The Grove - Thermal Imaging Camera MLX90641 features a 16x12 pixel infrared (IR) thermal sensor array (MLX90641), designed to deliver high-precision, non-contact temperature measurements across a wide -40°C to 300°C range. With a wide field of view (FOV) of 110°×75°, this camera module captures more area with outstanding accuracy, making it ideal for IoT, industrial, and smart monitoring applications.
Thanks to the I2C Grove interface, it ensures seamless integration with a wide range of MCUs (Microcontroller Units), requiring minimal setup effort. This compact and fully calibrated IR camera is optimized for edge computing scenarios where space and efficiency are critical.
Key Features
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Compact 16x12 pixel IR thermal sensor array using MLX90641
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Wide 110°×75° field-of-view to cover larger detection areas
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Broad temperature measuring range from -40°C to 300°C
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I2C Grove Interface for simple connection and communication
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Fully calibrated sensor for quick deployment
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Low power consumption (~18mA) suitable for portable and embedded systems
How Thermal Imaging Works
All objects emit infrared radiation. The Grove Thermal Imaging Camera detects subtle temperature differences in the surrounding environment using a sensitive heat sensor. The captured infrared data is converted into an electronic thermal image, revealing the heat profile of objects. Hotter objects emit more infrared radiation, making this camera a powerful tool for both visible and invisible heat detection.
Application Scenarios
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High-precision non-contact temperature measurements
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Microwave oven monitoring
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Intrusion and movement detection systems
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Residential, commercial, and industrial HVAC sensing
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Industrial temperature control for moving parts
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Visual IR thermometers
Specification
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 16×12 pixels |
| Field of View (FOV) | 110°×75° |
| Temperature Measuring Range | -40°C to 300°C |
| Refresh Rate | 0.5Hz to 64Hz |
| Interface | I2C |
| Voltage | 3.3V–5V |
| Current | ~18mA |
Important Usage Note
This module requires an MCU with at least 20,000 bytes of RAM to process thermal images properly. Entry-level development boards like the Arduino UNO are not compatible due to insufficient processing capabilities. We recommend using Arch Mix or similarly capable MCUs for best results when working with this sensor.
What is Grove?
Grove is an open-source, standardized connector system developed by Seeed Studio. It makes prototyping easier by removing the need for soldering and jumpers. With over 300 compatible Grove modules, you can easily build a wide variety of electronic applications. Grove is fully supported with open hardware and open-source software resources.
Shipping list
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1x Grove - Thermal Imaging Camera - MLX90641 16x12 IR Array with 110° FOV