Infrared sensor module using uncooled 320 × 240/640 × 480 detector

The authors have successfully developed versatile uncooled infrared sensor modules, which have the dual dynamic range drive (DDRD) feature enabling both a wide object temperature range and a high temperature resolution and are applicable to a variety of uses. These modules allow users to get not only thermal images of room temperature objects at a high temperature resolution but also those of high temperature objects. The sensor driven by the modules is of the bolometer type having the pixel pitch of 23.5um, which may be the smallest pitch among commercial uncooled sensors in the world. The article describes the characteristics and performance of the modules and introduces the DDRD feature.