SVS-Vistek Launches the World's Fastest High-Resolution SWIR Cameras for Industrial Imaging

­The newest additions to SVS-Vistek's FXO Series of machine vision cameras, the fxo992 and fxo993, are the fastest high-resolution SWIR (Shortwave Infrared) cameras available for industrial inspection on the market. Combining advanced image sensors with high-speed interfaces results in frames-per-second rates of 132.6fps @ 5.2MP for the fxo992 and 173.4fps @ 3.1MP for the fxo993 cameras.

Equipped with either 10GigE Vision or CoaXPress-12 interfaces, the cameras leverage Sony® IMX992 and IMX993 InGaAs SenSWIR sensors boasting the industry's highest megapixel classes for SWIR sensors: 5.2MP (fxo992) and 3.1MP (fxo993). Applying a C-mount lens design to the Sony sensor's 3.45-μm pixel empowers these cameras to acquire vivid images even of tiny subjects, significantly improving the precision of inspection and measurement applications using SWIR-range light. 

High-speed imaging in the SWIR electromagnetic waveband offers numerous advantages for inspection tasks requiring visualization beyond the range of the human eye, generally considered to be between 400 to 700 nanometers (nm). When interacting with various materials, SWIR light behaves differently physically than visible light. Photons of light interact with molecules in organic and inorganic materials where they can be absorbed, allowing infrared light to travel deeper into the material. 

Simultaneous SWIR and Visible Imaging

An extended wavelength range of 400-1700 nm enables fxo992 and fxo993 cameras to bridge the gap between visible and non-visible imaging applications. Because they can simultaneously record SWIR and visible images, they eliminate the need for dual camera setups. SVS-Vistek fxo992 and fxo993 cameras are ideal alternatives for challenging applications that cannot be inspected using conventional visible light cameras. These include the quality control of semiconductors, such as subsurface inspection, content inspection of opaque containers, determining substances and detecting foreign material contamination, as well as the inspection and control of coatings, monitoring conditions in agriculture and the food industry, and the detecting and localizing of liquid content.

Technological advancement integrated into SVS-Vistek fxo992 and fxo993 cameras give manufacturers the potential to speed up production processes, thereby improving operational efficiency and yields. Highlights of the feature-set are an integrated Multichannel Strobe Controller, high quantum efficiency for exceptional sensitivity, and the GenICam interface for simplified configuration and associated transport layer for reliable image capture. Additionally, camera firmware provides image optimization functions such as defect pixel correction and two-point Non Uniformity Correction. 

TEC and Non-TEC Cooling Option

Available with or without thermoelectric cooling (TEC), both camera models have a thermo-mechanically optimized design measuring just 50mm x 50mm (WxH) and a maximum length of 82.8mm, so their footprint remains compact even with the additional sensor temperature stabilization. 

TEC uses the Peltier effect to transfer heat away from electronic components, especially sensors. By stabilizing the sensor temperature, the dark current is reduced, resulting in an improved and reproducible image quality.

SVS-Vistek offers lenses, cables, and lighting suitable for FXO SWIR models to achieve the construction of reliable image processing systems. Learn more here.