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'P' and 'T' camera series

   
These cameras were an attempt to enter the police & security markets with a fairly low cost thermal camera, certainly a lot cheaper than getting the helicopter out ! The only previous attempt was through the P4430 / P4431 tube cameras with long focal length interchangeable and focussed lenses They unfortunately had limited sales, although those forces that bought the TT were very pleased.
The 'P' type had interchangeable lenses with manual focus, the TT came in narrow and wide fields of view with fixed focus. While most sales were of black cameras, some green (military) and yellow (marine) were also made. The 160 variant was not that much cheaper so had limited appeal.
Additionally a few sample P-type cameras were built with 640x480 pixel sensors, although processing and display limited to 320x240 this gave low noise images as standard and a 1:1 image in x2 zoom

A set of P camera images from Southampton using the full set of lenses, the ship is an oil tanker at ~ 0.9 miles
Lens B: 8.6mm f/1.0 giving a 50° field of view
Lens C: 19mm f/1.3 giving a 24° field of view
Lens D: 35mm f/1.0 giving a 13° field of view
Lens E: 46mm f/1.0 giving a 10° field of view
Lens F: 65mm f/1.3 giving a 7° field of view

Data Table for P and TT security cameras
   
Sensing Method Bolometer using A-Si materials. The pixel resistance changes with temperature as it is heated or colled by the scene focussed upon it.
Sensor Type / Size ULIS 320x240 25µm pitch (PB320 / TT320) sensor has heater for low temperatures
ULIS 160x120 25µm pitch (PB160 / TT160) sensor has heater for low temperatures
ULIS 640x480 17µm pitch - samples only, with lens 'E'
Lens Parameters P type interchangeable lenses
B 8.6mm f/1.0
C 19mm f/1.3
D 35mm f/1.0
E 46mm f.1.0
F 65mm f/1.3

TT cameras
For 320 sensor 8.6mm f/1 and 19mm f/1.3 giving 50 and 25° fields of view respectively
For 160 sensor 4.3mm f/1 and 8.6mm f/1 giving 50 and 25° fields of view respectively
Dynamic Range / Control 150°C in 'ambient scene' settings. No iris, dynamic range controlled by sensor electronic settings.
Display P cameras 320x240 pixel 0.7" OLED with optical viewfinder
TT cameras 320x240 pixel 3.5" colour LCD, driven direct
Sensitivity (MDTD) Between 40mK and 70mK in 'ambient scene' depending on lens aperture.
P type with lens E and TT320B gave the best MDTD
Power Source 6 x NiMH 1800mAh as standard but an accessory pack to take 'AA' cells was also available.
Power System Battery voltage used internally, camera ~4W depending on sensor heater loading.
Video Output Analogue video output available via standard RCA connector at 60Hz / 525 line NTSC only.
Image Processing Bolometer sensors require calibration and also 'on the fly' blank field correction using a periodic shutter. Various algorithms to present the huge dynamic ranges of a fire scene with false colour choices. 160x120 pixel sensors scale up 2x.
Manufacturer Status New build ceased 2019Spares and repairs are no longer supported by Avon.
Number and Years Built 100's from 2010 - 2019
Export Status Dual use controlled under Wassenaar Arrangement unless a 9Hz limited type.
Publicity P camera datasheet
datasheet for camera lens E (46mm)
TT camera datasheet

Hobby user information

The 'P' and 'T' type cameras are obsolete and may be found in disposals for that reason. FIRE-TICS can support these users.
The 'P' type suffered with life issues on the OLED display bleeding in black areas rendering many unuseable except as static cameras
The same core electronics set is used as in the earlier Mi-TIC cameras, indeed the 'P' and 'T' type preceded the Mi-TIC.
The batteries are standard Duracell DR5 Lithium Ion.

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Heritage TICs e2v P & T cameras page 19 September 2025  All tradename © respective owners