A battery powered near infrared (NIR) camera for the MIT HelioDome

Research in advanced fenestration systems has led to the development of the Heliodome project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Daylighting Laboratory. The MIT Heliodome project is dedicated to goniophotometry and the assessment of bidirectional photometric properties of light- (or heat-)redirecting facade systems by using digital cameras as multiple-points photosensors, that cover the visible and near infrared portions of the sunlight spectrum. Two cameras are used in this device: a charge couple device (CCD) camera using silicon detectors and a near infrared (NIR) camera using InGaAs sensors. Both cameras are mounted to a table which has two degrees of rotational freedom, altitude and azimuth. Using the rotating table and cameras in combination with an ellipsoidal dome, which is coated with a semi-transparent specula coating, allows a time-efficient and continuous measurement of bidirectional transmission (or reflection) density functions (BTDFs or BRDFs). This thesis seeks to enhance current Heliodome operations by developing a portable power source for the NIR camera. A portable power system has been designed and constructed to operate the NIR camera during measurement sessions. The portable power system allows the rotating table to rotate completely free of constraints caused by weight, imbalance, power and light path obstruction issues. This contribution to the Heliodome project provides the user with more reliable data and relief from disorderly setup.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Molina, Keith M. (Keith Martin)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Marilyne Anderson.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/45325

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/45325