The design of most contemporary FLIRs is strongly driven by specific end user applications. Typical system architectures are unable to accommodate expansion to larger format focal planes, utilize alternative detector materials, or provide flexible sets of user accessible image and digital data manipulation features without significant investments in redesign. Amber provides an innovative solution to this dilemma by offering a modular infrared camera featuring flexible hardware and software architectures designed for stand-alone research and industrial instrumentation activity as well as in embedded gimbal FLIR systems applications.