How FLIR Prism ISP Enhances Thermal Imaging with Image Signal Processing
FLIR Prism™ ISP brings advanced image signal processing (ISP) to edge-based thermal imaging systems, helping improve image quality while reducing the need for mechanical, manual, or post-processing methods. Its computational imaging libraries provide capabilities including super resolution, electronic image stabilization, turbulence mitigation, and noise reduction.
In this episode of Thermal Integration Made Easy, OEM engineers and developers learn how Prism ISP works with Teledyne FLIR thermal camera modules and low-power embedded processors to enhance infrared imagery. The video explores super resolution, turbulence mitigation, image-quality enhancement, and image preprocessing for artificial intelligence (AI) and perception applications across defense, industrial, and commercial systems.
Key Takeaways
What is FLIR Prism ISP?
Prism ISP is a collection of advanced image signal processing software libraries designed to enhance imagery from Teledyne FLIR thermal camera modules. Its capabilities include super resolution, electronic image stabilization, turbulence mitigation, noise reduction, and other image-processing functions.
What is ISP?
ISP uses computational techniques and algorithms to process and enhance image data. Prism ISP brings these capabilities to edge-based thermal imaging systems to improve image quality and support downstream perception applications.
What is computational imaging?
Computational imaging combines imaging hardware with software algorithms to improve or extend imaging performance. Prism ISP uses computational image processing to perform enhancements that previously may have required mechanical, manual, or post-processing methods.
What image-processing capabilities are available with Prism ISP?
The video highlights super resolution, electronic image stabilization, turbulence mitigation, and noise reduction as key Prism ISP capabilities.
What is super resolution? Super resolution is a technique for increasing the apparent resolution or level of detail in an image beyond its original resolution. It can be useful when obtaining higher-resolution imagery is difficult because of hardware or environmental limitations.
What is turbulence mitigation?
Turbulence mitigation reduces or corrects image distortion caused by atmospheric turbulence. These distortions can make it difficult to identify and track objects of interest, particularly when imaging over long distances.
Why is turbulence mitigation important for long-range thermal imaging?
Atmospheric turbulence can degrade image quality and make distant objects more difficult to identify and track. Prism ISP provides software-based turbulence mitigation that can be used in long-range imaging and moving-platform applications.
Can Prism ISP support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance applications?
Yes. The video identifies long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and moving-platform applications as use cases for Prism ISP turbulence mitigation.
What is electronic image stabilization?
Electronic image stabilization is one of the image-processing capabilities available through Prism ISP. It is designed to help improve image stability through software-based processing.
How does Prism ISP support AI and perception software? Prism ISP can enhance image quality before imagery is processed by perception software. This preprocessing can provide higher-quality image data for downstream AI and perception applications.
What processors are compatible with Prism ISP?
The video states that Prism ISP is compatible with low-power embedded processors from NVIDIA and Qualcomm when used with Teledyne FLIR thermal camera modules.
What applications can use Prism ISP? Prism ISP is designed to support thermal imaging systems across defense, industrial, and commercial applications where improved image quality, edge processing, or perception software preprocessing is required.
What are the development benefits of Prism ISP?
According to the video, bringing computational imaging to the edge with Prism ISP can help lower development costs, shorten time to market, and enhance imaging performance.
Products & Technology Featured
Prism AI is perception software designed to add object detection, classification, tracking, and decision-support capabilities to thermal and electro-optical imaging systems. Application-specific models support embedded AI applications across transportation, security, airborne imaging, and other perception systems.
Teledyne FLIR Thermal Camera Cores
Teledyne FLIR thermal camera cores can be paired with Prism AI and compatible embedded processors to provide the thermal imagery used by AI-enabled perception systems.
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