Opgal has recently developed an exciting addition to it cooled OGI camera, the EyeCGas 2.0. Built in quantification, without the need for a third party product. We sat down with our Chief Innovation Scientist, Dr. Ram Hashmonay to answer a few questions on this challenging task which resulted in a simplified procedure.
Q: The EyeCSite QOGI was developed a few years ago to work with the EyeCGas 2.0. How is the built- in quantification any different?
A: The EyeCSite QOGI is an extensive calculation of gas concentration across the OGI frame. For the built in algorithm, we found a way to reduce the gas concentration calculation to limited number of pixels with quality temperature difference (D T ) without compromising accuracy.
Q: Why is it important to simplify the algorithm in this way and not just use the same one as in the EyCSIte QOGI?
A: Transferring as is the “heavy duty” quantification algorithm of the EyeCSite into the EyeCGas 2.0 OGI camera can take a toll on the operation of the camera and battery life. This simplified but accurate algorithm which we implemented does not impact at all the EyeCGas 2.0 operation. The operator can use the camera for up to 5 hours with each battery same as before. This also allows us to install the build-in software on existing EyeCGas 2.0 cameras without the need to purchase a new camera all together.
Q: So why wasn’t this done in the first place?
A: The research and development process and experience that we gained during the development of our QOGI software in the past few years, allowed us to better understand how to approximate and simplify the algorithm in a way that not only gives us similar results, but better accuracy than before.
Q: It seems like other Optical Gas Imaging manufacturers have also begun implementing quantification into their OGI cameras. What is the difference between Opgal’s quantification and the rest
A: In our approach, we found a way to theoretically calibrate the specific response of the camera for each gas to a concentration value. We are not using relative response factor and we believe this allows us to be top performers in several comparison blind control release studies (like GERG study).
Q: Is this the final product? Or are you working on improving the accuracy of the quantification?
A: We are always working on improving the accuracy of the quantification (and other camera features). The unique thing about our cameras, is that our customers will always get the latest updates via a simple software upgrade, and they don’t need to purchase a new camera.
Q: So if a customer owns an EyeCGas 2.0 which he purchased a few years back, in order to get this feature do they don’t need to purchase or upgrade to a new camera?
A: You got it right! They only need to update their software with the new updates that everyone gets for free.
