A Review of Modern Thermal Imaging Sensor Technology and Applications for Autonomous Aerial Navigation

Abstract

Limited navigation capabilities of many current robots and UAVs restricts their applications in GPS denied areas. Large aircraft with complex navigation systems rely on a variety of sensors including radio frequency aids and high performance inertial systems rendering them somewhat resistant to GPS denial. The rapid development of computer vision has seen cameras incorporated into small drones. Vision-based systems, consisting of one or more cameras, could arguably satisfy both size and weight constraints faced by UAVs. A new generation of thermal sensors is available that are lighter, smaller and widely available. Thermal sensors are a solution to enable navigation in difficult environments, including in low-light, dust or smoke. The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive literature review of thermal sensors integrated into navigation systems. Furthermore, the physics and characteristics of thermal sensors will also be presented to provide insight into challenges when integrating thermal sensors in place of conventional visual spectrum sensors.

Effects of Continuous Infusion of Lidocaine under Ultrasound-Guided Cervical Sympathetic Ganglion Catheterization on Cerebral Hemodynamics and Thermal Imaging Characteristics of Head and Neck in Patients with Angioneurotic Headache

“…This indicates that SGB treatment can improve the severity of headache in patients with angioneurotic headache, and the treatment effect of ultrasound-guided SG catheter with continuous infusion of lidocaine is more significant. Secondary vasoconstriction of intracranial arteries during headache attacks affects cerebral hemodynamics [ 18 ]. Thermal imaging is the result of infrared radiation through the thermal motion of molecules inside an object.…”

Sparse Optical Flow Implementation Using a Neural Network for Low-Resolution Thermal Aerial Imaging

“…Thermal imaging has various advantages over visual light spectrum in some applications, not only to aid navigation in challenging lighting scenarios but also to reveal information that is invisible to the naked eye. The physics fundamentals of thermal sensors and their advantages and disadvantages are well documented in [ 1 , 34 , 35 ].…”

“…On the other hand, the RAFT_s network, and available computer vision libraries, such as OpenCV [ 74 ], are designed to process 8 bit images. This is largely due to modern standard displays being designed to match the intensity discrimination of human observers [ 1 ]. The 14 bit raw data from the sensor must be converted into 8 bit to display on the screen or to work with available computer software.…”

“…Unlike other sensor-based systems, vision systems can provide real-time information about objects present in the scene. Furthermore, vision systems do not rely on signals coming from satellites such as GNSS, thus making it more resilient to conventional jamming [ 1 ]. Many researchers have demonstrated the potential of vision system for UAVs with promising results [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”

The Conception of Test Fields for Fast Geometric Calibration of the FLIR VUE PRO Thermal Camera for Low-Cost UAV Applications

“…Commercially available products include those based on cooled detectors and those equipped with uncooled micro bolometric detectors. Another essential parameter that is connected with the detector is thermal sensitivity [ 50 ]. It is the lowest distinguishable difference in temperature that the camera is able to detect.…”