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Automated QC & Comprehensive Parameter Testing Solution for Thermal Imager Production Lines

For quality control on thermal imager production lines, Chengdu Yingshengyuan delivers an integrated automated test solution based on the IRCM series comprehensive test system, high-precision area blackbodies, infrared test targets, and electro-optical autocollimators. It enables fast and accurate measurement of core parameters including NETD, MRTD, MTF, boresight alignment, distortion, and radiometric response, meeting evaluation and testing requirements for long-wave, mid-wave, and short-wave infrared complete systems.

Infrared TestingProduction QCAutomated TestingNETDMRTDMTF
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Solution Overview

The core of thermal imager production line QC lies in comprehensive assessment of imaging quality and optical performance. This solution integrates Yingshengyuan's in-house IR Thermal Imager Comprehensive Test System (IRCM Series), High-Precision Area Blackbody (IBBE Series), Infrared Test Targets, and Electro-Optical Autocollimator (IRCM-AC) to form a fully automated test chain spanning radiation source excitation, optical imaging, and parameter analysis. It covers NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference), MRTD (Minimum Resolvable Temperature Difference), MTF (Modulation Transfer Function), boresight alignment, distortion, and radiometric response – meeting the stringent requirements of production line batch testing for efficiency and repeatability.

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Core Equipment & Selection

EquipmentModel / SeriesFunction
IR Thermal Imager Comprehensive Test SystemIRCM SeriesAutomated testing of complete system imaging parameters, including NETD, MRTD, MDTD, MTF, boresight alignment, distortion, and radiometric response
High-Precision Area BlackbodyIBBE-100A/D, IBBE-200A/D, IBBE-300A/DProvides stable radiating surface for detector process testing, thermal imager performance evaluation, and uniformity correction
Infrared Test TargetCustomUsed with collimator for MRTD/MTF calibration; high-emissivity coating on metal backplate structure
Electro-Optical AutocollimatorIRCM-ACHigh-precision two-axis angle measurement for boresight alignment verification and optical instrument alignment
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Automated Test Chain Description

The test chain uses the IBBE Area Blackbody as the standard radiation source. Specific patterns are formed by the Infrared Test Target and projected through a collimator onto the thermal imager under test. The imager output frames are captured and automatically analyzed by the IRCM Comprehensive Test System to compute NETD, MRTD, MTF, distortion, radiometric response, and other parameters. Meanwhile, the IRCM-AC Electro-Optical Autocollimator measures boresight alignment to ensure alignment accuracy in multi-optical-path or dual-channel systems. The entire test flow is software-controlled, supporting sequence testing and data traceability, and is adaptable to production line cycle times.

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Key Parameter Test Methods

  • NETD: Temperature difference excitation from the blackbody; the IRCM calculates noise equivalent temperature difference to evaluate detector sensitivity.
  • MRTD: Four-bar target patterns at varying contrast are presented; the minimum resolvable temperature difference is determined by an operator or automated judgment system.
  • MTF: Edge or slit targets are used; modulation transfer function is computed from edge response analysis to quantify spatial frequency response.
  • Boresight Alignment: The autocollimator measures angular deviation between optical channels, ensuring coaxiality in multi-mode systems.
  • Distortion: Grid targets or feature point extraction techniques calculate geometric image deformation.
  • Radiometric Response: Calibration at multiple blackbody temperatures establishes the relationship between output gray level and scene radiance.
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Solution Advantages

  • Integrated approach: A single IRCM system handles multiple core parameters, reducing floor space and operational complexity on the production line.
  • Fully automated flow: Target switching, blackbody temperature control, and data analysis are all automated, minimizing human error and boosting test throughput.
  • Flexible adaptability: Supports long/mid-wave and short-wave IR complete systems; customizable target patterns and test sequences.
  • High precision traceability: Blackbodies, targets, and autocollimators are precision-calibrated to ensure traceable test data.
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FAQ

Can this solution test thermal imagers operating in different wavebands simultaneously?
Yes. The IRCM series comprehensive test system supports evaluation of long/mid-wave as well as short-wave IR complete systems. With corresponding targets and blackbodies, it covers production line QC requirements across different wavebands.
What is the test cycle time? Is it suitable for high-volume production lines?
The solution uses a fully automated test chain. Single test time depends on the number of parameters and accuracy requirements. In a typical configuration, the full set of NETD, MRTD, MTF, boresight alignment, distortion, and radiometric response can be completed within a few minutes. It can be run in parallel or in a pipeline mode to match production line cycle times. Specific cycle times can be optimized per customer requirements.
What area sizes are available for the blackbody radiating surface?
The IBBE series area blackbodies offer multiple radiating surface sizes, including models IBBE-100A/D, IBBE-200A/D, and IBBE-300A/D, to suit different fields of view and test scenarios. Please refer to the product pages for details.
How is high-precision boresight alignment measurement achieved?
The IRCM-AC electro-optical autocollimator uses the autocollimation principle to measure two-axis angular deviation between optical paths of the system under test, achieving arc-second level precision. It is suitable for boresight alignment verification in binocular and multi-optical-path thermal imagers.

Tell Us Your Testing Needs

For more product details, please visit IRCM Comprehensive Test System, High-Precision Area Blackbody, Infrared Test Target, and Electro-Optical Autocollimator. For technical inquiries or customized solutions, feel free to Contact Us.

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