September 18, 2020 Clio Lu

What is a thermal imaging camera? How does it work?

Any object with a temperature above absolute zero emits a detectable amount of infra-red (IR) radiation. The higher an object’s temperature, the higher intensity of emitted IR. Taking advantage of the differences in IR intensity between objects, thermal cameras make the invisible IR “visible” in the form of heat zone images.

Covering security, thermography, and commercial integration, Aukoo's thermal cameras guarantee layered situational awareness across a range of scenarios such as perimeter protection, temperature measurement, and fire detection. They “see” from extended distances under virtually any light or weather condition, distinguishing people and vehicles from other objects with Deep Learning capabilities. Augmented with visible light imaging and visualized metadata, our thermal cameras can be your ideal choice for enhanced awareness of events and emergencies 24/7.

Our thermal products feature the following innovative functions for better environmental adaptability:

Auto Gain Control (AGC)
- AGC adjusts the dynamic range of the image to help the image retain balanced brightness.
Digital Detail Enhancement (DDE)

3D Digital Noise Reduction (DNR).

3D DNR further minimizes the influence of “hot pixels”, making images appear even sharper.

Advanced detector
- All products utilize an advanced detector where the NETD is less than 40 mK, with some products’ NETD even less than 35 mK.
Proprietary imaging effects
- With 16 years of experience in imaging technologies, Hikvision’s proprietary AGC, DDE, and 3D DNR technologies have been uniquely developed to provide great advantages in imaging effects.
Self-protection mechanisms
- Our thermal products boast proven capabilities to work in harsh environments (-40° C to 60° C), with self-protective temperature controls with intelligent heating/cooling adjustment to prevent freezing and fog during non-stop, year-round operation.

Stable long-distance transmission
- Normal cameras can only withstand a ±10% voltage fluctuation. Hikvision Thermal Cameras are specially designed to adapt to situations with up to ±20% voltage fluctuation and 5% packet loss.
Easy positioning for the visible-light module
- For most bi-spectrum products, accurate positioning for the visible-light module is very difficult, requiring constant manual adjustment. Hikvision’s optical & thermal PTZ cameras, however, are equipped with an axis adjustment technology that ensures both thermal and visible imaging maintain precisely the same view. When the thermal module detects anomalies, the visible-light module can automatically locate and track relevant details.

With the ability to provide clear imaging, accurate temperature measurement, and advanced intelligence based on deep learning, our thermal series products can be utilized in various application scenarios:

Built to endure harsh outdoor environments and equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, the Security Series can be easily turned into advanced perimeter protection systems for critical infrastructures. Designed in a sleek form factor and with diverse models and appearances, the handheld Thermography Series is widely used for indoor fire prevention, electrical and mechanical inspections, etc. With handheld monocular and binocular devices as well as core thermal components, the Commercial Vision Series keeps expanding new possibilities in the commercial application of thermal technologies.