Tau 2 LWIR Thermal Imaging Camera Cores 
Tau 2 is the latest generation product in FLIR’s Tau family of LWIR uncooled thermal imaging camera cores.
Two significant advances in Tau 2 are the introduction of:
- Enhanced electronics for improved image processing; and
- FLIR’s 336×256, 17μ-pitch sensor format (in addition to the 324×256, 25μ-pitch & 640×512, 17μ-pitch Tau 2 versions)
There is no difference in form or fit between Tau 2 and the first generation Tau cameras. The upgraded Tau 2 electronics enable additional functions and capabilities that are planned for release on a periodic basis. A comparison of the Tau2 version evolution can be found here: Tau Feature Comparison. Note that earlier versions of Tau (1.X) cannot be upgraded to the newer Tau 2 configuration.
Since the electronics are common between the Tau 2 – 640, Tau 2 – 336, and Tau 2 – 324, integrators have direct compatibility between the different camera formats, and most Tau camera versions share the same lens options.
FLIR also offers three low-cost Tau 2 options for applications that do not require high resolution imaging:
- Tau2 160 a 160×128 with 25 μ-pitch
- Tau2 162 a 160×128 with 50 μ-pitch
- Tau2 168 a 160×128 with 34 μ-pitch
Download the FLIR Camera Controller GUI
Specifications
Overview |
Tau 640 |
Tau 336 |
Tau 324 |
| Thermal Imager | Uncooled VOx Microbolometer | ||
| FPA / Digital Video Display Formats | 640 × 512 | 336 × 256 | 324 × 256 |
| Analog Video Display Formats | 640 × 480 (NTSC); 640 × 512 (PAL)1 | ||
| Pixel Pitch | 17 μm | 25 μm | |
| Spectral Band | 7.5 – 13.5 μm | ||
| Full Frame Rates | 30 Hz (NTSC) 25 Hz (PAL) |
30/60 Hz (NTSC) 25/50 Hz (PAL) |
|
| Exportable Frame Rates | 7.5 Hz NTSC; 8.3 Hz PAL | ||
| Sensitivity (NEdT) | <50 mK at f/1.0 | ||
| Scene Range (High Gain) | -25°C to +135°C | -25°C to +100°C | -25°C to +135°C |
| Scene Range (Low Gain) | -40°C to +550°C | ||
| Time to Image | <5.0 sec | <4.0 sec | |
| Factory Optimized Video | Yes | ||
Physical Attributes |
Tau 640 |
Tau 336 |
Tau 324 |
| Size (w/o lens) | 1.75″ x 1.75″ x 1.18″ | ||
| Lensed & Lensless Configurations Available | Yes | ||
| Precision Mounting Holes (M2x0.4) on 3 sides (2 per side) |
Yes | ||
| Sealable Bulkhead Mounting Feature on Lens Barrel (M29×1.0), WFOV Only |
Yes | ||
Radiometric Features |
Tau 640 |
Tau 336 |
Tau 324 |
| Isotherms | See Product Spec page 34 Section 3.3.3.1 | ||
| Spot Meter | Temperatures measured in central 4×4 | ||
Advanced Radiometry |
Improved accuracy, moveable spot meter, image metric data, T-Linear (digital output) (OEM part number required, additional charge) |
||
Image Processing & Display Controls |
Tau 640 |
Tau 336 |
Tau 324 |
| NTSC/PAL (field switchable) | Yes | ||
| Image Optimization | Yes | ||
| Digital Detail Enhancement | Yes | ||
| Invert/Revert (analog and 8-bit digital) | Yes | ||
| Polarity Control (black hot/white hot) | Yes | ||
| Color & Monochrome Palettes (LUTs) | Yes | ||
| Digital Zoom | 2x, 4x, 8x | 2x, 4x | |
| Continuous Zoom | Yes | ||
| Symbology (256 gray & 256 color) | Yes, single-pixel resolution for all models | ||
Digital Video |
Tau 640 |
Tau 336 |
Tau 324 |
| LVDS (14-bit or 8-bit) | Yes | ||
| CMOS (14-bit or 8-bit) | Yes | ||
| BT.656 (8-bit) | Yes | ||
| Camera Link (Expansion Bus Accessory Module) | Yes | ||
| Slow Video Option (factory configured) | Yes | ||
Interfacing |
Tau 640 |
Tau 336 |
Tau 324 |
| Primary Electrical Connector | 50-pin Hirose | ||
| Input Power (max 2.5 amp during shutter) | 4.0 – 6.0 VDC | ||
| Power Dissipation, steady state | <1.2 W | ~1.0 W | |
| Flat-Field Correction (FFC) Duration | <0.5 sec | ||
| Power Reduction Switch (disables analog video) | Yes | ||
| RS-232 Compatible Communication | 57,600 & 921,600 baud | ||
| External Sync Input/Output | Yes | ||
| Discrete I/O Controls Available | Yes (10-camera minimum) | ||
| Settable Splash Screens | Yes (10-camera minimum) | ||
| User Configurability via SDK & GUI | Yes | ||
| Dynamic Range Switching | No | Yes | |
Environmental |
Tau 640 |
Tau 336 |
Tau 324 |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to +80°C | ||
| Non-Operating Temperature Range | -55°C to +95°C | ||
| Temperature Shock | 5°/min | ||
| Operational Altitude | +40,000 feet | ||
| Humidity | 5% – 95% non-condensing | ||
| Vibration | 4.3g three axis, 8 hr each | ||
| Shock | 200g shock pulse w/ 11 msec sawtooth | ||
| ROHS | Compliant | ||
Wide Field of View (WFOV) Models
7.5 mm
|
9 mm
|
13 mm
|
19 mm
|
||
| Tau 640 (17μ 640×512) |
FoV iFoV |
90° x 69° 2.267 mr |
69° x 56° 1.889 mr |
45° x 37° 1.308 mr |
32° x 26° 0.895 mr |
| Tau 336 (17μ 336×256) |
FoV iFoV |
45° x 35° 2.267 mr |
35° x 27° 1.889 mr |
25° x 19° 1308 mr |
17° x 13° 0.895 mr |
| Tau 324 (25μ 324×256) |
FoV iFoV |
63° x 50° 3.333 mr |
48° x 37° 2.778 mr |
34° x 26° 1.923 mr |
24° x 18° 1.316 mr |
| Min Focus Distance | 2.5cm | 3.2cm | 7.6cm | 15.3cm | |
| Hyperfocal Distance | 1.2m | 2.1m | 4.4m | 9.5m | |
| Hyperfocal Depth of Field | 0.6m | 1.1m | 2.2m | 4.8m | |
| Lens Mount | M24x0.5 inside thread; M29x1.0 outside thread | ||||
| Length | 8mm | 9mm | 13mm | 19mm | |
| Diameter | 29mm | 29mm | 29mm | 29mm | |
| Weight | 72g | 72g | <70g | <70g | |
Narrow Field of View (NFOV) Models
25 mm
|
35 mm
|
50 mm
|
60 mm
|
100 mm
|
||
| Tau 640 (17μ 640×512) |
FoV iFoV |
25° x 20° 0.680 mr |
18° x 14° 0.486 mr |
12.4° x 9.9° 0.340 mr |
10.4° x 8.3° 0.283 mr |
6.2° x 5° 0.170 mr |
| Tau 336 (17μ 336×256) |
FoV iFoV |
13° x 10° 0.680 mr |
9.3° x 7.1° 0.486 mr |
6.5° x 5° 0.340 mr |
5.5° x 4.2° 0.283 mr |
3.3° x 2.5° 0.170 mr |
| Tau 324 (25μ 324×256) |
FoV iFoV |
18° x 14° 1.000 mr |
13° x 10° 0.714 mr |
9.1° x 6.9° 0.500 mr |
7.6° x 5.7° 0.417 mr |
4.6° x 3.7° 0.250 mr |
| Min Focus Distance | 30cm | 60cm | 1.5m | 2.3m | 7m | |
| Hyperfocal Distance | 21m | 35m | 71m | 122m | 160m | |
| Hyperfocal Depth of Field | 11m | 18m | 36m | 61m | 80m | |
| Lens Mount | M34x0.5 inside thread. | |||||
| Length | 25mm | 35mm | 50mm | 60mm | 100mm | |
| Diameter | 42mm | 42mm | 58mm | 61mm | 82mm | |
| Weight | 112g | 150g | 280g | 200g | 479g | |
- Tau 336 & 324 analog video is upsampled & interpolated to 640 × 480 for NTSC, and to 640 × 512 for PALback
Applications
Learn more about how others are using the FLIR Tau camera core.
AeroVironment
The Puma AE UAS uses a Tau 640. To learn more visit AVInc.com
Aeryon Scout
The Aeryon Scout sUAS uses a Tau2 640. To learn more visit Aeryon.com or check out sample imagery from the Scout
Cloud Cap
The TASE350 Gimbal uses a Tau 640. To learn more visit CloudCapTech.com
Nivisys
Nivisys UTAM-32 Universal Thermal Monocular uses a Tau 324. To learn more visit Nivisys.com
UAVS Poland
The ARS System gimbal designed for surveillance and security applications uses a Tau 640. Watch sample video or visit UAVS.eu to learn more
Draganfly
The Draganflyer X6 UAV uses a Tau 324. To learn more visit Draganfly.com
Lockheed
The Desert Hawk III UAS uses a Tau 640. To learn more visit LockheedMartin.com
Tuberculosis Free New Zealand
TB Free NZ is using a Tau2 25mm camera core in their UAVs. Watch the newscast to learn more TB Free NZ
Transformational Security
The TS-1 handheld thermal imager uses a Tau 640. To learn more visit PowerfulSecurity.com