Digital Thermal Fusion Night vision for Nocturnal Wildlife Study [2024]
Developing the first affordable thermal fusion night vision goggles and a complementary drone camera system, this honors capstone research project focused on creating unique digital night vision systems to improve nocturnal wildlife observation.
Traditional Nocturnal Wildlife study methods
often face challenges in effectively gathering imaging data, making it difficult to locate, identify, and catalog wildlife. Traditional methods utilizing spotlights can be disruptive to wildlife and ineffective under various environmental conditions.
Thermal Imaging
is sometimes used for detecting wildlife through their heat signatures but cannot see visual biological features, such as fur patterns, which are essential for determining factors like species and age.
Thermal Fusion
Imaging overlays imagery from a thermal sensor with that of a digital night vision camera, enhancing the biological detection and low-light imaging capabilities of both systems. Adapted from military-grade night vision methodologies, this approach inexpensively meets the imaging requirements of nocturnal wildlife studies.
Thermal Fusion Night Vision Goggles and Drone Camera Systems
are the primary outcomes of this honors research project, providing researchers with real time thermal fusion imagery. Developed with input from nocturnal wildlife ecology researchers, these devices represent two common systems used in conducting nocturnal wildlife studies.
256x192 Thermal
Cameras
are used on both prototypes, providing adequate thermal imaging resolution while keeping cost low.
Low light Cameras
Provide visible and infrared night
vision imagery.
Infrared Spotlights
Provide invisible illumination in extreme low light scenarios.
Helmet Mounted Night Vision Goggle system
Allows for night time navigation and motion tracking, as well as magnified imagery for long-range observation, providing the user with real-time thermal fusion imagery.
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Thermal fusion drone camera system
utilizes remote image processing, forgoing the need for computing hardware in the camera system, with image blending and display taking place on a ground station computer.
Project Research
Process
A Staged Approach
The research and development process was taken to evaluate the feasibility of producing a low-cost thermal fusion system. Contextual research into nocturnal wildlife studies, night vision equipment, and low-light imaging techniques informed the imaging methodology and design strategy.
The iterative design and development phases refined firmware, hardware, and functionality, culminating in testing and validation of the system. This process provided deeper insights into the development of night vision systems tailored to nocturnal wildlife studies.
Note: The research and development process began with contextual research into nocturnal wildlife study methods (first slide), followed by the design and development of thermal fusion imaging systems (second slide). The systems and approach were validated through testing (third slide). (Angus Logue, 2024)
Firmware Optimization and Hardware Design
phases focused on enhancing firmware efficiency, selecting the target processing hardware while integrating user controls, display, and power components. The physical form of the devices was designed to support these elements, ensuring an ergonomic, functional and rugged outcome.
Note: Both Firmware and Hardware development are undertaken to incorporate the developed thermal fusion camera system into two high fidelity prototypes. (Angus Logue, 2024)
Field Research
identified key imaging objectives for nocturnal wildlife studies through literature and expert engagement: locating, observing, and identifying species while minimizing disruption to their natural behavior.
Existing thermal imaging systems lack the visual detail needed to identify biological markers such as banding and fur patterns, critical for species identification. Similarly, equipment like spotlights proved highly disruptive to wildlife.
Thermal fusion imagery emerged as a highly effective solution, combining heat detection with the ability to capture essential visual details for biological identification.
Note: Thermal imaging cameras (top) are unable to detect visual detail, while night vision cameras an thermal fusion device are able to detect both heat sources and visual detail (bottom). (Angus Logue, 2024)
Proof of Concept
platforms were developed to evaluate imaging sensors in low-light conditions. Custom camera firmware was created to blend digital night vision and low-light imagery, demonstrating the potential for integrating thermal fusion technology into future designs.
Testing protocols were established to facilitate efficient field and laboratory evaluations of firmware performance.
Note: Low fidelity prototypes were created as a proof of concept for field and lab testing the of the thermal fusion imaging system developed (Angus Logue, 2024)
Expert Validation and Testing
The design approach was validated through collaboration with a nocturnal wildlife studies expert, who assessed the imaging requirements and methodology underpinning the project.
Testing and validation activities empirically measured the system’s performance. Existing night vision testing methodologies were adapted to evaluate both infrared and thermal imaging capabilities, aligning with the multi-spectral functionality of the thermal fusion system.
Note: Testing the systems outdoors (top) Adapting imaging resolution testing to work across both the infrared and thermal imaging spectrum Bottom left and right). (Angus Logue, 2024)
Significance in Project Outcomes And Future Development
This project combined contextual research, iterative design development, and validation to identify imaging, practical, and user-centered requirements for night vision systems in nocturnal wildlife studies.
The resulting designs include two innovative outcomes: an affordable thermal fusion night vision goggle system and a drone camera system. These prototypes highlight the advantages of thermal fusion imaging, such as enhanced low-light performance, detailed visual capture, and biological detection.
Expert engagement and testing validated the designs while uncovering limitations, including resolution constraints due to portable processing in the goggles and transmission issues in the drone system. Addressing these challenges will further enhance the systems’ ability to capture detailed, thermally enhanced imagery.
Beyond the specific prototypes, the project expanded knowledge in designing and prototyping complex electro-optical systems, addressing user needs, and integrating ergonomic considerations. While not intended for commercial production, the prototypes provided valuable insights into the design and development process.
(Background) Note: The thermal fusion night vision goggles and drone camera system developed in this project (Angus Logue, 2024)
Moving forward, these prototypes demonstrate my ability to research, understand, and develop complex systems as design solutions. They highlight my skills in electronics design while serving as a foundation for further development of practical, field-ready thermal fusion night vision systems.