Critical Features to Look for in a Thermal Imaging Drone

30 November 2021
 Categories: , Blog

Share  

It can be challenging to keep people off your property if you own a large tract of land. While a fence and security cameras will detract some trespassers, they can only do so much. Therefore, property owners should look beyond stationary cameras and fences in order to keep their assets safe. Thermal drones are perfect mobile security systems since you can fly them practically anywhere, day or night. As their name suggests, thermal drones are equipped with infrared cameras that sense the heat produced by any living organism, including animals and human beings. This article highlights the key features to look for in quality thermal imaging drones.

Radiometric Ability

Besides the format, display modes, and zoom ability, property owners should look for thermal drones with some radiometric ability. Notably, radiometric thermal cameras measure and display the specific temperature of objects within the device's field of view. Most experts agree that buying a thermal imaging drone without any radiometric ability is a deal-breaker and a waste of money. It is mainly the case if you want to use a drone for more than security purposes. For instance, if you want to identify sick individuals in a crowd, a drone with radiometric capabilities can help with the identification process. Similarly, a radiometric system can be used in rescue systems to locate missing persons or bodies. Most importantly, thermal drones with radiometric systems act as spot meters that show differences in temperatures between subjects in the field of view.

High Thermal Sensor Resolution

Camera sensor resolution is a critical attribute in thermal drones since it dictates the amount of information a drone gathers during inspections. Typically, the resolution sensors in thermal imaging drones are of two types; 336 x 256 and 640 x 512. Thermal sensors with the highest resolutions are the best because they allow you to fly drones high without affecting the image's quality. It is essential during inspections where trespassers might attempt to bring down a drone using projectiles. However, if you fly a thermal imaging drone low, a lower thermal sensor resolution will suffice. The bottom line is that you need to assess your specific security needs before deciding which sensor resolution is best.

Temperature Range

When you fly a thermal imaging drone over your property, it captures different objects within its field of view. Notably, objects radiate heat at varying intensities; therefore, your drone should capture the intended target. First, however, you need to pay attention to the thermal imaging temperature range of a drone. This is the highest and lowest temperatures that sensors can detect, and it should align with your needs. For instance, if you plan to use a drone to find trespassers on your property, its temperature range should accommodate the human body's heat signature.

For more information, contact a thermal imaging drone supplier near you.