera. When a command such as “Zoom In” is sent to the camera, it 
will affect the Active camera, regardless of which video stream is displayed.  
						

							3-8 427-9030-01-12 Rev 130 Mar 2014
3Advanced Configuration
In the Joystick settings, the Mode parameter, when set to FOV Dependant, allows a pan/tilt camera to 
adjust the pan speed automatically, depending on the current field of view (FOV). For a narrow FOV, 
the camera moves more slowly. If you do not want to limit the pan speed according to the FOV, set the 
parameter to Absolute.
The Pilot Mode parameter controls the direction of tilt when the joystick is moved forward or 
backward. When Pilot Mode is set to yes, the camera points downward when the joystick is moved 
forward, similar to the way an aircraft would move. If the mode is set to no, the joystick operates as 
one would expect with a video game controller. 
The parameters in the Advanced Settings are related to Scan Lists and the AutoPan feature. Refer to 
section 3.4.3 “Preset Map File” and section 3.4.1 “AutoPan Function” below for more information 
about these features.
If any of the parameters for SerialRemote 1 are changed, click Save to save the changes. Generally 
most of the other Serial Remote parameters which were not specifically described above do not need 
to be changed (for SerialRemote 1 and SerialRemote 2, it is ok if the Enabled parameter is set to no). 
If the Bosch protocol is to be used instead, select SerialRemote 2 and wait for the page to refresh, 
and then configure the Remote Port Settings such as Speed (baud rate), Data Bits, Parity and Stop  
						

							427-9030-01-12 Rev130 Mar 2014 3-9
3Advanced Configuration
Bits. Select the appropriate Hardware Protocol (RS-422 or RS-232), and set the Address parameter 
to the appropriate Bosch address. If necessary, click Save to save the changes.
Note
Typical Bosch systems operate over a biphase connection and the FLIR cameras do not accept 
biphase signals directly. It may be necessary to install a biphase converter in order to use the Bosch 
protocol.
3.4.1 AutoPan Function
In many cases with a pan/tilt camera, it may be desirable to use a simple back-and-forth (left-right) 
scan pattern, rather than a Scan List set of presets. To use the AutoPan feature (also known as Auto 
Scan), set the left and right pan limits and the pan speed, and then start the AutoPan mode. The 
functions for setting up the AutoPan limits and for controlling the AutoPan function are available using 
presets and are described in the following table..
Ta b l e 3-1: AutoPan functions
PRESET GOTO 90GoToPanLimitLeft
PRESET GOTO 91GoToPanLimitRight
PRESET GOTO 92SetPanLimitLeft
PRESET GOTO 93SetPanLimitRight
PRESET GOTO 94IncrementAutoPanSpeed
PRESET GOTO 95DecrementAutoPanSpeed
PRESET GOTO 96St o p Au t o Pa n
PRESET GOTO 99StartAutoPan 
						

							3-10 427-9030-01-12 Rev 130 Mar 2014
3Advanced Configuration
3.4.2 Serial Extensions
In addition to the set of standard commands that would be used on an ordinary CCTV camera, control 
commands that allow access to more advanced features, or features that are specific to a particular 
type of equipment, are available through extensions to the serial protocol. These extended 
commands are quite useful when controlling features that are specific to FLIR thermal cameras. 
In the Pelco D protocol, these additional functions can be accessed using the Aux On and Aux Off 
extensions and are available by default. Many keyboards that support Pelco protocols have Aux On 
and Aux Off buttons for selecting these functions. As an example, the following functions are typically 
supported by default 
3.4.3 Preset Map File
Most pan/tilt cameras support predetermined pan/tilt locations that are stored as “presets’. A 
collection of presets is known as a Scan List (also referred to as a Pattern or Tour), A Scan List is used 
to direct the camera to a sequence of locations that are typically viewed, or are considered important 
or high-priority. Using the FSM software, multiple scan lists for a camera can be set up and scheduled 
according to time of day and other factors. 
However, presets can also be used to access other functions. The camera is capable of storing up to 
128 Presets, but generally not that many are needed, so some presets can be reassigned to access 
the other functions. For keyboards that do not have the Aux buttons, camera presets can be used to 
accomplish the extended functions described above. For example, if preset 41 is not being used for 
an actual preset location, it can be mapped to one of the above functions, such as 
IRPolarityBlackHot. To allow mapping of the serial functions, set the “Use Preset Map File” parameter 
to yes. 
Ta b l e 3-2: Aux Functions
AuX ON 1IRPolarityBlackHot
AUX OFF 1IRPolarityWhiteHot
AUX ON 2DLTVChangeActiveSource
AUX OFF 2IRChangeActiveSource
AUX ON 3TogglePlateauValue
AUX OFF 3IRToggleAGCType
AUX ON 4To g g l e A u t o f o c u s
AUX OFF 4IRStartNUCCalibration
AUX OFF 5IRToggleLUTPalette
AUX ON 6IRToggleDDEGain
AUX OFF 6IRToggleAGCROI
AUX ON 7IRToggleFOV
AUX OFF 7IRToggleAGCMaxGain
AUX ON 8SwitchCameraOn
AUX OFF 8SwitchCameraOff
AUX ON 9InitializePT
AUX OFF 9GoToParkPosition