Model gate
Benchmark single-pixel SNR ≥ 10 for a 3 cm, 430 K char at 120 m.
COTS payload screen ยท 2026-06-16
Quote COTS paths before committing to custom fabrication.
The updated F-number-aware screen shows that some fast 640-class COTS cameras can clear the 3 cm smouldering-char SNR gate at 120 m. RFS-011 now needs product evidence and quotes: raw frames, calibration state, integration burden, false-positive performance, and unit cost.
What changed
The COTS question moved from optical plausibility to product qualification.
Budget gate
AUD 100k (~USD 66k) spread across the payloads needed for hourly revisit.
Custom reference
Current custom recurring band is USD 22k–USD 57k per payload before quotes.
Open decision
COTS can only replace custom if raw radiometry, calibration state, payload integration, and false-positive performance clear review.
First-order COTS screen
Detection, coverage, and quote ceilings at 120 m.
| Payload path | HFOV / F# | GSD | 1px SNR | Coverage | 500 ha | 1,000 ha | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Boson+ survey reference custom optical head | 24.6 deg / F/2.0 | 8.2 cm | 45.0 | 179 ha/h | 3 payloads / USD 22k | 6 payloads / USD 11k | Custom reference |
| ICI 8640 P, 35 mm lens class COTS radiometric camera | 17.6 deg / F/1.0 | 5.8 cm | 757.2 | 127 ha/h | 4 payloads / USD 16k | 8 payloads / USD 8k | Quote as COTS candidate |
| ICI 8640 P, 25 mm lens class COTS radiometric camera | 24.8 deg / F/1.0 | 8.2 cm | 375.4 | 181 ha/h | 3 payloads / USD 22k | 6 payloads / USD 11k | Quote as COTS candidate |
| Hadron 640R fixed module integrated COTS module | 32.0 deg / F/1.0 | 10.8 cm | 166.1 | 236 ha/h | 3 payloads / USD 22k | 5 payloads / USD 13k | Conditional quote gate |
| 45 deg 640-class radiometric camera COTS drone-camera class | 45.0 deg / F/1.0 | 15.5 cm | 105.8 | 341 ha/h | 2 payloads / USD 33k | 3 payloads / USD 22k | Physics pass, product gate open |
| 69 deg 640-class mapping camera wide COTS drone-camera class | 69.0 deg / F/1.0 | 25.8 cm | 38.4 | 565 ha/h | 1 payload / USD 66k | 2 payloads / USD 33k | Physics pass, product gate open |
| Lepton 3.1R SWaP floor microcamera module | 95.0 deg / F/1.1 | 163.7 cm | 0.4 | 898 ha/h | 1 payload / USD 66k | 2 payloads / USD 33k | Reject primary path |
The area columns show required payload count and the maximum per-payload unit cost allowed by the AUD 100k payload budget. They are quote ceilings, not vendor prices.
Before procurement
Each surviving branch still has a product-evidence gate.
Custom Boson+ survey reference
Keep as the controlled custom reference, but do not fabricate before the COTS quote gate.
Strong: detector-level raw/pre-AGC path is part of the custom requirement.
ICI 8640 P, 35 mm lens class
Quote as the strongest COTS-adjacent surrogate for focused-zone trials.
Strong: local baseline records 14-bit raw/radiometric output and SDK/USB integration.
ICI 8640 P, 25 mm lens class
Quote beside the custom reference because coverage is similar but optical risk is lower.
Strong: local baseline records 14-bit raw/radiometric output and SDK/USB integration.
Hadron 640R fixed module
Quote only if the exact radiometric/raw data path and thermal calibration hooks are acceptable.
Conditional: radiometric Boson-family core, but exact raw/pre-AGC export must be confirmed.
45 deg 640-class radiometric camera
Do not buy generically; ask vendors for raw radiometry, calibration hooks, mass, power, and quote.
Variable: Vue Pro R / XT2 / Tau / Duet-class products differ in raw access and lifecycle status.
69 deg 640-class mapping camera
Quote only as a find-only area-survey branch; reject if raw frames or calibration state are hidden.
Variable: wide fixed-lens cameras can be radiometric, but exact raw/pre-AGC access is product-specific.
Lepton 3.1R SWaP floor
Use only as an electronics and pipeline floor; reject as the RFS-011 primary payload.
Partial: radiometric output exists, but format, frame rate, and resolution are severe limits.
RFS-011 decision reading
The next stakeholder choice is COTS quote gate versus custom package ownership.
Quote COTS now
Ask vendors for raw/pre-AGC access, calibration metadata, lens F-number, mass, power, export limits, and unit pricing for the exact payload candidate.
Keep custom alive
Custom optics remain justified if RFS needs package ownership, baffling/window control, detector placement, or a narrower false-positive/localization path.
Reject Lepton as primary
The SWaP floor is useful for electronics and pipeline work but does not clear the 3 cm target gate at the reference altitude.
Do not close RFS-011 yet
The screen reduces uncertainty but still needs quotes, product data, and stakeholder agreement on target area and altitude authorisation.