Why is it thermal camera did not work when RF heating is on? Is there interference of the signal in the camera? Is the RF leakage can damage the camera?
Roland,
A few more details might help.
What model of camera? What is it that is being heated, and how, exactly?
Most RF heaters will generate very high electromagnetic fields and these can easily disrupt / destroy the electronics in nearby devices if precautions are not taken. Does you camera still work at all even with the RF off? At least then you only have the problem of disruption. Without knowing a lot more about your arrangement I cannot give you a detailed solution which would be sure to work.
I share the views of having more details. Meanwhile, you can use infrared cameras that work on thermographic principles. You can search the website of FLIR, a thermal equipment manufacturer for more apt thermal cameras and their specifications
Wavelength effects influence radiofrequency (RF) power deposition distributions and limit magnetic resonance (MR) applications at very high magnetic fields.
Hi everyone,
The thermal camera was used to monitor the RF heating but it was not working during the heating process. The camera was outside the RF shielding cage (meshed steel metal). I have experienced also RF leakage in the surroundings.
Roland,
Ah.
Your IR camera is looking through a steel mesh that is at room temperature?
Well, most IR imagers have rather poor angular resolution - and some models will overlay a coarse IR temperature map over a much finer optical image - giving one the misleading impression that one can detect IR features with small spatial scales.
I think that you are measuring the temperature of the steel mesh - unwittingly.
When you say that 'it was not working' did the camera refuse to turn on, or was it that you were simply seeing something that you did not expect?
Which model do you have?
Hi James,
The camera was connected to the computer to monitor the temperature. When the RF is on, the camera shutdown and the mouse of the computer was not functioning too.
Dear Roland: The simultaneous failure of an IR camera and a computer mouse would lead me to guess that a) these devices are both connected to the computer via USB, and b) that the RF heater interferes with the USB signal.
However, you mention that you are using a FLIR A20; my understanding is that this camera produces composite (analog) video output but can also be accessed through an Ethernet connection. Well, what can I say... any RF interference that's strong enough to mess with your mouse may mess with your Ethernet, too, perhaps even more so. Or is it possible that you are connecting the camera to the computer using a video capture device, which, in turn, is connected via USB?
At this point, there are just too many possibilities. The cause is obviously strong RF interference, but without detailed knowledge of your setup it is difficult to offer specific advice. What kind of mouse (e.g., USB, wireless)? How is it connected (e.g., wired USB, wireless USB adapter, Bluetooth radio)? How is the FLIR camera connected? What does "camera shutdown" mean, does the camera power down, or do you simply lose the connection between the camera and the computer? These details are essential to understanding your issue in full.
Nonetheless, the generic solution would remain the same. You know the cause: RF interference. You know the source of the RF interference. So move all affected equipment as far away from the source as you can. Remove everything non-essential that can pick up interference; e.g., if you are connecting things via a USB hub, get rid of the hub and connect only essential devices directly to the computer. Make sure you are using good quality shielded cables. Try to use single pieces of cable instead of, e.g., USB extension cables. Do not use cables that are longer than necessary. Unplug everything you don't need to prevent them from acting as unintended antennas for the RF noise.
If the RF can jam a mouse then I would actually be concerned that the level of RF around your experiment may exceed the standards set in Canada. I think you should fix your RF screen first then attend to the other matters. If your RF heater is a commercial unit with a commercial screen, I strongly recommend a 'heated' call to the supplier. Something here isn't right!
Dear Ronald,
My answer may be coming late. However, it may be useful.
The key of the solution of the problem is to know specifically why the camera shuts down.
I would assume that the rf radiation will flood the infrared sensors, which may be effective at the rf detectors. Therefore, the camera will be saturated.
So, you have to increase the distance from the rf source as you can. in addition to screening the camera from all sides.
Best wishes
Dear Ronald,
as all and Abdelhalim Zekry said, it is prudent to increase the distance from the RF-source (nearly, an RF-antenna!) and the Computer[1,2] (CPU, etc.), as you can.
1. Could you switch ON your PC-speakers (and set a high amplification) ? Could you switch ON a common radio receiver, also ?
2. What about, any malfunction indication(?), or any noise(?), in your cell phone ?
A steel mesh is by no way ideal to shield RF as the conductivity is too low. (You already experience significant leakage.) Copper is the material to be used regarding efficient shielding!
Even they you might experience some residual leakage, depending on the RF levels employed. Shielding is rarely perfect - it usually reduces the energy by some factor.
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