Photon 640 - Flir Systems

Photon 640 

Affordable, High-Resolution, 

LWIR LWIR Camera Core

2 

The Industry Standard Thermal Imaging Camera Core: 

For Applications Where Reliability and Performance are Priorities 

The Photon 640 Camera Core is a compact, all-in-one thermal imager with outstanding 

sensitivity and image quality. Its on-focal-plane circuitry, combined with FLIR’s advanced 

signal processing electronics, enables the camera to maintain excellent dynamic range 

and image uniformity over a wide temperature range. 

FLIR based its design of the Photon 640 core on the Photon 320 core. This proven 

design has been embedded in tens of thousands of Photon cores in a myriad of 

applications including automotive night vision systems, fi refi ghting equipment, 

unmanned vehicle payloads, thermal sights, low-power security & surveillance products, 

and more. The Photon 640 core provides four times as many pixels on target. 

Photon rear view of 30-pin connector. 

Photon 640 Part Number Table: 

Lens Version Video Format Part Number 

No Lens NTSC 412-0126-01-07 

No Lens PAL 412-0126-02-07 

21.5mm NTSC 412-0126-09-07 

21.5mm PAL 412-0126-10-07 

25mm NTSC 412-0126-03-07 

25mm PAL 412-0126-04-07 

35mm NTSC 412-0126-05-07 

35mm PAL 412-0126-06-07 

49mm NTSC 412-0126-11-07 

49mm PAL 412-0126-12-07 

60mm NTSC 412-0126-13-07 

60mm PAL 412-0126-14-07 

100mm NTSC 412-0126-15-07 

100mm PAL 412-0126-16-07 

NOTE 1: For Slow video (

Photon 640 Benefi ts 

• 2x resolution improvement over Photon 320 (4x number of pixels) 

• Widest operating temperature, and highest shock rating of any thermal camera 

• 2x and 4x digital zoom enables close-up imaging 

• Electronic Pan/Tilt in Zoom Mode 

•

4 

Photon 640 Accessory Kit 

For evaluation purposes, FLIR offers an optional Accessory 

Kit enabling customers to operate a Photon until they 

develop their own interface. 

The Kit contains a power supply, breakout box (called an I/O 

Module), an interface cable, and an EMI adapter board that 

provides a 26-pin D-sub connector to the camera providing 

for secure connection to the interface cable. The end-user 

only needs to provide a video cable, monitor, and an RS-232 

cable if remote control of the Photon is desired. 

Note: The EMI adapter board is required in order to use the 

Photon 640 Ethernet Module accessory. 

A camera control software program (GUI) is available for 

free download at: 

www.corebyindigo.com/service/softwareupdates.cfm 

Photon OEM Accessory Kit. 

Photon 640 rear view showing 

26-pin connector. 

Photon 640 Accessory Kit 

The Photon 640 OEM Accessory Kit part number is 421-0030-00. These items may also be ordered individually. 

Part Accessory Item Functional Description 

421-0030-00 Photon 640 OEM Accessory Kit consisting of: 

The Kit contains a power supply, breakout box (called 

an I/O Module), an interface cable, and an EMI 

421-0028-00 Adapter/EMI Cover Kit 

adapter board and cover providing a 26-pin D-sub 

connector to the camera for secure connection 

to the interface cable. The EMI adapter board is 

required in order to use the Photon 640 Ethernet 

Module accessory. 

333-0018-00 I/O Module 

206-0001-20 AC/DC Power Supply 

208-0004-02 Line Cord 

308-0144-02 Interface Cable

Optional Accessories 

Part 

Accessory Item Functional Description 

333-0017-00 Photon Serial/Parallel (SIPO) Module The SIPO converts serial digital data output into a parallel data 

format for use with a frame grabber. The SIPO mates directly 

to the I/O module’s digital data port, and furnishes a 68-pin 

connector. 

333-0018-00 Photon Camera Interface (I/O) Module A molded “break-out-box” providing electrical interface to the 

camera, connectors for power-in (Switchcraft), video-out (BNC), 

com port (RS-232, 9-pin D-Sub), and a 15-pin connector for serial 

LVDS digital data. The I/O Module is designed to mate with the 

SIPO for conversion of serial LVDS to a parallel digital data signal. 

206-0001-20 & 

208-0004-02 

308-0013-00 

308-0016-00-03 

308-0144-01 

308-0144-02 

308-0144-03 

308-0145-01 

308-0145-02 

308-0145-03 

P/S Unv Pwr in (100-240VAC) 9 Volts & 

110 VAC Line Cord 

Interface Cable, SIPO to NI PCI-1422 

Interface Cable, SIPO to Bit Flow Road 

Runner 

Cable Assy - Photon 640 Interface, 3ft 



Cable Assy - Photon 640 Power/Video, 3ft 



421-0008-00 THV A10 Battery Pack, Charger, & Cable Kit 

206-0002-10 Battery Pack 7.2 volts, Li-ion 

260-0007-10 Modified Battery Cable 

Provides nominal power (9 VDC) to operate the Photon. 

Either of these cables can be used with a SIPO (333-0008-00) 

to transfer digital data to the selected frame grabber. See www. 

corebyindigo.com/service/softwareupdates.cfm for camera files. 

The standard interface cable connects between the 26-pin D-Sub 

connector of the Adapter/EMI Cover and the I/O module. The 

standard interface cable provided with the Accessory Kit is 6ft. 

Interface cable from Photon camera providing connectors for 

power in and output video (only) available in 3ft, 6ft, and 10ft 

lengths. This cable replaces the standard interface cable and I/O 

module when serial control and digital video are not required. 

Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery will power a Photon camera for 

6+ hours on a full charge. The battery is furnished with charger 

(not shown) and an 8” cable that interfaces to the I/O module. 

The nominal voltage output of the battery is 7.2 VDC. 

421-0028-00 Adapter/EMI Cover Kit - Photon 640 Photon 640 Adapter/EMI Cover Kit (44g) 

421-0031-00* Ethernet Kit consisting of: 

316-0015-05 Ethernet Adaptor Module 

308-0151-00 Photon 68 Pin to 26 Pin Cable 

415-0034-00, Cable, Power Assembly 

*Requires Adapter/EMI Cover Kit 421-0028-00 

This 100/1000 baseT Ethernet Interface module allows for 

camera control along with real-time streaming uncompressed 

video data from the Photon via standard ethernet hardware. The 

adapter auto senses network capability and runs at standard 

100-megabit or full gigabit ethernet speed. The module includes 

the ethernet interface adapter and camera cabling. The module 

allows capture of both 8-bit data and the full 14-bit bandwidth 

digital video. Analog video is also output via a BNC connector. 

261-2044-00 Photon 640 Tripod Adapter Adapter furnishes a ¼” x 20 helicoil insert. 

110-0102-46 Photon 640 SDK for windows & embedded The Photon SDK enables camera control using one of several 

programming languages including VB6, VB.net, C#, and C++ 

(MFC). Code examples are included to help illustrate how some of 

the camera control functions can be used. 

110-0102-72 Photon Alt Lens Calibration Software Software for calibrating lens-less Photon cores with third-party 

optics. 

Specifications subject to change without notice. 

5

6 

Camera Confi gurations 

Stand Alone Operation with Accessory Kit 

Interface Cable 

Photon I/O Module Power Supply Monitor 

Accessory Kit and Customer-Furnished PC: Remote Operation 

DB-9 Serial Camera Control via RS-232 


Photon 

I/O Module 

Power Supply Monitor PC 

Accessory Kit, SIPO and Customer-Furnished Desktop PC: Digital Data Collection 

DB-9 Serial 

I/O Module 

Camera Control via RS-232 


SIPO 

Photon Power Supply Monitor 

PC 

Custom Digital Data Cable 

NOTE: An appropriate frame grabber, as well as image acquisition & processing software, must be supplied and supported by the customer. The frame grabber may be either a 

Bit Flow Road Runner Model 14 or National Instruments PCI-1422 IMAQ, depending on the digital cable and type of software planned for use by the customer. 

Ethernet Module and Customer-Furnished PC: Digital Data Collection 


RJ-45 CAT-5 Camera Control & Digital Data 

Photon Ethernet Module Power Supply Monitor PC 

The Ethernet Module enables Photon control and video display/capture on a PC. Due to variability in user platforms and networks, FLIR cannot not guarantee the fi delity of captured video. 

Direct Interface to SAMTEC Connector 

Pin defi nitions of the 30-pin board connector for interface 

to the SAMTEC TFML-115-02-S-D-P connector (J1) are 

shown below. This is the primary connector interface to 

the Photon camera. 

Power Board to External I/O Connector Pin Defi nitions 

Pin # Signal Name Direction Signal Defi nition 

1 GND In Ground 


3 3.15V_OUT Out Output Voltage 

4 PWR_IN In Input Voltage 



7 2V_OUT Out Output Voltage 

8 N/C Out 

9 RS232_RX2 In Secondary Serial 

Communication receive, 

control input, 19200 baud 

(currently unavailable) 

10 RS232_RX1 In Primary Serial 

Communication receive, 

control input, 57600 baud 

Note: The mating connector is SAMTEC SFML-115-T1-S-D-K 

30 

29 

4 2 

3 1 

30-pin SAMTEC (M) connector on camera 


11 RS232_TX2 Out Secondary Serial 

Communication transmit, 

data output, 19200 baud 

(currently unavailable) 

12 RS232_TX1 Out Primary Serial 

Communication transmit, 

data output, 57600 baud 

13 N/C _ DO NOT CONNECT 

14 SD_DATA1- Out Digital Port 1 Output Data1; 

negative output 


16 SD_ DATA1+ Out Digital Port 1 Output Data1; 

positive output 


18 SD_FSYNC1- Out Digital Port 1 Sync; negative 

output 


Note that FLIR’s 

pinout differs from 

SAMTEC pinout 


20 SD_FSYNC1+ Out Digital Port 1 Sync; positive 

output 

21 SD_DATA2+ Out Digital Port 1 Output Data2; 

positive output 

22 SD_CLK1- Out Digital Port 1 Clock; 


23 SD_DATA2- Out Digital Port 1 Output Data2; 


24 SD_ CLK1+ Out Digital Port 1 Clock; positive 

output 

25 Reserved DO NOT CONNECT 

26 DIS0_EXT In Frame Sync input 

27 DIS2_EXT In DO NOT CONNECT 

28 VIDEO_LO Out Analog Video - 


30 VIDEO_HI Out Analog Video +

Lens Data 

Focal Length 21.5mm 25mm 35mm 49mm 60mm 100mm 

f/number 1.1 1.4 1.4 1.1 1.25 1.6 

Field of View 41° x 33° 36° x 29° 26° x 20° 19° x 14° 15° x 11° 9° x 7° 

IFOV (milliradians) 1.163 1.0 0.714 0.510 0.416 0.250 

Minimum Focus Distance ~4 meters** ~ 2 meters ~ 3 meters ~20 meters** ~2 meters ~10 meters 

Hyperfocal Distance 16 meters 13 meters 26 meters 81 meters 115 meters 160 meters 

Hyperfocal Depth of Field 7.8 meters 6.5 meters 13 meters 41 meters 58 meters 80 meters 

Weight (as pictured)* 318.0 g 298.5 g 299.1 g 542.0 g 370 g 664 g 

Length (Lens Only) 25.4 mm 30.2 mm 43.4 mm 54.6 mm 56.6 mm 111.8 mm 

Diameter (maximum) 45.2 mm 43.0 mm 42.0 mm 63.5 mm 61.5 mm 82.0 mm 

Coating Type Anti-Refl ective High Durability High Durability Anti-Refl ective DLC*** Hard Carbon 

Nominal Wavelength 8.0 to 14.0 microns 

*EMI board and cover installed. 

**It is not recommended that this lens be adjusted for close focus only imaging. Internal mechanical components in the lens can shift and not self re-align. 

*** Diamond-Like Coating 

Note: Photon lenses are not designed, calibrated, or specifi ed for close focus use. Questions? E-mail: cbi@fl ir.com 

Overview of the Photon 640 Electrical Interface 

Photon 26-pin D-Sub Connector Pin Defi nitions 


1 VIDEO_HI Out Analog Video + 

2 SIG GND In Signal Ground 

3 DIS0_EXT In Frame Sync Input 


5 Reserved DO NOT CONNECT 

6 RS232_TX2 Out Secondary Serial Communication transmit, data output, 19200 baud (currently unavailable) 

7 RS232_RX1 In Primary Serial Communication receive, control input, 57600 baud 

8 GND Out Input Voltage GND 

9 PWR IN In Input Voltage 

10 VIDEO_LO Out Analog Video - 

11 N/C DO NOT CONNECT 

12 SD CLK1- Out Digital Port 1 Clock; negative output 

13 SD_FSYNCH1- Out Digital Port 1 Sync; negative output 

14 SD_DATA2+ Out Digital Port 1 Output Data2; positive output 

15 SD_DATA1- Out Digital Port 1 Output Data1; negative output 

16 RS232 GND Serial Communication ground 

17 N/C DO NOT CONNECT 

18 PWR_IN In Input Voltage 


20 SD CLK1+ Out Digital Port 1 Clock; positive output 

21 SD_FSYNCH1+ Out Digital Port 1 Sync; positive output 

22 SD_DATA2- Out Digital Port 1 Output Data2; negative output 

23 SD_DATA1+ Out Digital Port 1 Output Data1; positive output 

24 RS232_RX2 In Secondary Serial Communication receive, control input, 19200 baud (currently unavailable) 

25 RS232_TX1 Out Primary Serial Communication transmit, data output, 57600 baud 

26 GND Out Input Voltage GND 

Specifi cations subject to change without notice. 

10 

19 

26-pin HD D-Sub (M) 

connector on camera 

1 9 

26 

18 

The 26-pin high-density D-Sub 

connector pin defi nitions are provided 

in the case that the Wearsaver 

adapter is used. The Wearsaver is 

an integral part of the EMI board, a 

Photon 640 camera accessory. The 

signals on this connector include 

input power, analogy video output, 

serial communication for camera 

control, and the digital data output. 

7

Specifi cations 

System Overview 

System Type Uncooled LWIR Thermal Imager 

Sensor Type 640 x 512 VOx Microbolometer 

Pixel Size 25 μm 

Spectral Band 7.5 – 13.5 μm 

Performance < 50mK NEdT at f/1.0, with FLIR proprietary noise reduction 

Outputs 

Analog Video NTSC @ 30 Hz 

PAL @ 25 Hz (optional) 

9 Hz option for export (factory set) 

Digital Video 8- or 14-bit serial LVDS 

Operation 

Image Control Invert, revert, 2x and 4x digital zoom, 

digital detail enhancement (DDE) 

Camera Control Autonomous, or manual via GUI or RS-232 serial command 

Signal Interface Power, video, communication, digital data, external sync, 

direct access to e-zoom & polarity 

Power 

Input Voltage Range 6-24 VDC 

Power Dissipation

Photon 640 - Flir Systems

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