The Advantages of Continuous Wave Laser Illumination Technology over Thermal Imaging

(06/10/2008)

Physical security professionals in transportation, critical infrastructure and government organizations are increasingly tasked with not only detecting objects at night, but also with investigating, interpreting and responding to criminal and terrorist threats.

To help these professionals evaluate technologies that will most improv that compares and contrasts two night vision technologies, thermal imaging and continuous wave laser illumination, Vumii’s patent-pending technology that uses advanced electro-optics to produce a natural contrast.

Key findings of the paper conclude that based on scalability, magnification, pixel performance, zoom capabilities, versatility, maintenance, and controllable light sources, continuous wave laser illumination offers numerous distinct benefits over thermal imaging.

The white paper, entitled “Continuous Wave Laser Illumination: The Clear Choice over Thermal Imaging for Long-Range, High-Magnification Night Vision Perimeter Protection” provides a historical reference, and closely examines the two technologies, allowing security professionals to assess the criteria necessary for evaluating and ultimately purchasing the right night vision system for a variety of environments.

“Continuous wave laser systems use active illumination to easily pick up any type of target while thermal imaging systems rely on heat emitted by the target,” said Vumii CEO Randall Foster. “Security operators using conventional thermal technology for distances greater than several hundred meters see images in which people look like blobs and text cannot be seen since it’s often the same temperature as the surface on which it is written.

“Because continuous wave laser illumination systems produce a natural contrast image rather than a heat-contrast image, people look like people and words, characters, and markings can be read,” Foster continued. “This approach gives security professionals the ability to identify targets, recognize facial features and read license plates and ship identification numbers at distances up to 3000 meters.”

Foster added that many “friendly fire” incidents that occur in real-world military exercises are the result of thermal imagery’s inability to provide real recognition and identification capabilities.

“To date, Vumii is the only company to offer a continuous wave laser illumination system providing a more accurate method for threat assessment compared to conventional thermal products as well as a more cost-effective approach than high-magnification thermal solutions,” said Foster.

“Not only does our technology provide continuous optical zoom, high resolution video in day (full color) and night (grayscale), but security operators can also see through standard or tinted glass, giving them the most revolutionary night vision capabilities available on the market.”

Related topics:  CCTV system and accessories   Monitoring systems   Security guarding   Sensors and detectors   Surveillance 

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