Temperature Guidelines for Atlas10 SWIR cameras

This document covers the temperature-related operating guidelines for LUCID’s ASX053S-WC and ASX033S-WC Atlas10 SWIR cameras. These guidelines are intended to help users configure the built-in thermoelectric cooling device and use the external heat sink.

Thermoelectric cooling (TEC)

The ASX053S and ASX033S feature thermoelectric cooling (TEC) for reduced noise and improved image quality. The following camera nodes help you configure the TEC cooling setpoints:

Grouping	Node name	Unit	Description
TECControl	TECEnable	N/A	Enable TEC.
TECControl	TECControlTemperatureSetPoint	Degrees Celsius	Configure the setpoint.

Turning off TEC has the advantage of reducing power consumption.

Temperature limits

Notice

Ensure that the case temperature is within the temperature limits (-20°C to 55°C).
AND
Ensure that case temperature is no more than 35°C higher than the TEC setpoint.
Exceeding these limits may result in the loss of temperature regulation.

Setpoint	Max. case temperature
20°C (default setting)	55°C
15°C	50°C
10°C	45°C

The results above were obtained with a 16 mm Tamron SWIR lens (TSMA160) mounted to the camera.

Notice

When setting thermoelectric cooling, be sure that the case temperature for your application is not too high, or else loss of temperature regulation may occur.
Exceeding the temperature specification can cause components to deteriorate.

Temperature information available from the camera nodes

The following information is available from the camera nodes in the TEC Control’s TECStatus node:

Calibration: TEC temperature is not stable and has not reached the TEC set point range.
Stable: Temperature is stable and has reached the TEC set point range.
OutOfRange: Temperature was stable but is no longer within range of the TEC set point.

As of the 1.3.0.0 firmware version for the ASX053S, these nodes are still being implemented and are not functional.

EventTemperatureOutOfRange
EventTemperatureOutOfRangeTimestamp
EventTemperatureOutOfRangeData

Case temperature

There are two temperature measurement points listed for the Atlas10 SWIR camera. Use Temperature Control Point 2 to determine the case temperature.

An optional external heatsink (HS-ASX-WC) is included free of charge with the camera and is shipped in a separate box. Installing this heatsink helps promote heat dissipation.

Attaching the heatsink

Place the heatsink on the camera.
Align it in the correct orientation (only one orientation is supported).
Secure the heatsink using the four M4 screws provided.

Note:

The heatsink has a pre-applied thermal pad.
The film on the thermal pad is not removable.
Thermal pad specification: 3M 5583S (0.5 mm thickness).
After long-term use, the camera surface that is in contact with the thermal pad can develop a residue. This residue can be removed with isopropyl alcohol.