Lepton
The FLIR Lepton™ is the most compact longwave infrared (LWIR) sensor available as an OEM product. It packs a resolution of 80 × 60 or 160x120 pixels into a camera body that is smaller than a dime. This revolutionary camera core is poised to equip a new generation of mobile and handheld devices, as well as small fixed-mount camera systems, with thermal imaging capabilities never seen before. Lepton contains a breakthrough lens fabricated in wafer form, along with a microbolometer focal plane array (FPA) and advanced thermal image processing. In order to support the lepton and make it easy to use, we have developed a breakout board to support the module along with example source code. Please see the Lepton Thermal Camera Breakout Datasheet for more information.
I want one!
Get a fully tested Shuttered Lepton Camera with a breakout board at GroupGets.com.
At this time we highly suggest using the PureThermal boards to interface to the lepton. this converts the Lepton's SPI-like protocol to a standard UVC USB webcam. Unless you plan to integrate the lepton onto custom hardware the Pure Thermal is a better solution for experimenting and building applications for the lepton. There are three form factors to pick from, PT1, PT2, and PTmini.
Learn More About Lepton
Lepton Software Interface Description
Lepton Model of 50 degree with shutter
Getting Started
Please Review the:
Lepton Thermal Camera Breakout Datasheet.
Some code is posted on GitHub for capturing an image using a raspberry pi
https://github.com/PureEngineering/LeptonModule
Some code for the Arduino DUE
https://github.com/josepbordesjove/FLiR-lepton
Questions?
A Group has been created to discuss the FLIR Lepton Module. https://groups.google.com/d/forum/flir-lepton
Photo Taken with the module
Video Taken with the module
Where to buy.
FLIR Lepton Modules:
We are working with GroupGets.com, A crowd-funding site for buying stuff. This will allow you to buy just a single module (or more).
part numbers: 5500-0643-00, 00-0659-01,500-0690-00
Tested and assembled Boards and modules are sold at GroupGets.com.
What if I just want something closer to a finished product?
Check out the FLIR Demo Camera.
More Information and links
Reverse Engineering of the Lepton Module and protocol and pin-out
http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/lepton.html
A great post on using the lepton, and how it works.
http://www.theresistornetwork.com/2014/11/flir-lepton-thermal-imaging-sensor.html
On Hackaday and Hackaday.IO
Photos
Using the low cost STM32F3discovery board.
The pin-out lines up directly to an Arduino-compatible header. Power can be fed in through AREF.
Note: The Due SPI lines are not mapped the same as the other Arduinos.
Note2: The UNO Arduino is not fast enough (unless coding in assembly) to capture an image.
Using simple jumper wires to connect up to a raspberry pi.
Here is a great set of step by step directions from Groupgets.com
Plugged into the stm32nucleo-f401RE
For mbed example code for the stm32nucleo visit the pure engineering mbed page here
The Flir Lepton with the shutter and FOV shown.
YouTube Videos
Extreme Teardown
A sparkfun review
Electron Microscope image of the Lepton
Similar Products
Check out our Grid-EYE-breakout, an 8x8 thermal camera array
Take a look at the PureThermal1, a way to convert the lepton to USB.
Worlds Smallest USB UVC Thermal webcam, the PureThermal Mini