Tau 2

Longwave Infrared
Thermal Imaging Cameras
Key Features:
Multiple models, including 640, 336 & 324
Multiple lens options available: 7.5 100 mm
Proven rugged, reliable thermal imaging for UAVs, UGVs & handheld devices
Mechanical/Electrical commonality for all resolutions

New Features
640x512 / 60 Hz frame rate
Accurate temperature measurement for radiometry, analytics and telemetry
New suite of adjustable image processing modes
<30mK options

Versatile

&

Compatible

Loaded with Features, Ready for More

FLIR Tau 2 thermal imaging cameras offer an unmatched set of features and capabilities, making them well-suited to many
demanding applications.
Improved electronics enable FLIR to implement new capabilities, including continuous digital zoom and radiometry. Since the electrical functions
are common between the Tau 2 640, 336 and 324, integrators have direct compatibility between the different camera formats, and Tau 2
camera versions share many of the same lens options.

High reliability shutter

Rugged, environmental coating on lens flange

Expansion board accessories: Backward
compatibility with Photon; Camera Link

17 m VOx FPA pixels for greater image detail

in Tau 2 640 & 336 (25 m in Tau 324)

1.75 in
Three mounting surfaces, each with two
M20.4 threaded mounting holes

High sensitivity: <50 mK @ f/1.0

<30mK option

1.75 in

Light weight: <72 grams

(WFOV models)

Per Pixel Temperature

Measurement
User-definable options: b/w polarity,
color video palettes, 2x, 4x & 6x
zoom presets, dynamic zoom &
pan, symbology (256 grayscale and
256 colors), video output format,
continuous zoom and many others

Multiple lens options available

1.18 in
Sealed, coated lens

Power consumption as low as <1.0 W

New suite of adjustable image processing

modes (see below)

Threaded outer lens barrel and O-ring seal groove

with boresight locating pins (WFOV models)

Unrivaled Image Processing

and Temperature Measurement
60Hz Frame rate now available for all resolutions
Adjustable image processing modes to increase contrast and detail
-

Second generation DDE - Digital Detail Enhancement for clearer imagery and edge sharpening
ACE - Active Contrast Enhancement to dynamically adjust scene contrast for relative scene temperature
SSO - Smart Scene Optimization to enhance extremes in a bi-modal scene
IBHEQ - Information Based HEQ automatically adjusts AGC for what matters most in a scene
SSN - Silent Shutterless NUC for continuous image uniformity improvement

FLIR's experience and reputation to provide accurate per pixel temperature data for:
- Video Analytics & Telemetry
- Radiometry
- Adjustable isotherm thresholds to colorize temperatures of interest in the grayscale

|2|

FLIR.com/Tau2

805.690.5097

Image Processing
Unrivaled Image Processing and
Temperature Measurement

Isotherm
Manually set isotherm thresholds
to colorize temperatures of interest
(mid-range) in the grey scale

DDE

Second Generation DDE Digital Detail Enhancement

for clearer imagery and edge sharpening

ACE

ACE Active Contrast Enhancement to dynamically

adjust contrast for relative scene temperature

IBHEQ

IBHEQ Information Based Histogram Equalization

automatically adjusts AGC for what matters in a scene

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Tau 2
Lens Data
7.5 mm

9 mm

13 mm

Tau 2 Wide Field of View (WFOV) Models1

FOV3

iFOV

(h v)

(mrads)

Minimum Focus Distance4

Diameter

f/1.25

90 69

69 56

45 35

35 27

25 19

Tau 2 324 (25 324 256)

63 50

49 x 39

35 28

Tau 2 640 (17 640 512)

2.267

1.889

1.308

Tau 2 336 (17 336 256)

2.267

1.889

1.308

Tau 2 324 (25 324 256)

3.333

2.778

1.923

All

2.5 cm

3 cm

8 cm

19 mm

19 mm

19 mm

All

Detection, Recognition, Identification

Tau 2 640 & 336 - Man

Typical/Best Conditions

(Tau 2 640 = f/1.4)

Tau 2 336 (17 336 256)

(Camera + Lens)

(DRI)6

f/1.25

(Tau 2 640 = f/1.4)

Tau 2 640 (17 640 512)

Length5
Weight

f/1.25

(range in meters)

Tau 2 640 & 336 - Vehicle

Tau 2 324 - Man

Tau 2 324 - Vehicle

45 37

29 mm

29 mm

29 mm

<71 g

72 g

<70 g

D = 210/235

D = 250/285

D = 390/440

R = 52/60

R = 63/71

R = 95/112

I = 26/30

I = 31 /36

I = 47/56

D = 580/730

D = 720/880

D = 1,080/1340

R = 150/180

R = 175/220

R = 275/340

I = 58/92

I = 88/108

I = 140/170

D = 170/185

D = 205/230

D = 300/330

R = 42/43

R = 52/57

R = 74/82

I = 21/23

I = 26/28

I = 37/41

D = 480/570

D = 590/700

D = 840/1000

R = 120/140

R = 150/175

R = 215/250

I = 60/72

I = 74/88

I = 108/125

1 All WFOV lenses are integrated directly into a common lens holder with an internal O-ring that furnishes an IP-67 rating at the front surface. All WFOV lenses are
M24 0.5 inside thread. Outside thread is M29 0.5.
2 NFOV lenses are M34 0.3 inside thread.
3 Digital output used for FOV calculation.
4 Minimum focus distance for WFOV cameras is measured with the lens unscrewed to the point just before the O-ring groove becomes visible; for NFOV cameras it is
measured one complete revolution after the lens first engages the lens flange.
5 Length is measured from the front, flat surface of the lens holder to the end of the lens.
6 DRI values shown are nominal values and should be used as estimates only. Exact DRI calculations depend on a wide variety of conditions. For more information,
please contact FLIR.

|4|

FLIR.com/Tau2

805.690.5097

19 mm

25 mm

35 mm

50 mm

60 mm

100 mm

Tau 2 Narrow Field of View (NFOV) Models2

f/1.25

f/1.1

f/1.2

f/1.2

f/1.25

f/1.6

32 26

25 20

18 14

12.4 9.9

10.4 8.3

6.2 5.0

17 13

13 10

9.3 7.1

6.5 5.0

5.5 4.2

3.3 2.5

24 19

18 15

13 10

9.3 7.3

7.7 6.1

4.6 3.7

0.895

0.680

0.486

0.340

0.283

0.170

0.895

0.680

0.486

0.340

0.283

0.170

1.316

1.000

0.714

0.500

0.417

0.250

16 cm

30 cm

60 cm

1.5 m

2.3 m

7m

19 mm

30 mm

39 mm

62 mm

62 mm

110 mm

29 mm

42 mm

42 mm

58 mm

61 mm

82 mm

<70 g

112 g

150 g

280 g

200 g

479 g

D = 570/640

D = 820/930

D = 1140/1280

D = 1500/1700

D = 1750/2000

D = 2450/2950

R = 144/160

R = 210/230

R = 280/320

R = 380/430

R = 450/510

R = 650/750

I = 72/80

I = 104/116

I = 142/160

I = 190/215

I = 225/255

I = 330/380

D = 1,550/1950

D = 2200/2800

D = 3000/3850

D = 3900/5100

D = 4500/6000

D = 6000/8800

R = 400/500

R = 580/710

R = 800/950

R = 1060/1320

R = 1240/1560

R = 1750/2300

I = 200/250

I = 290/360

I = 200/295

I = 540/660

I = 640/780

I = 900/1160

D = 450/490

D = 590/650

D = 800/880

D = 1125/1280

D = 1320/1500

D = 2075/2400

R = 112/124

R = 148/165

R = 200/225

R = 290/320

R = 340/380

R = 540/600

I = 56/62

I = 75/85

I = 105/112

I = 145/160

I = 170/190

I = 270/300

D = 1,280/1500

D = 1650/1950

D = 2250/2700

D = 3100/3800

D = 3600/4600

D = 5300/7100

R = 330/375

R = 430/500

R = 590/680

R = 810/970

R = 960/1160

R = 1500/1840

I = 165/190

I = 215/250

I = 290/340

I = 415/490

I = 480/580

I = 760/920

Tau 2 Part Number Configuration Guide(Ex: 46640019H-FPNLX)

46 640 019
Shutter type

Resolution

46 = Standard

640 (640 512)

336 (336 256)
324 (324 256)

47 = Shutterless
66 = Standard

(640/60Hz only)

67 = Shutterless

(640/60Hz only)

Lens Focal Length

001
007
009
013
019
025
035
050
060
100

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

no lens
7.5 mm
9 mm
13 mm
19 mm
25 mm
35 mm
50 mm
60 mm
100 mm

H - F

NL

Lens Coating

Video Speed

Tau Type

OEM Info Logo

Expansion Card

H = Hard Carbon
A = High Durability
X = No Lens

F = Fast
(60 Hz, 50 Hz)
S = Slow
(7.5 Hz, 8.3 Hz)

P = Performance

NL = No Logo
Also used for
OEM ID

X = No Card

|5|

Accessories
There are several Tau-specific accessories available. Individual components are also available; contact FLIR for details.
VPC Breakout Module
Provides video, power, and communications interface.
(FLIR p/n: 421-0039-00)
VPC Breakout Module

Tau 2 with VPC

Module Installed

Tripod Adapter
Allows users to put Tau 2 on a standard tripod mount.
(FLIR p/n: 261-2071-00)
Tripod Adapter

Tau 2 Inverted with

Tripod Adapter Installed

Photon Replicator kit

Gives users backward compatibility, including the ability to translate the 30-pin
SAMTEC connector to a 15-pin D-sub connector.
(FLIR p/n: 421-0045-00)
Note: On the Tau 640 and Tau 2 640 cameras, the 15-pin cannot pass 14-bit digital data.

Photon Replicator Kit

Tau 2 with PRK installed

Photon Replicator board

Part of the Photon Replicator Kit, this board gives users who do not require a
O15-pin D-sub connector backward compatibility.
(FLIR p/n: 421-0040-00)
Photon Replicator Board

Tau 2 with PRB installed

Camera Link Expansion Board

Furnishes 14-bit digital data with separate connectors for analog video,
power and communication.
(FLIR p/n: 421-0046-00)

Camera link board

Tau 2 with Camera Link

Board installed

The Camera Link XP accessory provides access to Tau digital data. Portions of the base Camera Link specifications are not met: Camera control and power are not supported via the Camera Link connector.
A modification to the Camera Link board can be made to enable camera control via Camera Link. The XP accessory furnishes a mini-USB port for easy access to power and communications.
External frame sync is supported; contact FLIR for OEM details.

Tau Lens Focus Tool

Lets users adjust the focus of 9 mm, 13 mm, and 19 mm lenses.
(FLIR p/n: 421-0037-00)

Tau Lens Locking Ring

Lets users mount WFOV Tau cameras to a bulkhead.
(FLIR p/n: 421-0041-00)

Narrow field of view lens holder and clamp

(FLIR p/n: 261-1485-00)

4 Blackbody Source for lens calibration

& supplemental FFC
(FLIR p/n: 285-0029-02)

|6|

FLIR.com/Tau2

805.690.5097

Specifications
System Overview
System Type

Uncooled LWIR Thermal Imager

Tau 2 640

640 512 VOx Microbolometer

Tau 2 336

336 256 VOx Microbolometer

Tau 2 324

324 x 256 VOx Microbolometer

Pixel Size

17 m (Tau 2 640, 336); 25 m (Tau 2 324)

Spectral Band

7.5 - 13.5 m

Performance

<50 mK @ f/1.0

Outputs
Analog Video

Field-switchable between NTSC and PAL

Tau 2 640

30/60Hz (NTSC); 25Hz/60Hz (PAL); <9Hz option for export (factory set)

Tau 2 336, 324

30/60 Hz (NTSC); 25/50 Hz (PAL) ; <9Hz option for export (factory set)

Digital Video

8- or 14-bit serial LVDS; 8- or 14-bit parallel CMOS; 8-bit BT.656

Operation & Control

Image Control

Invert, revert, continuous digital zoom, dynamic zoom & pan, digital zoom presets,polarity, false color or
monochrome, isotherms, AGC, second generation digital detail enhancement (DDE), image optimization
(BPR, NUC & AGCd video),Active Contrast Enhancement (ACE, Information Based Histogram Equalization
(IBHEQ), Smart Scene Optimization (SSO), settable splash screens

Camera Control

Manual via SDK & GUI, dynamic range switching

(Tau 2 324 only)

Signal Interface

Camera Link (Expansion Bus Accessory Module), discrete I/O controls available, RS-232 compatible
(57,600 & 921,600 baud), external sync input/output, power reduction switch (removes analog video)

FFC Duration

<0.5 sec

Physical Attributes
Size

1.75 1.75 1.75 (less lens)

Mounting Interface

6 attach points in lens mount, M2 x 0.4 on 3 sides, 2 per side (sealable bulkhead mounting feature on
lens barrel [M29 1.0], WFOV only)

Power
Input Voltage

4.0 6.0 VDC

Primary Electrical Connector

50-pin Hirose

Power Dissipation

~ 1.0 W (Tau 2 324 & 336); <1.2 W (Tau 2 640); <1.3W (Tau 2 640/60Hz)

Time to Image

<5 seconds (Tau 2 640); <4 seconds (Tau 2 336 and 324)

Environmental
Operating Temperature Range

-40 C to +80 C external temp

Storage Temperature Range

-55 C to +95 C external temp

Scene Temp Range

High gain: -40C to +160; Low gain: -40C to +550

Shock

200 g shock pulse with 11 msec sawtooth

Temperature Shock

5/min

Vibration

4.3 g 3 axes, 8 hours each

Humidity

5 - 95% non-condensing

Operational Altitude

+40,000 feet

ROHS, REACH, and WEEE

Compliant

|7|

Capabilities
Tau 2

Tau 2 640, 336 & 324

Standard lens options

Tau 2 GUI

4 WFOV, 5 NFOV

WFOV lenses sealed to IP-67 at front surface

Threaded WFOV lens barrel for bulkhead mounting or external

attachment options

Lens-less configuration offered

Ability to calibrate a second lens and store the calibration data in

the camera via Advanced GUI function

Supplemental FFC feature allows users to calibrate out lens

effects to improve image quality

Field-switchable between NTSC and PAL

CMOS, BT.656, 14-bit LVDS data output

Camera Link digital data accessory option

Accessories available for backward-compatibility with

Photon cameras

Expansion board reference design for customers to develop

custom interface electronics

High-speed serial communications up to 921K baud

Camera Control GUI

Camera power and communication over USB

Up to 500g shock tolerance

Eight discrete camera input functions available to OEMs

(14-bit CMOS interface limits users to one discrete function)

Shutterless version available for OEM customers with

volume constraints

Field-upgradeable software/firmware

Support for user-defined symbology

Relative temperature measurement

Tau 2 324 & 336

Provision to load custom start-up splash screens

(10-camera minimum purchase required)

Optional SDK for access to Taus complete feature set

Visit www.flir.com/cvs/cores/knowledgebase to browse the Tau Knowledge Base.

Visit www.flir.com/cvs/cores/tau640 to download the Tau GUI, connector pin-out definition, IDD interface,
and Users Guide.

SANTA BARBARA
FLIR Systems, Inc.
70 Castilian Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
USA
PH: +1 805.690.5097
E-mail: [email protected]
FCC Notice. This device is a subassembly designed for incorporation into other products in order to provide thermal imaging capability. It is not an end-product
fit for consumer use. When incorporated into a host device, the end-product will generate, use, and radiate radio frequency energy that may cause radio
interference. As such, the end-product incorporating this subassembly must be tested and approved under the rules of the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) before the end-product may be offered for sale or lease, advertised, imported, sold, or leased in the United States. The FCC regulations are designed to
provide reasonable protection against interference to radio communications. See 47 C.F.R. 2.803 and 15.1 et seq.
Industry Canada Notice. This device is a subassembly designed for incorporation into other products in order to provide thermal imaging capability. It is not an
end-product fit for consumer use. When incorporated into a host device, the end-product will generate, use, and radiate radio frequency energy that may cause
radio interference. As such, the end-product incorporating this subassembly must be tested for compliance with the Interference-Causing Equipment Standard,
Digital Apparatus, ICES-003, of Industry Canada before the product incorporating this device may be: manufactured or offered for sale or lease, imported,
distributed, sold, or leased in Canada.
Avis dIndustrie Canada. Cet appareil est un sous-ensemble conu pour tre intgr dautres produits afin de fournir une fonction dimagerie thermique.
Ce nest pas un produit final destin aux consommateurs. Une fois intgr un dispositif hte, le produit final va gnrer, utiliser et mettre de lnergie
radiofrquence qui pourrait provoquer de linterfrence radio. En tant que tel, le produit final intgrant ce sous-ensemble doit tre test pour en vrifier la
conformit avec la Norme sur les appareils numriques causant des interfrences (ICES-003) dIndustrie Canada avant que le produit intgrant ce dispositif puisse
tre fabriqu, mis en vente ou en location, import, distribu, vendu ou lou au Canada.
EU Notice. This device is a subassembly or component intended only for product evaluation, development or incorporation into other products in order to
provide thermal imaging capability. It is not a finished end-product fit for general consumer use. Persons handling this device must have appropriate electronics
training and observe good engineering practice standards. As such, this product does not fall within the scope of the European Union (EU) directives regarding
electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Any end-product intended for general consumer use that incorporates this device must be tested in accordance and comply
with all applicable EU EMC and other relevant directives.
Equipment described herein may require US government authorization for export purposes. Diversion contrary to US law is prohibited. Specifications are subject to change
without notice. Imagery used for illustration purposes only.
2014 FLIR Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Imagery used for illustration purposes only. 2087 Revised 042914

PORTLAND
Corporate Headquarters

FLIR Systems, Inc.

27700 SW Parkway Avenue
Wilsonville, OR 97070
USA
PH: +1 877.773.3547
FX: +1 503.498.3153

EUROPE

FLIR Systems CVS BV

Charles Petitweg 21
4847 NW Teteringen - Breda
The Netherlands
PH: +31 (0) 765 79 41 94
FX: +31 (0) 765 79 41 99
www.flir.com