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SWIR Cameras

SWIR Cameras

InGaAs sensors covering 0.9–1.7 µm, from a 320×256 camera running above 1 kHz full frame to 1920×1080 high-resolution area arrays, plus a 2048-pixel line-scan camera. All but one 640×512 version have thermoelectric sensor cooling (TEC). Country of origin: overseas (non-PRC).

中文

Illustration of a SWIR camera: square body with cooling fins and a C-mount fixed-focal lens
Original illustration, not a product photo. Actual appearance varies by model.

Specifications

ResolutionPixel
pitch
Sensor area
(mm)
Sensor
cooling
ResponseInterfacesFull-frame
rate
320×25615 µm4.80×3.84
6.1 diagonal
Yes (TEC)Linear (low read noise) or logarithmic (high dynamic range)USB3.0, Camera Link
Embedded: GigE, Camera Link
USB3.0: 1,000 Hz (high-speed version 1,098 Hz)
Camera Link: 890 Hz
Embedded: 820 Hz
640×51215 µm9.60×7.68
12.3 diagonal
Yes (TEC)Linear (low read noise) or logarithmic (high dynamic range)USB3.0, Camera Link
Embedded: GigE, Camera Link, HD-SDI, analog (PAL/NTSC)
Non-embedded: 200 Hz
Embedded GigE/Camera Link: 260 Hz
HD-SDI and analog: per video standard
640×51215 µm9.60×7.68
12.3 diagonal
NoneLogarithmic (high dynamic range)USB3.0100 Hz
640×51215 µm9.60×7.68
12.3 diagonal
Yes (two-stage TEC)LinearUSB3.0, Camera Link200 Hz
1280×102410 µm12.80×10.24
16.4 diagonal
Yes (TEC)LinearUSB3.0, Camera Link
Embedded: Camera Link, HD-SDI
60 Hz; 100 Hz with a region of interest of about 1280×614
1920×10808 µm15.36×8.64
17.6 diagonal
Yes (TEC)LinearUSB3.0, Camera Link
Embedded Camera Link version planned for 2027
60 Hz; 100 Hz with a region of interest of about 1280×614
2048×1 (line scan)8 × 15 µm—Yes (TEC)LinearEmbedded: Camera LinkLine rate 110 kHz

Sensor area is calculated from resolution and pixel pitch. Embedded versions output through standard protocols such as GenICam, GigE Vision, analog video or SDI; the other versions capture images through the supplied SDK (C++/Python). Once a specification is chosen, we can provide the datasheet, 3D model and SDK.

5 mm 320×256 15 µm · 4.80 × 3.84 mm · 6.1 mm diagonal 640×512 15 µm · 9.60 × 7.68 mm · 12.3 mm diagonal 1280×1024 10 µm · 12.80 × 10.24 mm · 16.4 mm diagonal 1920×1080 8 µm · 15.36 × 8.64 mm · 17.6 mm diagonal 5 mm 320×256 15 µm · 4.80 × 3.84 mm · 6.1 mm diagonal 640×512 15 µm · 9.60 × 7.68 mm · 12.3 mm diagonal 1280×1024 10 µm · 12.80 × 10.24 mm · 16.4 mm diagonal 1920×1080 8 µm · 15.36 × 8.64 mm · 17.6 mm diagonal
The four area-array sensors drawn to the same scale and aligned on their centers. Sensor area = resolution × pixel pitch; when choosing a lens, its image circle must cover the sensor diagonal.

Applications

  • Wafers and solar cells: silicon becomes increasingly transparent above 1.1 µm, revealing internal cracks and defects
  • Welding and hot glass: scenes with extreme brightness differences, suited to logarithmic (high dynamic range) response
  • Sorting and moisture: plastic sorting, and moisture detection from water absorption around 1.4–1.5 µm
  • Lasers: viewing 1064 nm and 1550 nm spots, beam alignment, and alignment tracking for free-space optical communication
  • Long-range observation: sees farther than visible-light cameras through fog, haze, smoke and dust

How SWIR differs from visible and thermal imaging is explained in our article What can SWIR see? and the infrared band reference table.

How to choose

  • For fine detail: 1280×1024 or 1920×1080. For fast events: 320×256, with full-frame rates above 1 kHz
  • Scenes with large brightness differences: logarithmic response. Weak signals or measurement work: linear response with sensor cooling
  • Continuously moving parts or web material: the line-scan camera
  • Connecting to an existing capture system: confirm the interface and protocol first (USB3.0, Camera Link, GigE, HD-SDI, analog)

Related products

Original illustration, not a product photo. Actual appearance varies by model.

Not sure which resolution and interface you need?

Tell us about the object, the field of view and your existing capture system; we will suggest a specification before quoting.