Ive been trying to find the answer to this question all day and havent found it yet. I want to use arduino to detect thermal signatures of a person from ~100 meters away. Does anyone know of a sensor that could work for this? I have only come accross the MLX90614 but it has no data about its effective distance. The field of view would be very small. For example, it would be like looking through binoculars or a scope and only seeing that person and their immediate surroundings. How can i achieve this?
You'll need a thermal image camera.
that would be the easy way out. Here is basically what I want to do but I want to be able to see a small section of 100 meters away.
only come accross the MLX90614 but it has no data about its effective distance.
The data sheet explains that the MLX90614 measures the average temperature of the field of view, which for different models varies from about 5 angular degrees to about 90.
A person at 100 meters would subtend an angle of about 0.3 degrees, and detection with even the 5 degree model would be impossible.
camera provides the lens to let you look at smaller things far away.
whatever the sensor, at that range the lensing will be important.
100 M pir are available at a cost.
Lenses are expensive. Especiall
Buy a retro reflector search light, remove the cover glass and replace the bulb with your sensor. To get angular resolution you'll need to pivot the whole assembly.
http://longer.en.alibaba.com/product/220757347-212071403/Marine_Longer_range_Searchlight.html
You'll need to install some kind of active shutter so that you don't fry the sensor when the sun gets close to the horizon.
A parabolic reflector might be a cheaper option for thermal sensing at a distance - germanium
lenses assemblies are not cheap! Some of this tech is restricted technology too I think.
MarkT:
Some of this tech is restricted technology too I think.
Certainly is.
I tried to get a dev kit for a Japanese made sensor, DESIGNED for domestic microwave ovens.
Talk about 20 questions.