Description
Challenge
A research group from an American university needed to monitor mammalian bat activity inside caves. When they reached out to InterTest for a solution, they mentioned that their current camera solution was not providing the clarity and accuracy required for their research. The camera needed to be IP67-rated to endure wet cave environments and have thermal vision optics. White lighting could not be used as it would disrupt their natural behavior.
The university wanted something simple and portable without axillary battery supply. Finally, the solution needed to have two different focusing lenses in order to capture different views of the bats activity.
Development
InterTest chose to develop the camera around the Sierra Olympia Viento 10 with has a 60 Hz frame rate and long-wave infrared (LWIR) imaging.
InterTest Engineering had to ensure that two Viento lenses worked with the custom IP-67-rated housing. Additionally, a ruggedized tablet device was chosen for viewing the live camera footage while simultaneously powering the camera.
At first, the design used a USB 3.0 Type C connection port off the camera housing to connect to the tablet. However, after extensive testing, the board and camera drew too much power for the tablet to function, so InterTest engineers pivoted to a different board and connection.
Solution
The solution was the "InfraBat Camera" - a Sierra Olympia Viento 10 Camera with interchangeable lenses enclosed within an IP67-rated housing. A durable cord grip secured the cable and ensured the camera housing remained IP67-rated. The interchangeable lenses featured a germanium window that sealed and attached seamlessly to the camera housing, ensuring the system remained IP67-rated.
The cable enabled the camera to draw enough power from the tablet, so no auxiliary power source was needed. Additionally, the tablet provided a method of data storage, allowing still images and video capture. The final result was a fully portable, IP67 rated, infrared camera system with adjustable lenses that accurately monitored bats in their natural habitat.
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