Product description: IR thermal imaging camera MLX90641 16×12px, 55° FOV - I2C - Waveshare 20465
A thermal imaging camera module based on the MLX90641 chip with 16 x 12 px resolution. Allows measurement of object temperature in the range of -40°C to 300°C with an accuracy of ± 2°C. The module communicates with the microcontroller via I2C interface. FOV of the camera is 55° x 35°. The camera is powered by 3.3 V or 5 V.
The manufacturer provides a user guide with connection instructions and sample code.
IR thermal imaging camera MLX90641.
Camera principle.
Principle of operation
Every object emits a certain amount of infrared radiation, the camera is equipped with a heat sensor that can detect small differences in temperature of objects in the environment. It then collects information about the radiation from the objects and creates an image based on the temperature differences. The warmer the object, the more IR radiation it produces. The module communicates with the microcontroller through an I2C interface. For proper operation of the camera, use a chip that has a minimum of 20000 bytes of RAM. The camera operates from 3.3 V to 5 V.
Outputs of the module
The module communicates with the microcontroller via the I2C interface and is equipped with a four-pin connector:
- VCC - supply voltage from 3.3 V to 5 V
- GND - system ground
- SDA - I2C bus data line
- SCL - I2C bus clock line
Example of connection with Raspberry Pi.
IR thermal camera.Specifications of the IR camera
- Supply voltage: 3.3 V or 5 V
- Field of view FoV: 55° x 35°
- Interface: I2C
- Measurement range: -40°C to 300°C
- Current consumption: ~12 mA
- Accuracy: ± 2°C (ambient temp. 0°C to 50°C)
- Refresh rate: from 0.5 Hz to 64 Hz
- Operating temperature: from -40°C to 125°C
- Dimensions: 25 x 16 mm
