GroupGets Launches FLIR Lepton FS-Based PureThermal 3 Camera Board with Improved Features
Science and Technology Crowdfunding platform GroupGets has just released the third generation of their hackable thermal webcam modules compatible with the FLIR Lepton (2.x – 3.x) longwave infrared (LWIR) camera cores: the low-cost PureThermal 3 with USB Type-C connectivity.
The company is said to have run up to 30 campaigns for various models of this thermal imager since it released its original version in 2015.
“The motivation for the new [thermal camera] design was primarily to address component shortages, but we took it as an opportunity to make a new form factor,” says Griffin Covert, Head Engineer at GroupGets. “My personal favorite part of the new design is the JTAG breakout along the castellated edge at the top. This in combination with a custom jig, which will also soon be available for purchase, allows for more rapid flashing at the fab compared to DFU over USB.”
The PureThermal 3 is coming up as an upgrade to the PureThermal 2 even though they have the same basic functionalities. Some major changes include removing the pads in PureThermal 2 to install an RF shield and replacing the Tag-Connect TC2030 programming connector with the Tag-Connect EC-10-IDC.
One major similarity between the two however is that they are both built around the same FLIR Lepton FS non-radiometric thermal camera module, though the one in PT3 is a low-cost version that is less sensitive than its stablemates and can have up to 3% of its pixels non-functional, but still offering a 160 x 120 resolution. This Lepton FS offers integrators an appropriate thermal capability for innovative thermal monitoring solutions in smart building automation, security, occupancy sensing, etc.
Specifications of the PureThermal 3 Include:
- MCU: STMicro STM32F412 Arm Cortex-M4 processor running at 100MHz; 1024 KB flash; 256 KB SRAM
- USB: USB Type-C port with USB UVC
- Camera Support: LIR Lepton LWIR camera cores; FLIR Lepton FS non-radiometric thermal camera module
- Improved Boot and Reset Buttons
- Partially MikroBUS compatible breakout pin configuration with GPIOs, UART, I2C, SPI, 5V (V_IN), +3.3V (+3V) and GND
- Castellated edge with full JTAG breakout for rapid flashing via Tag-Connect EC-10-IDC
- 5V power supply via USB port
- Dimension: Small size
The board is currently selling for $199 plus shipping on the company’s group buying platform. Like I said before, it is coming pre-installed with the Lepton FS thermal camera module, but if you want an upgrade to the more accurate FLIR Lepton 3.5 thermal imaging module with increased sensitivity and fewer lifeless pixels, maybe you need temperature data or your application cannot tolerate minor image defects, then you will have to pay an extra $50, making a total of $249.
The company will easily ship to those in the US but people buying from Canada, Australia, UK and European Union countries will have to fill out an End Use Statement document that complies with US regulations before shipment. Orders from all other countries will be declined and refunded.
