Waveshare Thermal Imaging Camera Module – Raspberry Pi HAT or USB-C model, 80×62 resolution, dual FOV options (45°/90°)

The Waveshare Thermal Imaging Camera module comes in two variants, namely the Thermal-45/90 Camera Raspberry Pi HAT and Thermal-45/90 USB Camera. The main difference between the two is that the HAT is designed to be attached to a Raspberry Pi, Pi Zero, or any other SBC that features a Pi-compatible pin layout like the Sipeed Longan Pi3H, Banana Pi BPI-M4, Radxa Zero 3W SBC, and others. On the other hand, the USB module can be connected to any PC, Android, or other device with a USB connection.

The camera features a shutterless design, which is why it can produce a thermal imaging video stream output of up to 25 frames per second (FPS). Additionally, Waveshare offers options for different fields of view (FOV) – a basic version with a 45° FOV and a wide-angle version with a 90° FOV, making it suitable for applications like IR thermometers, industrial temperature control, security & safety, intruder/motion detection, and more.

Waveshare Thermal Imaging Camera specifications:

• Thermal image processor – MI48x3 with SenXor Bus, I2C, SPI, and USB Interface
• Thermal camera module – MI0801 with Radiometric output, and Screw-type mount
• FOV
  • Basic version – 45°(H)×45°(V)
  • Wide angle version – 90°(H)×68°(V)
• Refresh rate – 25 FPS
• Wavelength detection range – 8 – 14 μm
• Noise equivalent temperature difference – 150mK RMS @ 1Hz refresh rate
• Video stream – Up to 25FPS (Max) thermal imaging video stream output
• Measuring accuracy – ±2°C (ambient temp. 10~70°C)
• Operating voltage – 5V
• Operating current –  61mA @ 5V
• Temperature specs
  • Operating temperature: -20 to 85°C
  • Target temperature: -20 to 400°C
• Dimensions
  • Thermal Camera HAT / Thermal-90 Camera HAT – 65.0×30.5mm
  • Thermal USB Camera / Thermal-90 USB Camera –  62.0×13.0mm

The camera HAT communicates with the Raspberry Pi using both I2C and SPI connections. I2C is utilized to configure the camera’s settings and registers, while SPI efficiently transfers the captured thermal data to the Raspberry Pi for processing and display.

Waveshare provides software packages for its Thermal Camera HAT and Thermal USB Camera modules for Windows, Android, Raspberry Pi (including Pi 5), and other Linux systems to capture, visualize, and analyze thermal data. The software packages along with the camera schematics, demo code, and datasheets for the MI48x3 Thermal image processor and Thermal camera module MI0801 can all be found on the Waveshare’s wiki.

Previously we have reviewed and written about some similar thermal cameras like Xtherm II TS2 (Review with Android), HT-102 Thermal Camera, M5Stack Thermal Camera and more feel free to check those out if you are looking for a thermal camera.

The Waveshare Thermal Camera HAT and Thermal USB Camera modules are available on Amazon for $149.99 and $139.99 respectively with shipping included, at least to the US. Alternatively, the Thermal Camera HAT and USB module can be purchased on Aliexpress for $126.29 with free shipping, or directly on the Waveshare store for $119.99 plus shipping.

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