SWIR Archives - 1stVision Inc. - Machine Vision Articles

November 7, 2025November 12, 2025

VIS-SWIR solutions – the problems it solves

While we humans can only see what we’ve named to be visible light, bees can see UV light! Some camera sensors register IR wavelengths! Some cameras can sense both visible light and on through NIR and SWIR.

In this piece we focus on applications that benefit from combined VIS-SWIR solutions, from 400 nm through 2.5 nm.

Deconstructing the electromagnetic spectrum into it’s commonly known constituent regions

Example applications

Just to whet the appetite, consider the 4 sets of image pairs below. In each case, the leftmost image was captured with visible wavelengths, while the righthand image utilized SWIR portions of the spectrum. These pairs were chosen to highlight the compelling power of SWIR to identify features that are not apparent in the visible portion of the spectrum.

VIS-SWIR image pairs – Courtesy Allied Vision – a TKH company

For certain applications, one wouldn’t need the human-visible images, of course, as with machine vision the whole point is to automate the image processing and corresponding actions. So for counterfeit banknote detection, bottle fill level monitoring, materials identification, or crop monitoring, one might just design for the SWIR portion of the spectrum and ignore the VIS.

*Vein imaging application overlays SWIR image of veins into visible image of patient forearm –* *Image courtesy TAMRON*

But some applications might benefit from both the VIS and the SWIR images. For example, the vein imaging application might require a VIS reference image as well as a SWIR-specific image, for patient education and/or medical records.

*Monitor moisture levels in crops from airborne drone – Image courtesy TAMRON*

For the crop monitoring application above, the VIS spectrum clearly orients trees, hills, buildings, and roadways. Meanwhile pseudo-color-mapping shows the varied moisture levels as sensed in the SWIR portion of the spectrum.

The range of potential applications combining VIS and SWIR is staggering. One can improved on one’s own or a competitor’s previous application. Or innovate something altogether new.

Sensors that register both VIS and SWIR wavelengths

Sony’s IMX992 and IMX993 sensors utilize Sony’s SenSWIR technology, such that a single sensor and camera may be deployed across the combined VIS and SWIR portions of the spectrum. Without such sensors, a VIS SWIR solution would require at least two separate cameras – one each for VIS and SWIR, respectively. That would add unnecessary expense, takes up more space, and require camera and image synchronization.

Now there are cameras, such as several in Allied Vision’s Alvium series, in which Sony’s SenSWIR sensors are embedded. With several interface options, including mipi, USB3 Vision, and 5GigE Vision:

Mipi, USB3 Vision, and 5GigE Vision interface options – Courtesy Allied Vision – a TKH Company

Lens manufacturers doing their part

One of the beauties of the free-market system, together with agreements on standards for interfaces and lens mounts, is that each innovator and manufacturer can focus on what he does best. Sensor manufacturers bring out new sensors. Camera designers embed those sensors and provide programming controls, communications interfaces, and lens mounts. And optics professionals design and produce lenses. The benefits from a range of choices, performance options, and price points.

Navitar VIS-SWIR lenses

Navitar’s ZOOM 7000-2 macro lens imaging system delivers superb optical performance and image quality for visible and SWIR imaging. Their robust design ensures reliability even in harsh environments. ZOOM 7000-2 macro lenses are ideal for applications, such as machine vision, scientific and medical imaging applications.

ZOOM 7000-2 VIS-SWIR lens – Courtesy Navitar

In fact there are three models in the series:

Each model has its application – but only the middle one is designed explicitly for VIS-SWIR – Courtesy Navitar

Kowa FC24M multispectral lenses

Kowa’s FC24M C-mount lens series are manufactured with wide-band multi-coating. That minimizes flare and ghosting from VIS through NIR. These lenses are also compelling for a number of other reasons, including wide working range (as close as 15 cm MOD), durable construction, and a unique close distance aberration compensation mechanism.

FC24M C-mount lens series – Courtesy Kowa

That “floating feature” creates stable optical performance at various working distances. Internal lens groups move independently of each other, which optimizes alignment compared to traditional lens design.

Tamron Wide-band SWIR lenses

Other lensing options include Tamron’s Wide-band SWIR lenses. While the name says SWIR, in fact they are VIS-SWIR. Designed for compatibility with Sony’s IMX990 and IMX991 SenSWIR sensors, you have even more lens choices. Call us at 978-474-0044 if you’d like us to help you navigate to best-fit components in cameras, lensing, and lighting, for your particular application.

1st Vision’s sales engineers have over 100 years of combined experience to assist in your camera and components selection. With a large portfolio of cameras, lenses, cables, NIC cards and industrial computers, we can provide a full vision solution!

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September 4, 2025September 10, 2025

High-resolution 5GigE SWIR Goldeye Pro cameras

Available in 5.3 and 3.2 MP sensor options, the 5 GigE interface delivers framerates exceeding 100 fps. Based on the TEC-version of Sony’s IMX992/993 SenSWIR sensors, the cameras are sensitive from 400nm to 1,700nm, so they are classified as VSWIR. With a single sensor covering both the visible and SWIR range, new economies are possible for applications needing that spectral coverage.

Even if you don’t need VIS and just want SWIR…

These are compelling for SWIR applications for two key reasons:

They achieve impressive framerates for large sensors (by SWIR standards), at 115 fps for the 5.3 MP, and 159 fps for the 3.2 MP model. With a very affordable 5 GigE interface.
Outstanding image quality ideal for demanding applications.

Goldeye Pro – Courtesy Allied Vision – a TKH Vision brand

Our previous “coming soon” blog summarized key features, suggested applications, and a first look, so below we’ll go deeper now that the products are fully released.

Thermoelectric cooling (TEC) for image quality

The InGaAs (indium gallium arsenide) sensors used for SWIR imaging deliver the best images when temperature-stabilized. That’s provided by the thermoelectric cooling (TEC). That helps reduce dark noise and thermal current.

Must an InGaAs SWIR camera use TEC?

No, it’s not a requirement. Allied Vision is a leading producer of SWIR cameras, and while many include thermoelectric cooling, certain models do not. See all Allied Vision SWIR cameras and note some are “TECless.”

Whether your application requires TEC or not comes down to framerates, duty cycles, and overall performance demands. As with many engineering and design questions, how good is good enough?

Overview

Here are the key specifications at a glance:

Goldeye Pro models at a glance – Courtesy Allied Vision – a TKH Vision brand

For price quote or more information on either:

Goldeye Pro 5GigE G5-320 VSWIR TEC1

Goldeye Pro 5GigE G5-530 VSWIR TEC1

Features of note

Both models offer 12- and 10-bit sensor readout modes for achieving the highest possible dynamic range.

Both offer region-of-interest control to speed up frame rates and optimize bandwidth usage.

Both offer look-up tables to increase contrast.

Both provide digital binning and gain control to increase sensitivity.

And there are multiple user sets are available to simplify camera setup.

Applications

SWIR sees things that visible imaging cannot. (Likewise for UV, but that’s beyond the scope of this piece.) SWIR imaging can be mapped to “pseudo” images for human viewing – if required.

More to the point, machine vision applications get the job done in real-time without human involvement. Sort those materials. Monitor the perimeter for intruders. Optimize crop irrigation. etc.

If SWIR pseudo images help to get the juices flowing, here are a few:

*Visible vs. SWIR image pairs – Courtesy Allied Vision – a TKH Vision brand*

Vision Systems Design award-winner

While the award was earned in China, the cameras perform the same in whatever country they are deployed in.

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024

Edmund Optics C-Series Fixed Focal Length SWIR Lenses

Ideal when paired with SONY IMX990 or SONY IMX991 sensors, Edmund Optics’ C-Series fixed focal length SWIR lenses support a 2.8µm pixel pitch far smaller than classic SWIR pixel sizes in the 5 – 15µm range.

Fixed focal lengths help the lens designers achieve great performance while minimizing production costs due to fewer parts.

Please help me choose the right lens.

Industry-insider tip

Certain sensors marketed as Vis-SWIR (Visible plus SWIR spectrum coverage) are far less expensive than those traditionally designed for SWIR alone – and perform really well in the SWIR range (900 – 1700nm). The SONY IMX990 and SONY IMX991 are two such sensors, the former available in AVT Goldeye 130, and the latter in AVT Alvium 1800. So are SONY IMX992 and SONY IMX993, as featured in AVT Alvium cameras with diverse interface options.

So while certain users buy those sensors for applications that generate an image in both the visible and SWIR portions of the spectrum – MOST buyers are purchasing these sensors “just” do do SWIR applications in a cost-effective way.

It’s a bit like buying a dual-function toaster oven and never using one of the functions – but if it creates a valuable solution for you, who cares about the feature not used?

Edmund Optics saw the opportunity to create a lens series for the customers using the sensors referenced above to do dedicated SWIR applications. So they created their C-Series fixed focal length SWIR family, with 7 members, and focal lengths from 6 – 50mm.

Did we mention performance?

Recall that lens performance is typically expressed by the Modular Transfer Function (MTF). Below is the MTF chart for the 6mm FL at 1.3µm wavelength, from the Edmund Optics C-Series fixed focal length lenses. All 8 members of the family show comparable performance – see spec sheets for details.

MTF graph for the 6mm FL at 1.3µm wavelength” – Courtesy Edmund Optics

Shorter focal lengths not always easy to find

With fixed focal lengths at 6mm, 8.5mm, 12mm, 16mm, 25mm, 35mm, and 50mm, knowledgeable customers may note that especially the shorter focal length offerings are not that common in the machine vision optical market.

Compact and cost-effective

As fixed focal length lenses, each member of this lens series only need a focus adjustment – fine tuning – which is lockable against vibration slippage. They do NOT need the complexity of a varifocal lens. That means fewer glass elements and less metal, yielding a smaller form factor, handy if space is an issue.

It also means the lenses are less expensive to manufacture, a savings the user can enjoy in achieving a cost-effective way to get good performance in the SWIR spectrum.

Built as a variation on another lens series

It’s worth noting this SWIR-optimized lens series piggybacks on Edmund Optics visible spectrum C-Series fixed focal lenses. The key difference is the new lens series are optically coated for the SWIR spectrum. The benefit to the user is that Edmund Optics could do a spin on an existing lens series, which is cost-effective for the customer as well.

Optimized for factory automation applications

Both the visible and SWIR versions of the C-Series lenses have been optimized with factory automation in mind, particularly with respect to WD, size, and cost.

August 26, 2024August 26, 2024

New Alvium cameras with Sony SenSWIR InGaAs sensors

Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) imaging enables applications in a segment of the electromagnetic spectrum we can’t see with the human eye – or traditional CMOS sensors. See our whitepaper on SWIR camera concepts, functionality, and application fields.

Until recently, SWIR imaging tended to require bulky cameras, sometimes with cooling, which were not inexpensive. Cost-benefit analysis still justified such cameras for certain applications, but made it challenging to conceive of high-volume or embedded systems designs.

Enter Sony’s IMX992/993 SenSWIR InGaAs sensors. Now in Allied Vision Technologies’ Alvium camera families. These sensors “see” both SWIR and visible portions of the spectrum. So deploy them for SWIR alone – as capable, compact, cost-effective SWIR cameras. Or you can design applications that benefit from both visible and SWIR images.

Alvium configuration and interface options – Courtesy Allied Vision Technologies

Camera models and options first

The same two sensors, both the 5.3 MP Sony IMX992 and the 3.2 MP Sony IMX993, are available in the Allied Vision Alvium 1800 series with USB3 or MIPI CSI-2 interfaces. As well as in the Alvium G5 series with 5GigE interfaces.

And per the Alvium Flex option, besides the housed presentation available for all 3 interfaces, both the USB3 and CSI-2 versions may be ordered with bare board or open-back configuration, ideal for embedded designs.

Broken out by part number the camera models are:

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More about the Sony IMX992 / IMX993 sensors

The big brother IMX992 at 5.3 MP and sibling IMX993 at 3.2 MP share the same underlying design and features. Both have 3.45 µm square pixels. Both are sensitive across a wide spectral range from 400 nm – 1700 nm with impressive quantum efficiencies. Both provide high frame rates – to 84 fps for the 5.3 MP camera, and to 125 fps at 3.2 MP.

Distinctive features HCG and DRRS

Sony provides numerous sensor features to the camera designer, which Allied Vision in turn makes available to the user. Two new features of note include High-Conversion-Gain (HCG) and Dual-Read-Rolling-Shutter (DRRS). Consider the images below, to best understand these capabilities:

Illustrating the benefits of HCG and DRRS modes – Courtesy Sony

With the small pixel size of 3.45 µm, an asset in terms of compact sensor size, Sony innovated noise control features to enhance image quality. Consider the three images above.

The leftmost was made with Sony’s previously-released IMX990. It’s been a popular sensor and it’s still suitable for certain applications. But it doesn’t have the HCG nor DRRS features,

The center image utilized the IMX992 High-Conversion-Gain feature. HCG reduces noise by amplifying the signal immediately after light is converted to an electrical signal. This is ideal when shooting in dark conditions. In bright conditions one may use Low-Conversion-Gain (LCG), essentially “normal” mode.

The rightmost image was generated using Dual-Read-Rolling-Shutter mode in addition to HCG. DRRS mode delivers a pair of images. The first contains the imaging signal together with the embedded noise. The second contains just the noise components. The camera designer can subtract the latter from the former to deliver a synthesized image with approximately 3/4 of the noise eliminated.

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Alvium’s SWaP+C characteristics ideal for OEM systems

With small Size, low Weight, low Power requirements, and low Cost, Alvium SWIR cameras fit the SWaP+C requirements. OEM system builders need or value each of those characteristics to build cost-effective embedded and machine vision systems.