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Real-Time Control Issues
In the last two cases, spectral lters that
are selective at specic wavelengths
can help. Certain lters can make an
otherwise opaque gas appear transparent
or a transparent object appear opaque
over the appropriate IR band (Figure 8).
Summary
IR cameras used in machine vision and
other automation systems are analogous
to visible light cameras in similar systems.
White light cameras have optical issues
that must be managed, whereas IR
cameras have thermographic issues to
resolve. In both cases, achieving real-time
(or near-real-time) response requires
thoughtful selection of the controller
and careful design of the application
program. Third party software can
provide out-of-the-box program
development tools that eliminate or
minimize the need to write program
code. Generally, there are no perfect
solutions – developing an automated
machine vision system, whether based
on visible light or IR, usually involves
compromises of one sort or another.
The camera manufacturer can be a
great source of help in developing
these systems.