CMOS Thermal Imaging Camera Module

CMOS-Compatible Electronics — What It Means for Embedded Integration

The defining characteristic of this module is its CMOS-compatible readout electronics. Standard uncooled LWIR microbolometer detectors use their own readout integrated circuit (ROIC) optimised for thermal detector readout. A CMOS-compatible thermal module uses a ROIC designed to interface directly with standard CMOS image signal processors (ISPs) and embedded vision SoCs — the same family of processing devices used in visible-light CMOS cameras in automotive, industrial, and consumer electronic products. This compatibility means the OEM developer can integrate the thermal module into a product platform that already has CMOS image processing infrastructure — an automotive ADAS SoC, an industrial machine vision processor, a robotics vision system — using the same ISP pipeline, driver model, and image processing framework that handles the platform’s visible-light CMOS cameras, rather than implementing a completely separate processing chain for the thermal sensor.

FPGA Processing + Triple Simultaneous Interfaces

On top of the CMOS-compatible core, the module includes FPGA-based image processing — providing automatic and manual gain control, spatial and temporal noise filtering, and colour palette application — and three simultaneous digital output interfaces: HDMI for direct monitor display, USB-C for computer and SBC UVC video capture, and Ethernet/PoE for IP network streaming with single-cable power delivery. All three interfaces deliver the FPGA-processed thermal video simultaneously, enabling the OEM product designer to provide multiple output paths (local display + IP streaming + USB processing) from a single thermal module without hardware switching or additional signal distribution.

CMOS-Compatible Electronics for Embedded SoC Integration

CMOS-compatible readout electronics enable direct integration with standard automotive and industrial embedded vision SoCs and ISPs, allowing the thermal sensor to share the platform’s existing CMOS image processing pipeline. This reduces OEM development effort compared to integrating a non-CMOS thermal sensor that requires a completely separate processing chain.

High Thermal Resolution and <50 mK Sensitivity

640 × 480 px at <50 mK NETD delivers the spatial detail and thermal sensitivity needed for human detection, vehicle identification, equipment hotspot monitoring, and building thermal assessment at standard OEM product working distances across the application verticals this module serves.

Selectable Frame Rates — 9, 30, or 60 Hz

Three selectable frame rates cover regulatory-compliant (9 Hz), smooth real-time display (30 Hz), and high temporal resolution (60 Hz) requirements. This flexibility makes the module suitable across the full range of OEM applications from internationally distributed automotive sensors to high-frame-rate industrial inspection systems.

Advanced FPGA Image Processing

On-board FPGA delivers automatic and manual gain control, spatial and temporal noise filtering, and colour palette application — providing a display-ready processed thermal stream on all three interfaces without any host-side image processing requirement. OEM application code receives usable thermal video immediately without implementing sensor signal processing.

Triple Simultaneous Digital Interfaces

HDMI, USB-C, and Ethernet/PoE are all active simultaneously. OEM products can simultaneously display on a monitor (HDMI), capture on an embedded processor (USB-C), and stream to a network monitoring platform (Ethernet/PoE) from a single module without hardware switching.

IP67 and Wide −32°C to +70°C Operating Range

Full dustproofing and water immersion protection with a wide operating temperature range covering automotive cold-start to high-ambient-temperature industrial environments. IP67 is the minimum protection standard for automotive exterior cameras and harsh outdoor industrial deployments.

Compact ~2.9 W, <85 g for Automotive and UAV Integration

Low power consumption (~2.9 W) and light weight (<85 g) meet the power budget and payload constraints of automotive ADAS sensor integration, UAV thermal payloads, and battery-powered portable instruments where both energy efficiency and mass are critical design parameters.

Security and Surveillance

24/7 thermal detection independent of lighting for perimeter protection, border surveillance, and critical infrastructure monitoring:

• IP security system thermal integration: CMOS-compatible thermal module integrated into IP security camera products and perimeter protection systems, with ONVIF-compliant Ethernet/PoE streaming for VMS integration
• Mobile and vehicle security: thermal module in vehicle-mounted security camera systems and mobile surveillance units, leveraging the 12V-compatible power and IP67 protection for outdoor vehicle-mounted deployment
• Smart perimeter nodes: CMOS thermal module in edge AI security appliances where the CMOS-compatible electronics interface with the appliance’s embedded AI vision processor for on-device thermal detection analytics

Unmanned Systems and Robotics

Thermal perception for UAV, UGV, and autonomous robot platforms requiring IP67 protection and CMOS-pipeline compatibility:

• UAV thermal payload: <85 g IP67-protected thermal module in drone payloads, with USB-C connection to the onboard Jetson/Raspberry Pi for thermal video processing alongside the platform’s existing CMOS visible camera data
• Ground robot thermal sensing: CMOS-compatible thermal integration with the robot’s embedded vision SoC, enabling the thermal and visible-light cameras to share the platform’s unified image processing pipeline for sensor fusion
• Autonomous vehicle and ADAS development: thermal module in autonomous vehicle sensor arrays and ADAS development prototypes, where CMOS-compatible electronics interface with the vehicle’s ADAS domain controller or sensor fusion SoC

Industrial Inspection and Maintenance

Thermal monitoring of equipment, electrical systems, and production processes for predictive maintenance and quality assurance:

• Machine vision thermal integration: CMOS thermal module integrated with machine vision systems at industrial inspection stations, sharing the host machine vision controller’s processing infrastructure via CMOS-compatible interface
• Electrical equipment monitoring: continuous thermal monitoring of switchgear, motor drives, and industrial electrical equipment via Ethernet/PoE network connection to the factory SCADA or BMS platform
• Process area thermal supervision: IP67-protected thermal module in industrial process areas exposed to wash-down, humidity, and dust, providing continuous equipment health monitoring via the factory IP network

Firefighting and Emergency Response

Thermal situational awareness for firefighters, emergency responders, and rescue teams in smoke-filled and low-visibility environments:

• Helmet-mounted thermal: compact <85 g CMOS thermal module in helmet-mounted or body-worn thermal vision devices for firefighters navigating smoke-filled structures, using USB-C connection to a wearable display processor
• Search and rescue drone: CMOS thermal UAV payload for aerial survivor detection in disaster zones, forest fires, and maritime search operations, with IP67 protection for operation in rain and smoke
• Emergency vehicle thermal camera: IP67 thermal module in fire truck and emergency vehicle camera systems, connected via HDMI to the vehicle’s integrated display or via Ethernet to the command centre network

Building Diagnostics and Energy Audits

Thermal assessment of building envelopes, HVAC systems, and infrastructure for energy efficiency and maintenance:

• Handheld building inspection: <85 g CMOS thermal module in handheld building inspection instruments, with USB-C connection to a field tablet for on-site energy audit thermal analysis and reporting
• Fixed building thermal monitoring: Ethernet/PoE network-connected thermal module for continuous building envelope or HVAC system thermal monitoring integrated with the building’s BMS
• Infrastructure thermal assessment: portable or temporarily deployed CMOS thermal module for bridge, tunnel, and civil infrastructure thermal inspection, capturing data via USB-C to a field laptop for thermal map analysis

Scientific and Environmental Monitoring

Thermal measurement for research applications requiring precise, repeatable temperature visualisation in laboratory and field environments:

• Environmental research thermal stations: IP67 CMOS thermal modules in outdoor environmental monitoring stations for surface temperature mapping, ecosystem thermal dynamics research, and urban heat island monitoring at Indian research institutions
• Laboratory thermal characterisation: USB-C connected CMOS thermal module for electronics, materials, and heat transfer research at engineering colleges and research labs, capturing calibrated thermal data via OpenCV or MATLAB
• Wildlife and ecological thermal monitoring: IP67 outdoor CMOS thermal module for nocturnal wildlife detection and thermal ecology research in field environments exposed to rain and humidity

United Spectrum Instruments provides expert consultation, system integration support, and long-term after-sales service for advanced thermal imaging solutions including the CMOS Thermal Imaging Camera Module. With strong domain knowledge in photonics, imaging, and industrial vision, we help customers select, integrate, and deploy the right thermal camera modules for their OEM product, research, or operational requirements.

Expert OEM Integration Guidance

CMOS-compatible interface design advice for embedded SoC integration, lens selection for required field of view and detection distance, frame rate and interface configuration for specific application and regulatory requirements, and IP67 installation design for automotive and industrial environments.

Embedded System and Automotive Application Support

Application-specific support for automotive ADAS prototype development, embedded vision SoC integration, ROS-based robotics platforms, and industrial machine vision controller integration — the primary OEM application areas where CMOS-compatible thermal modules provide distinct advantages over standard-interface thermal modules.

Scalable Supply and Responsive Service

Scalable supply from evaluation units to volume procurement with GST-compliant invoicing, MSME supplier registration, and responsive local technical support throughout the OEM development and production lifecycle.