What is NETD?

Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD) is a crucial parameter in thermal imaging systems. It represents the smallest temperature difference that the thermal camera can detect reliably in the presence of noise. In simpler terms, NETD indicates the thermal sensitivity of the camera.

NETD is called "thermal sensitivity" in technical parameters, and the actual definition is "noise equivalent temperature difference". It is a measure of how well a thermal camera detector can distinguish subtle differences in thermal radiation in an image.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of what NETD represents:

Noise: Thermal imagers are subject to various sources of noise, such as electronic noise within the camera and environmental factors. This noise can affect the accuracy of temperature measurements.

Equivalent: NETD provides a standardized way to compare the sensitivity of different thermal imaging devices. It allows users to understand how small of a temperature difference a camera can detect relative to its overall noise level.

Temperature Difference: This refers to the variation in temperature between different objects or regions within the camera's field of view.

Difference: NETD is essentially a threshold value that indicates how small a temperature difference can be reliably detected by the camera, considering the noise present in the system.

In practical terms, a lower NETD value indicates that the thermal camera is more sensitive and can detect smaller temperature variations with greater precision. Manufacturers often specify the NETD value in camera specifications to help users assess the camera's performance in detecting subtle temperature differences.

Therefore, when comparing thermal imaging systems, it's important to consider the NETD value as it directly impacts the camera's ability to provide accurate temperature measurements, especially in scenarios where detecting small temperature variations is critical.

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