SWIR Cameras for Ground-Based Laser Communication: Clearer Signals, Even in Harsh Conditions

Ground-based laser communication systems are key to enabling ultra-fast, high-bandwidth data transmission between fixed stations, satellites, or mobile units. However, ensuring signal stability and precision in these systems is far from simple.

Ground-based Laser Communication Challenges:

They face several challenges:

• Atmospheric interference from fog, haze, smoke, or dust can scatter or block laser beams.
• Variable lighting conditions, including day-night transitions and background glare, can affect beam detection.
• Beam alignment and tracking require real-time, high-precision monitoring, often at long distances.
• Security and reliability demand clear, uninterrupted optical paths.

SWIR imaging (Short-Wave Infrared) provides a powerful solution to these issues. Unlike visible-light systems, SWIR cameras can “see” through challenging atmospheric conditions, offering higher contrast and better beam visibility. SWIR also enables covert operation, as many laser wavelengths used in telecom fall within the SWIR band.

Recommended SWIR Cameras for Laser Communication:

• SenS 1920: A Full HD, high-sensitivity SWIR camera, very low-noise of 25e-delivering exceptional image quality in degraded conditions—ideal for long-range beam profiling and precision tracking.
• WiDy SenS 320: A compact, high-speed QVGA SWIR camera, 1kHz Full frame, 10kHz (ROI), Ultra-short exposure times down to 10 µs, even 1µs in option. It is ideal for systems operating in rapidly changing lighting conditions.

From optical alignment to atmospheric monitoring, NIT SWIR cameras provide the performance and reliability required to keep ground-based laser communication systems operating at their best, regardless of weather conditions.

New Imaging Technologies (NIT), part of LYNRED, designs and manufactures advanced SWIR InGaAs sensors and cameras in France, tailored for demanding applications like laser communication.

New Imaging Technologies (NIT) announces the release of the WiDy SenS 320 SWIR camera with GigE interface, offering increased flexibility for system integrators across industrial, scientific, and laser imaging markets.

Designed and manufactured in France, this compact, robust SWIR camera is built around NIT’s patented dual-response InGaAs sensor (Linear & Logarithmic), providing unmatched dynamic range performance. The WiDy SenS 320 is engineered for high-speed imaging, delivering full-frame rates of up to 1 kHz and 10 kHz in ROI mode, making it ideal for capturing fast laser pulses or monitoring dynamic laser-based processes.

Key Features:

• 320×256 pixels resolution @ 15µm pixel pitch
• Frame rates up to 1kHz full-frame, and 10kHz in ROI mode
• Ultra-short exposure times down to 10 µs, even 1µs in option
• Dual-mode sensor: Logarithmic for high dynamic range, Linear for low noise
• Easy integration

Applications:

Thanks to its high frame rate, short integration time, and high dynamic range, the WiDy SenS 320 is an excellent solution for:

• Laser beam profiling
• Active alignment and calibration
• Monitoring laser welding, cutting, hot glass, foundries,…
• Short-pulse laser capture in R&D and industrial setups

Optional Accessories & Custom Variants:

OEM configurations: open frame housing, sensor without cover glass, sensor board flex extension, and more.

With the new GigE interface, the WiDy SenS 320 ensures seamless integration into existing imaging systems, making it a powerful and cost-effective SWIR camera for demanding industrial applications.

New Imaging Technologies (NIT) introduces the SenS 1920 L-ST, a high-performance SWIR camera designed for easy integration into industrial and surveillance systems. This model features a CameraLink interface via High-Speed Samtec LSHM connector, offering maximum flexibility for OEMs and system integrators. This interface allows system integrators to benefit from a well-known and reliable CameraLink interface without bulky standard connectors and cables. (Flexible stacking board-to-board connectors) 

With Full HD resolution (1920×1080 pixels) at 8 µm pixel pitch, the SenS 1920 delivers sharp and detailed SWIR images. The camera also ensures high sensitivity and low noise (25e⁻), making it ideal for demanding applications that require precise imaging performance. 

The SenS 1920 (L-ST) is suited for: 

• Industrial inspection (semiconductors, wafers, solar panels, etc.) 

• Surveillance and Defense systems (Gimbal, UAVs, etc.) 

• Scientific imaging 

In addition to the SenS 1920, NIT offers other SWIR cameras in OEM version, including: 

• SenS 1280 for HD resolution SWIR applications 

• WiDy SenS 640 for VGA HDR & High Sensitivity imaging 

All cameras are built around NIT’s in-house designed InGaAs SWIR sensors, manufactured in France, ensuring full control over performance, quality, and customization options. NIT supports OEMs with tailored solutions to meet specific integration needs. 

New Imaging Technologies (NIT) announces the release of its latest SWIR InGaAs line scan sensor, the NSC2301, designed for demanding industrial inspection applications. With advanced features and performance, this new sensor sets a benchmark in SWIR imaging for production environments.

Key features

• 0.9µm to 1.7µm spectrum
• 2048x1px @8µm pixel pitch
• 90e- readout noise
• Line rate >80kHz @ 2048 pixel resolution
• Single stage TEC cooling
• Configurable exposure times
• ITR & IWR readout modes

The NSC2301 features a 2048 x 1 resolution with an 8 µm pixel pitch, delivering sharp, detailed line-scan imaging. The size format is best suited to fit standard 1.1’’ optical format optics. This SWIR line-scan sensor supports line rates over 80 kHz, making it ideal for fast-moving inspection tasks. With configurable exposure times and both ITR (Integration Then Read) and IWR (Integration While Read) readout modes, the sensor offers unmatched adaptability for various lighting and motion conditions.

Thanks to its 3 gains available, the NSC2301 provides the perfect combination of High Sensitivity (read out noise 90e- in High Gain) and High Dynamic Range, crucial for imaging challenging materials or capturing subtle defects in high-speed production lines.

This new sensor expands NIT’s proprietary SWIR sensor portfolio and will be officially introduced at Laser World of Photonics 2025 in Munich.

Applications

Typical use cases for the NSC2301 include silicon wafer inspection, solar panel inspection, hot glass quality control, waste sorting, and optical coherence tomography, especially where high-resolution and high-speed line-scan imaging is critical.

Camera

Complementing the launch of the sensor, NIT will release LiSaSWIR v2, a high-performance camera integrating the NSC2301, in late summer. The camera will feature Smart CameraLink for fast data transmission and plug-and-play integration.

With the NSC2301, NIT continues its mission of delivering cutting-edge SWIR imaging technology, developed and produced in-house.

 

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LYNRED – NIT unveils High-Performance SWIR LineScan Camera, LiSaSWIR

 

New Imaging Technologies (NIT) is pleased to share an impressive video from a recent long-range imaging demonstration using our SenS 1920 Full-HD SWIR camera. This test highlights its capabilities in extreme observation scenarios, spanning distances up to 84 kilometers, under atmospheric conditions including high aerosol concentration.

High Resolution, High Sensitivity for Zoom SWIR Imaging

The SenS 1920 features a Full HD 1920×1080 pixel InGaAs sensor with an 8 µm pixel pitch, optimized for long-range observation with enhanced spatial resolution and scene coverage. Its very-low readout noise of 25e⁻ delivers excellent signal-to-noise ratio and contrast, even in scenarios with substantial atmospheric interference such as scattering from aerosols or humidity.

Test Configuration

Camera: SenS 1920 SWIR Camera

• Resolution: Full HD 1920×1080 pixels @ 8 µm pixel pitch
• Readout noise: 25e⁻ (very-low noise)

Lenses Used:

• Kowa 25–300mm f/2.8 Zoom (LMZ25300M3P-SW)
• Modified Vixen Cassegrain 1800mm f/9 Telescope

Location: the Bellevue Belvedere, France

Time: March 14, 2025

Imaging was performed on the following distant targets:

• Primarette radio tower – 51.2 km
• Wind turbines at Grand Bœuf – 61.8 km (a challenging scene due to dense valley aerosols)
• TDF Mont Pilat tower – 84 km

Despite heavy aerosol concentration, the SenS 1920 SWIR camera was able to resolve fine image details, including:

• Clear fine image details like wind turbine blade rotation,
• Distinct structural and natural features at long distances
• High contrast and clarity on targets

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• High-Resolution SWIR Imaging for Long-Range Applications

Optimized for Long-Range SWIR Imaging Applications

Thanks to its format, the SenS 1920 provides a broader field-of-view at the same focal length compared to smaller-format SWIR sensors. Benefits:

• Wider field-of-view without sacrificing resolution,
• Improved scene coverage for surveillance,
• Better long-range object detection and identification.

This makes the SenS 1920 an excellent choice for high-end SWIR imaging applications such as defense payloads, border monitoring, and maritime surveillance.

New Imaging Technologies (NIT) announces the release of the SenS 1920 CameraLink, now available for purchase starting May 2025. This Full HD SWIR camera delivers exceptional image quality and low noise performance, now with CameraLink interface support to provide enhanced integration and greater flexibility in industrial and defense applications. 

Designed for versatility and performance, the SenS 1920 CameraLink is built around NIT’s proven SWIR sensor technology, offering: 

Key Features: 

• Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels 

• Pixel Pitch: 8 μm 

• Wavelength Range: 900 nm to 1700 nm 

• Read-out Noise: 25e⁻ 

• Dynamic Range: 64 dB 

• ROI available 

• Interface: CameraLink 

• Also available in USB 3.0 

Designed for: 

• Defense and surveillance systems requiring compact, high-resolution SWIR imaging 

• Semiconductor inspection, wafer analysis, and solar panel quality control 

• System integrators looking for reliable SWIR modules for custom setups 

• Research laboratories conducting advanced optical or material studies 

Watch SenS 1920’s Long-range demo video 

With the addition of the CameraLink version, the SenS 1920 offers more options to meet specific integration needs—ideal for custom long-range surveillance imaging setups and automated inspection systems.