Case Study: FLIR Systems reduces concept-to-prototype time 60% and accelerates thermal-imaging FPGA development with MathWorks (MATLAB and HDL Coder)

FLIR Accelerates Development of Thermal Imaging FPGA

FLIR Systems, a leading maker of thermal imaging infrared cameras, struggled with a slow, error-prone FPGA development process caused by a handoff gap between algorithm and hardware engineers. To close that gap they turned to MathWorks tools—primarily MATLAB and HDL Coder (with Fixed‑Point Designer, Image Processing Toolbox, and supporting MathWorks products)—to move algorithms from simulation to hardware more directly.

Using MathWorks’ workflow, FLIR engineers developed and verified algorithms in MATLAB, converted them to fixed‑point and generated synthesizable HDL with HDL Coder, and deployed prototypes to FPGA for bit‑true verification. The MathWorks-based approach cut time to a field‑testable prototype by 60%, reduced major enhancements from weeks to hours (example: 3 hours vs. 6 weeks), and increased code reuse from 0% to 30%, improving responsiveness and customer and engineer satisfaction.

FLIR Systems

Nicholas Hogasten

Manager of Image Processing Technology