Inframet WAP1-11L Portable Wide-Field LWIR Collimator Test System

Overview

The Inframet WAP1-11L is a portable, wide-field, transmissive collimator test system engineered for laboratory and field-based characterization of uncooled and cooled long-wave infrared (LWIR) thermal imaging cameras with large instantaneous fields of view (IFOV). Unlike conventional off-axis reflective collimators—typically bulky, heavy, and limited to narrow FOVs (often <3°)—the WAP1-11L employs a compact, lightweight, all-transmissive optical architecture based on an aspheric triplet lens design. This enables high-fidelity projection of calibrated thermal targets across an 11° circular field, while maintaining excellent wavefront fidelity, low distortion, and high thermal stability. The system operates in the standard LWIR band (8–12 µm), making it compatible with microbolometer and MCT-based imagers. Its modular construction supports rapid deployment, on-site calibration verification, and integration into automated test benches. Designed for precision metrology rather than qualitative inspection, the WAP1-11L delivers traceable, repeatable measurements essential for R&D validation, production line testing, and compliance verification per ISO 12233-derived infrared imaging standards.

Key Features

• Transmissive collimator architecture with aspheric triplet optics—eliminates central obscuration, minimizes stray light, and ensures uniform irradiance across the full 11° FOV
• Modular configuration: CR110 collimator tube, motorized TS3 target slider, three interchangeable 11° FOV targets (e.g., slanted-edge, bar pattern, Siemens star), TCB-1.5D precision blackbody (0–100 °C, 0.001 °C resolution), PP20 projection platform, and dedicated control software
• Athermalized variant available (66 mm aperture) for operation across extended ambient temperature ranges (−20 to +60 °C) without refocusing or recalibration
• Remote-controlled target positioning and blackbody temperature modulation via USB-connected laptop—enabling synchronized MTF, NETD, and spatial resolution measurements
• Optimized for systems with Nyquist frequency ≤1.5–2 lp/mrad—ideal for wide-FOV thermal cameras used in UAV payloads, driver vision enhancement, perimeter surveillance, and handheld thermography
• Compact footprint (≤12 kg total mass) and integrated carrying handles—certified for air transport under IATA Section II requirements

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The WAP1-11L accommodates thermal imagers with entrance pupil diameters up to 40 mm and focal lengths from 3 mm to 35 mm. It supports both staring and scanning architectures, including VOx and α-Si microbolometers, as well as photon detectors operating in the LWIR band. The system complies with key optical metrology frameworks: its collimation accuracy meets ISO 10110-3 tolerances for transmitted wavefront error ( 0.995 across the operational range; and thermal uniformity across the projected target plane is maintained within ±0.15 K (measured at 50 °C). While not inherently GLP/GMP-certified, the hardware and software architecture support audit-ready workflows—including timestamped parameter logging, user-access controls, and exportable CSV/JSON measurement reports—facilitating alignment with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and ISO/IEC 17025 documentation requirements when deployed in regulated environments.

Software & Data Management

The WAP Control Software (v4.2+) runs on Windows 10/11 and provides a deterministic, low-latency interface for coordinated actuation of the TS3 slider and TCB-1.5D blackbody. All instrument parameters—including target position (±1 µm repeatability), blackbody setpoint, dwell time, and thermal ramp rate—are programmable via scriptable API (Python-compatible DLL). Measurement sequences can be saved as .waps files and replayed with full parameter traceability. Raw thermal image data from the DUT is not acquired by the WAP itself; instead, the system synchronizes trigger signals (TTL/RS-232) to external acquisition hardware (e.g., FLIR ResearchIR, Cedip Jade, or custom LabVIEW setups). Export formats include IEEE-compliant .mat, .csv, and .xml metadata containers compliant with MIQE-IR (Minimum Information for Quantitative Infrared Experiments) guidelines.

Applications

• MTF and spatial resolution validation of wide-FOV thermal cameras using slanted-edge or bar-target methods per ISO 12233-2017 Annex E (adapted for IR)
• Dynamic range and thermal contrast sensitivity assessment via variable-temperature blackbody modulation
• Geometric distortion mapping using multi-position grid targets
• Focus calibration and depth-of-field evaluation for fixed-focus LWIR lenses
• Environmental stress screening—especially with athermalized configurations—during thermal cycling tests per MIL-STD-810H Method 501.7
• Supporting DO-160G Section 22 (electromagnetic environmental effects) and RTCA DO-365B (EO/IR sensor qualification) test protocols

FAQ

Can the WAP1-11L be used for MWIR systems (3–5 µm)?

No—the CR110 collimator’s anti-reflection coatings and glass material selection are optimized exclusively for 8–12 µm transmission. MWIR adaptation requires redesign of the optical train and blackbody spectral filter.
Is remote firmware update supported?

Yes—firmware for the TS3 slider controller and TCB-1.5D blackbody module can be updated over USB using the WAP Control Software’s built-in updater utility.
What is the collimator’s effective focal length tolerance?

The nominal focal length is 100 mm ±0.15 mm, verified interferometrically at 10.6 µm prior to shipment. Drift over 8-hour continuous operation is <±0.02 mm at 23 °C ambient.
Does Inframet provide NIST-traceable calibration certificates?

Yes—optional factory calibration includes NIST-traceable verification of blackbody temperature accuracy (±0.15 °C), collimator divergence (<0.05 mrad), and target placement repeatability (±1 µm), delivered with ISO/IEC 17025-accredited documentation.
Can custom target patterns be integrated?

Yes—customers may supply Gerber or DXF files for lithographically fabricated targets; Inframet validates optical performance and integrates them into the TS3 slider mechanical interface with full metrological characterization.