FLIR Tau working

Description

This project aims to use the FLIR Tau SWIR to generate hyperspectral images using a preliminary lens and grating configurations designed by the Optics team.

@Kevin Caldwell , @Vlad Surdu, @Abeer and @Shivanshi are the people working on this project.

Task Breakdown

• [x] Acquire the necessary software to interface with the camera. Add to .
• [ ] Find and read the documentation for the interface software. Add to Library of Babel (Optics).
• [ ] When the camera arrives in the lab, integrate it into the FINCH Eye Build I: Lab Prototype.
• [ ] Take a picture with just the foreoptics/a lens attached using the software. (jsut analog data)
• [ ] Take picture using foreoptic/lens using software and H7 MCU
  • [ ]
• [ ] Take a picture with FINCH Eye Build I attached

Action Items

1. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE ON THIS PROJECT
   1. Mentions:
2. Figure out how we are storing the Flir Tau considering the very low lifespan of the flir tau’s mating terminal (if it breaks we have no way of replacing it)
   1. Note: even though the lifespan of the pay elec board mating terminal is also limited, a new one can just be soldered onto it and wont cost thousands of dollars to fix
      1. Honestly I think it should be fine as long as we’re careful and use common sense (ie minimal tension and torsion)
   2. Mentions: @Abeer @Reid Sox-Harris

General Info

1. The flir tau is an short-wave infrared sensor we will use to gather data on farm soil. It is really expensive so you must read the safety information page before handling it: FLIR Tau SWIR: Info, Handling and Care
2. Pins being used on Flir Tau
   • If RS232 Driver is used, RS232 Pins will be used to change camera configurations
   • The CMOS DATA_OUT lines will supply pixel data (eg light intensity)
   • The CMOS CLOCK_OUT, FRAME_VALID_OUT, and LINE_VALID_OUT lines ensure data synchronization

1. Hardware Setup

   

   The board on the left is a normal stm32h7 board, and on the right is an stm32h7 board with the pay-elec board on top.

   

   The pay-elec board connects to the flexible connector, which then connects to the flir tau. NOTE: We can only connect and disconnect the flexible connector to the flir tau 50 times in total (the lifetime of the flir tau connection terminal is exceedingly small). We need to figure out if we can store the camera with the flexible connector without damaging the camera or flexible connector.