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Tau FAQs - All Questions
1. Is Tau rated for compliance with an FCC standard (or equivalent) for electromagnetic emissions?

Yes, Tau has been tested for Radiated Emissions to below Class B levels with the rear cover installed, and below Class A levels with the cover removed.


2. Is Tau rated for compliance with UL (or equivalent) standard for safety?

Tau is WEEE, ROHS, and REACH compliant.


3. Are any toxic chemicals, hazardous materials and/or ozone depleting substances (ODS) used in Tau cameras?

Tau is REACH and ROHS compliant. This means that there are no chemicals used that are classified as SVHC that could be considered toxic or hazardous. For a brief list of REACH chemicals, click here. By achieving ROHS compliance, FLIR states that it does not use Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent chromium, Polybrominated biphenyls, and Polybrominated diphenyl ether.


4. Are there any safety issues associated with the storage, operation, repair and/or disposal of Tau?

Tau is WEEE Compliant, which dictates its proper disposal. Click here for disposal procedures.


5. What does REACH Compliant mean?

REACH is a new European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use. It deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances. For a brief list of REACH chemicals, click here.


6. Are safety issues addressed in the User’s Manual or Guide?

Yes, safety issues are addressed in the Tau User’s Manual, which is available for download at http://www.corebyindigo.com/tau/.


7. Is there any required maintenance that is necessary for proper operation of the Tau that is not documented in the User’s Manual or Guide?

No, there is no maintenance required for sustained operation of Tau.


8. Will FLIR provide a soft copy of their operator/user, installation, maintenance, repair and other manuals for use in a system into which the Tau is built?

The Tau User's Manual is available on-line in PDF form and can be downloaded at http://www.corebyindigo.com/tau/.


9. Will FLIR provide rights to copy Tau documentation for distribution to the US Government?

FLIR may grant these rights on a customer-by-customer basis and reserves the right to deny such a request, at its sole discretion.


10. What is the MTBF for Tau cameras? Can FLIR provide any detailed analysis or test reports?

Tau's MTBF is similar to that of Photon. A formal MTBF calculation is in process for Tau.


11. If an MTBF does not exist would FLIR supply a bill of material so that an analysis can be performed?

Photon and Tau both have one moving part (the shutter). The MTBF is driven by the shutter. Photon’s MTBF is 108,501 hours or 12.4 yrs (for a continuous or 100% duty cycle at an ambient temperature of 23 °C). The MTBF for Tau with a shutter is similar. The MTBF for Tau without a shutter is estimated at 14.8 years, using Photon as a baseline. A Tau-specific MTBF calculation is in process.


12. Alternatively, does FLIR have any field failure rate data for Tau that could be provided?

Although Tau is a newer product, preliminary indications are that it's reliability is as good or better than Photon.


13. Can FLIR substantiate the environmental performance of the Tau with any reports from tests previously performed?

FLIR’s Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP) process is proprietary and is not shared with customers without an executed Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and a demonstrated need-to-know.


14. What is the standard warranty period for Tau?

The standard warranty for Tau is one year. This covers evaluation and repair or replacement of nonconforming cameras. Please note that the warranty does not cover cameras that have been repaired or modified in any manner by persons other than FLIR or FLIR’s authorized designee, or defects due to normal wear and tear, or buyer’s failure to properly store, install operate or maintain the camera. Additionally, operating the camera outside of the camera’s specification is not covered under warranty. The buyer is responsible for the costs of shipping the camera to FLIR, and FLIR pays the return shipping costs. For more details, please see Section 8 of FLIR’s Terms and Conditions of Sale. Any product returned to FLIR, whether or not it is under warranty, must use FLIR’s Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) process.


15. How is the Tau identified for warranty tracking purposes? Is there a serial number, unique ID number, etc.?

A unique serial number is etched into the camera frame of each Tau camera. The serial number is also embedded in the camera software.


16. What is the process for handling Tau warranty repairs including guaranteed and typical turnaround times?

FLIR's tech support should be contacted first, in order to verify that a product return is required: techsupport@flir.com. If a product return for repair is needed, SBA-CameraRepair@flir.com should be contacted. Be prepared to provide the serial number of the camera, as well as a brief description of the problem or why it is being returned. You will be issued a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number along with shipping instructions. Any product returned to FLIR, whether or not it is under warranty, must use FLIR's RMA process. The standard repair turnaround time is 30 days.


17. How does FLIR inform existing customers about changes in the manuals, software or hardware that affect form, fit or function of Tau?

The best way to keep up to date with the latest documents and updates is check the website or ask your sales representative. Direct notification will be considered on a customer by customer basis.


18. Can FLIR provide a spectral response curve for Tau?

A representative spectral response curve can be found at each of the main Tau web pages under the Spectral Response tab. The same curve can be found in the Tau User's Manual at http://www.corebyindigo.com/tau/.


19. Does FLIR offer GSA pricing for Tau?

No, FLIR does not offer GSA pricing for Tau.


20. Does FLIR offer discounts for educational institutions?

No. FLIR’s policy is to implement a price structure whereby all customers are treated in an equal and fair manner. This policy results from the fact that many of the company’s customers are U.S. Government agencies and branches of the military. FLIR’s government contracts often contain a “most favored customer” clause whereby FLIR guarantees that it does not sell the same product in identical quantities at lower prices to anyone other than the U.S. Government. Providing a lower price to a commercial (or educational) customer could result in FLIR being liable to lower the price on future government sales, and to refund the difference in price on current government contracts.


21. Can FLIR provide the SDK documentation, or a list of functions controlled by the SDK, so we can make a decision on whether to order it?

The SDK is sold as an accessory item for $995. The SDK documentation is available by accessing the help menu in the FLIR Camera Controller, sometimes referred to as the Tau GUI. This is a software download at http://www.flir.com/cvs/cores/resources/software/tau/.


22. Would the VPC and the Tau GUI allow me to connect the camera directly to a PC or laptop?

Yes, the VPC module and the Tau GUI will allow you to connect the camera directly to a PC for control of the camera. You will need an available USB port on your laptop and a USB-A to USB-mini B cable. You will also be able to grab snapshots from the digital data channel using this USB interface, but you will not be able to stream video. With the VPC module, video is only available in the form of NTSC or PAL analog video using the MCX coaxial connection.


23. If so, is a special USB cable needed?

Any standard USB-A to USB-mini B cable will work with the VPC accessory.


24. Will the VPC allow an image from Tau to be displayed on a PC or is a video capture card needed?

A video capture card is required in order to display analog video from a Tau on a PC by way of the VPC module. This is typically done by a video cable interface from the MCX connector on the VPC module to the video input connector of the video capture card in the PC.

Using the Tau GUI, up to 3 snapshots (individual frames of camera data) can be acquired from the camera through the USB channel and stored on the connected PC, but it is not possible to stream video.


25. Can the USB port on the VPC be used to just supply power, and use the coax connection for analog image?

Yes, the USB port is used for power and nominally draws 180mA, 500mA at startup. A standard USB charging device can also be used for power with a USB-A to USB-mini B cable. The MCX coaxial connector provides the analog video on the Tau VPC accessory.


26. If the Photon Replicator Kit is used with Tau, is the Photon GUI needed?

No, the FLIR Camera Controller, sometimes referred to as the Tau GUI, will work with both the Tau and Photon cameras.


27. Is there a connector or adapter board available for Tau which provides an RS-232 interface, instead of the VPC module offered by FLIR?

Either the 50-pin Hirose or the 30-pin SAMTEC connector on the back of the Photon replicator board can provide RS-232. The Photon Replicator Kit can be used in conjunction with the Photon I/O module to obtain DB-9 RS-232 connectivity as well as standard coaxial analog video and a power connection. See the Tau User’s Manual for more details.


28. Does the analog video format (NSTC / PAL) need to be specified when an order is placed for Tau?

The standard configuration for Tau is NTSC video. Tau can be field configured to output PAL video using the FLIR Camera Controller GUI.


29. Does FLIR offer any kind of enclosure for the Tau series?

Tau enclosures are not offered as stand-alone products. The FLIR security line offers Tau in many different types of enclosures that include fixed cameras, pan/tilt, and multi-sensor systems that include standard CCTV daylight cameras. These products also provide simple connections, expanded communication protocols, and IP connectivity. Please see http://www.flir.com/cvs/americas/en/security/ for more information.


30. Does Tau support TTL-level communication?

Yes, Tau does support TTL-level communication just as the Photon does.


31. Is there a reference design that allows an expansion board to be designed for Tau?

Yes, expansion boards (also known as XP boards) can be designed for Tau. FLIR offers the XP board reference design at no cost to customers that purchase a Tau camera. Contact your sales representative or tech support for more details.


32. Will the Photon replicator board used for the Tau 320 work with the Tau 640 when it becomes available?

Yes, the same Photon Replicator kit that works with the Tau 320 will work with the Tau 640.


33. How is the analog video formatted for both the Tau 320 and 640. Is the video data interlaced or progressive? Does FLIR use frame averaging to reduce noise?

See the Tau user guide (REV 110 or later) for a detailed explanation of the frame rate of Tau. The Tau User’s Manual available for download at http://www.corebyindigo.com/tau/.


34. Can the Tau GUI be used with other FLIR cameras?

Yes, the FLIR Camera Controller GUI was designed to be backwards compatible with both the Photon 320 and Photon 640.


35. What material is used for the window of the Tau sensor package?

The Tau window is made of Silicon.


36. Can the lens focus be adjusted on Tau cameras?

The WFOV lenses can be focused if the Tau Focus Tool is purchased. Focus is set at infinity with a collimator at the factory and changing focus may compromise the o-ring seal in the WFOV lens and lose optimum focus. NFOV lenses are also focused at infinity, but the focus can be adjusted with a metric Allen wrench.


37. What is the latest version of firmware for the Tau?

Tau 1.5 is SW: 10.1.2 v43 and FW: 8.X.0 v64.


38. Where can the latest version of Tau firmware be obtained?

In order to request the latest version Tau firmware as well as receive upgrade instructions, please email our technical support group at techsupport@flir.com.


39. Are Tau SW/FW release notes available?

Yes, release notes can be found in the Tau User's Manual. The Tau User's Manual is available for download at http://www.corebyindigo.com/tau/.


40. Is the electrical interface / communication protocol the same for both Photon and Tau?

Yes, the Tau electrical interface can be found in the Tau User's Manual. The Tau User's Manual is available for download at http://www.corebyindigo.com/tau/.


41. The information on at the FLIR website varies ( “pseudo-RS232” in the description, “USB” in the comparison, “serial using 3.3V signal levels” in the user guide). Can this be clarified?

For a complete description of communication for the Tau camera, please see the User’s Manual. The Tau User’s Manual available for download at http://www.corebyindigo.com/tau/.


42. Are details of the Tau optical interface available for customers that want to use a third-party lens with the camera? For designing a lens to be used with Tau, what is the material and thickness of the Tau's window? What is the distance between the window and the front surface of the FPA?

There is a Mechanical interface description document (IDD) available as an Appendix to the User's Manual. The Tau User's Manual, revision 120, can be downloaded at http://www.flir.com/cvs/cores/resources/manuals/. The specific drawing to reference is Figure D-1 on page D-1.


43. Does FLIR offer software that can be used to calibrate a third-party lens with a Tau?

Yes, remote alt lens calibration utility is available as a software accessory from FLIR for $995 (v1.9 as of 12-18-09). FLIR also sells low-cost blackbody sources as an option at www.flirstore.com


44. I have both a Photon HRC and an uncooled Photon (or Tau) camera from FLIR. What is the default exposure setting for the Photon 640? Is there an exposure setting in the Photon GUI that I am missing?

There is no exposure setting for FLIR’s uncooled cameras. Uncooled detectors need to integrate signal for a significant portion of each frame time. In uncooled cameras, the exposure or integration time setting is called a time constant, and is fixed in the design of the readout integrated circuit (ROIC). For a Photon 640, the time constant is approximately 13-14 ms.


45. Will FLIR provide the inputs it uses for NVTherm models? Does FLIR run NVTherm models for customers?

FLIR Commercial Systems has adopted the following general policy regarding modeling inputs and outputs:

Our Engineering group generates range models for released products, cores, or end-user camera systems. The results of these models are published as the detection, recognition, and identification (DRI) charts which are made available at selected FLIR product web pages, as well as in brochures and User’s Guides.

As required, range models can be performed for major proposals where standard configurations are insufficient, and where a custom configuration and the model inputs/outputs are necessary to capture the business. In cases like this, the opportunity must undergo a business worthiness assessment to justify the use of engineering resources.

The Engineering group does not perform or support “what-if” modeling for customers, except as part of a sanctioned business development activity. If a customer is having difficulty determining from the product specifications that we provide (pixel size, lens focal length, NEdT, and DRI numbers) whether or not a certain system’s performance is sufficient for their application, using a more complex model like NVTherm is very unlikely to get the customer closer to a reliable answer.


46. Does FLIR offer MWIR bolometers, i.e., bolometers that are sensitive to mid-wave infrared? Will FLIR build a Photon / Tau camera (or a sensor package) with a window that responds below 7.0 microns (or, above 14 microns)?

The Photon and Tau camera families are not designed to operate in the MWIR band. We use windows on the sensor package that specifically block out IR radiation at wavelengths below 7.0 microns. This makes our cameras less susceptible to image artifacts caused by direct or indirect solar light.

The typical spectral response of a Tau camera using our standard solar-rejection window can be found at www.flir.com/cvs/cores/uncooled/products/tau/taup/. FLIR will not entertain customer requests for sensor packages with custom windows.


47. Does the digital zoom feature affect the LVDS output?

For Photon 320 and Photon 640, the zoom feature only affects the analog video.
For Tau, the zoom feature only affects the analog and BT-656 video.
The LVDS data is not affected by the zoom feature in either Photon or Tau cameras.




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