AXT100 Thermal Camera Launched
as Flagship Product of Innovative Array Technology

DEXTER, MI January 3, 2006 – A paradigm shift in the thermal imaging industry is on the horizon. Ann Arbor Sensor Systems, LLC, a small Michigan-based company specializing in non-contact temperature measurement, has teamed up with Malaysia-based MemsTech in developing the first thermal imaging camera using large-format thermopile focal plane array technology. “We saw the benefits of thermopiles against microbolometers for non-contact temperature use,” Director David Kryskowski explained. “We applied that research when we designed and successfully fabricated the largest non-vacuum packed thermopile array in the world.”

Thermopiles are tiny sensors currently used in hundreds of non-contact temperature measuring devices, such as ear thermometers. “The array is what allows us to release the AXT100 Thermal Imaging Camera at under five thousand dollars,” Kryskowski continued. “With our 32x31 thermopile array, we can achieve satisfactory image quality and signal-to-noise ratios while shaving thousands off the price.”

Fabrication and manufacturing of the array was handed off to MemsTech, a manufacturer of a large line of various temperature and pressure sensors, as well as accelerometers. “We joined forces with Ann Arbor Sensor Systems because we realized the potential of the array for mass distribution.. [be it] in a core or finished product,” U.S. Executive Director Srini Naidu commented. “The price of the AXT100 is designed to supply anyone with a thermal imaging camera. This new array approach allows that to be possible.” Naidu continued to explain that the low cost was due the absence of vacuum packaging of the thermopile array, which is not required.

Additional features of the new product include an internal Web server that can securely broadcast raw data or a rendered video stream to anywhere in the world. “This feature opens up the door to truly affordable remote thermal imaging,” Kryskowski said. “Multiple AXT100 cameras can monitor multiple targets and deliver radiometric data and video to central control through Ethernet and the Web.” Kryskowski noted that remote thermal imaging is currently not available for less than $10,000 USD.

“This is an incredible product that both we and MemsTech are proud to release,” Kryskowski concluded. “The AXT100 is the pioneer of what will be a line of affordable AXT remote thermal imaging products.” The camera’s applications are chiefly industrial, such as process control. Industries such as glass, plastics, and paper also benefit, as temperature monitoring is vital to their day-to-day operations.

The new product is available now through their website, or by calling Ann Arbor Sensor Systems corporate headquarters at (734) 426-1791.

David Kryskowski of Ann Arbor Sensor Systems can be reached at Kryskowski.David@aas2.com, or through their website, www.aas2.com.

Srini Naidu of MemsTech can be reached at srini@memstech.com, or through their website, www.memstech.com.