Hood River, Oregon: Sierra-Olympic Technologies, Inc., one of the world’s leading suppliers of mid-wave infrared camera cores, has developed a new line of long-range, continuous zoom thermal cameras equipped with a cutting-edge, high operating temperature (HOT) MWIR sensor that boasts several distinct advantages over traditional cooled mid-wave infrared systems.
The new Ventus HOT line is built around an advanced Type II Strained Later Superlattice (T2SL) detector. This “HOT” MWIR sensor operates at significantly warmer temperatures than traditional InSb MWIR detectors, which translates to less strain on the cooling mechanism, faster cool-down times, longer overall cooler life and time between maintenance events and, ultimately, lower overall cost of ownership.
Available in VGA (640 x 512) resolution in 15-300 mm, 35-690 mm and 45-900 mm F4.0 continuous zoom lens models, the Ventus HOT series is designed for integrators in long-range security and surveillance markets.
“The Ventus HOT represents the latest evolution of mid-wave infrared technology for long-range applications,” said Chris Johnston, Sierra-Olympic Technologies President. “We have provided thousands of mid-wave cameras for systems integration and have worked across the industry for many years. Something we’ve learned, perhaps better than any company out there, are the many nuances and complexities of putting mid-wave zoom lenses together with mid-wave censors. Our team and laboratories are equipped with the tools and expertise to tie together all the functions of the lens, power supply, cooler, sensor electronics and video processing to turn a sensor and a lens into a powerful and highly-capable camera system.”
Like many cameras from Sierra-Olympic Technologies, the Ventus HOT is designed for customers who plan to design their own fixtures to enclose and protect the system and harnesses to connect it to outside world. Because the Ventus HOT requires less cooling than traditional MWIR systems, less stress is put on the cooling mechanism, which translates to a longer lifetime.
“Out of the box all of our customers get a 25-month warranty,” Johnston said. “Anecdotally, this HOT MWIR sensor technology and high-durability long-life oversized cooler will easily reach its warranted cooler hours. Generally, 20,000 hours is the rated life. It is the right combination of size, cost, and adaptability of optics that allowed us to create this family of products.”
The three Ventus HOT models are an addition the larger Ventus family of cameras from Sierra-Olympic, all of which incorporate zoom optics with cooled MWIR technology. Other industry-leading variants include the Ventus OGI- an cutting-edge optical gas imaging camera and the Ventus Micro- a miniaturized 16-180 mm system designed to fit into 150 mm gimbals.
For more information on the Ventus HOT or other offerings from Sierra-Olympic Technologies, visit www.sierraolympic.com or email [email protected].
Ventus HOT key specifications:
Resolution: 640 x 512
Sensor: T2SL HOT MWIR
Pitch15μmFramerate 60 Hz
Optical zoom 20x
Digital zoom 4x
Focus: One-touch autofocus, manual
Digital Video Output: HDMI or SDI
IP Video Output: MJPEG or H.264/265 encoded RTP
System Control: Serial or Ethernet
Onboard video storage: Micro SD, 32 GB.
Classification: EAR 6A003.b.4.a
About Sierra-Olympic Technologies:
Founded in 1995, Sierra-Olympic Technologies is an independent supplier of advanced infrared cameras and components, with a specialty in compact systems for UAV integration. The company has been a key innovator in thermal imaging technology for more than 25 years and continues to develop industry-leading technologies and solutions for commercial, military, government, academic and OEM customers around the world.