SWIR for Firefighting

In the chaos of a fire, every second counts—but smoke can blind even the most experienced firefighters. Traditional visible light cameras struggle in dense smoke, haze, or dust, leaving first responders at a disadvantage when they need clarity the most. Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) imaging emerges as a game-changing solution, offering unparalleled visibility in the most challenging firefighting environments.

Why Visibility is Critical in Firefighting Environments

Firefighting and emergency response operations take place in highly dynamic and visually complex environments. First responders must operate in conditions where visibility is significantly degraded by:

• Smoke
• Haze
• Water spray
• Dust and airborne particles

These factors reduce contrast and obscure critical scene details, making it difficult to assess situations accurately using conventional visible imaging systems.

SWIR for Firefighting: How SWIR Imaging Enhances Firefighter Situational Awareness

SWIR sensors and cameras provide an additional imaging capability that supports visibility through obscurants and improved scene understanding.

Operating in a reflective imaging regime, SWIR enables:

Improved visibility through smoke vs visible imaging

SWIR wavelengths are less affected by scattering from smoke and airborne particles,allowing better perception of people and structures.

When combined with active illumination, SWIR enables consistent imaging across varying lighting conditions using a single sensor.

Detection of the “seat of the fire” (above 300°C)

While thermal imaging highlights heat signatures, SWIR can contribute to identifying regions of intense combustion while preserving contextual detail.

Structural Information for Safer Operations

Unlike thermal imaging alone, SWIR can reveal edges, structural outlines, and surface features, supporting better interpretation of the environment.

SWIR Firefighting Applications: UAV and Handheld use cases

Situational Awareness

Mounted on UAVs or handheld systems, SWIR imaging supports real-time visibility in smoke-filled environments, helping teams better understand scene layout and hazards.

Search & Rescue

Improved contrast through obscurants can assist in locating individuals in complex environments where visibility is otherwise limited.

Structural Assessment

SWIR imaging can reveal building structure and features, supporting safer navigation and post-fire evaluation.

SWIR for Firefighting vs. Thermal Imaging:

Complementary Technologies for First Responders

Thermal Imaging: The Heat Detective

• Pros: Thermal imaging remains essential for detecting heat signatures and identifying hot spots.
• Cons: it provides limited structural context in certain scenarios.

SWIR Imaging: The Context Provider

SWIR solutions complement thermal systems by delivering:

• Shape and structural information
• Surface and material visibility
• Improved scene context

This combination enables responders to see both heat and environment, improving overall decision-making.

Why Use Both?

High-Performance SWIR Solutions for Integration

NIT offers SWIR sensors and cameras designed for integration into UAV platforms and portable systems:

Resolution, Dynamic Range and Sensitivity

• Resolution from qVGA to Full HD
• High dynamic range up to 120 dB – no saturation – unique on the market
• High sensitivity for challenging view conditions

Form Factors for Every Need

• Sensor-level
• Board-level
• Camera modules (with or without housing)

Standard Interfaces for Seamless Integration

• USB3.0
• CameraLink
• HD-SDI

SWIR for Firefighting Test – Illustrative example: SWIR imaging of a scene demonstrating improved visibility through smoke. Shot by WiDy SenS 640

See through smoke Visible vs SWIR (Passive mode) Environment: Dense smoke ( water-based smoke)

See through smoke Visible vs SWIR (Gated mode) Environment: Dense smoke (smoke bomb)

Watch the video

Fire dectection – Visible vs SWIR

Test 1:

• Visibility in the SWIR band is almost unafected by smoke
• Working in the higher part of the spectrum (eg. 1550nm) allows for a slightly sharper image
• If additional lighting is required, working at 1550nm will give great results. Illuminators at this wavelength are widely commercially available

Test 2:

• SWIR wavelengths allow detection of radiated heat at much lower temperatures than visible
• Logarithmic (LOG) mode mode allows a clear vision of the fire house without saturation

Test 3:

Fire detection – SWIR see through glass

Read See through smoke/ Fire Detection SWIR vs. Visible

Conclusion

Firefighting operations require more than heat detection—they demand clear understanding of the environment.

NIT’s SWIR solutions help responders see context, not just heat, improving situational awareness and operational efficiency in challenging conditions.

Explore NIT’s SWIR solutions today or contact us to learn how SWIR can transform your operations.

The Challenge of Détection and Identifying Small Drones

The rapid adoption of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) across both commercial and non-cooperative applications has significantly increased the need for effective counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions.

However, detecting and identifying small drones remains a complex task. These platforms typically present:

• Low radar cross-section (RCS), making them difficult to track
• Low contrast targets, especially against bright or cluttered sky backgrounds
• Operation in complex environments, including urban areas and degraded visibility conditions

While multiple sensing modalities are often combined in C-UAS architectures, achieving reliable identification – not just detection – remains a key challenge.

SWIR Solutions as a Complementary Sensing Layer

SWIR sensors and cameras are increasingly integrated as a complementary imaging layer within C-UAS systems, alongside radar, visible, and thermal technologies.

Operating in a reflective imaging regime, SWIR shares similarities with visible imaging while offering enhanced performance in conditions where standard cameras are limited.

Key Advantages of SWIR Solutions for Counter-UAS

• Better contrast against sky in certain lighting conditions
  SWIR sensors can improve the visibility of drones against bright or hazy skies, where visible imaging often struggles with low contrast.
• Material reflectivity differences
  Drone components such as plastics, composites, and coatings exhibit distinct reflectivity in the SWIR band, enabling improved target differentiation and supporting identification.
• Reduced atmospheric scattering vs visible
  SWIR wavelengths are less affected by haze and atmospheric effects, helping maintain image clarity in degraded environments and at longer stand-off distances.

Extending Capabilities with Gated SWIR Imaging

SWIR solutions can be combined with gated imaging techniques to further enhance detection and identification capabilities.

By leveraging very short exposure times synchronized with active illumination, gated SWIR imaging enables the selective acquisition of reflected light from a defined distance range. This allows the system to suppress background and focus on targets of interest.

This approach supports:

• Day/night operation and all-weather capability using a single sensor
• Improved identification through enhanced target visibility
• Target discrimination in cluttered scenes
• Extended observation range with improved scene clarity

Illustrative example: gated SWIR imaging can reveal the structure of a drone at a distance, improving identification compared to conventional imaging approaches.

SWIR Image shot with WiDy SenS 640

Video demo

Positioning vs Thermal Imaging in Counter-UAS system

Thermal imaging remains a key technology for detecting heat signatures and is often used as a detection channel, or complemented by radar or acoustic solutions in C-UAS systems.

SWIR solutions provide a different type of information:

Thermal imaging

• Detection of heat signatures
• Effective for initial detection
• Limited structural detail in certain scenarios

SWIR imaging

• Captures reflected light
• Provides shape, structure, and reflective features
• Supports improved identification and classification

Rather than replacing thermal imaging, SWIR acts as a complementary layer, particularly valuable when moving from detection to identification.

Supporting Identification in Complex Environments for Counter-UAS

C-UAS systems must operate across a wide range of conditions, including:

• Bright daylight with complex backgrounds
• Degraded visibility due to haze or atmospheric effects
• Long stand-off distances
• Cluttered scene environments

In these scenarios, SWIR solutions help maintain target contrast and clarity, enabling more reliable identification and decision-making.

NIT’s High-Performance SWIR Solutions for Integration

NIT develops high-performance SWIR sensors and cameras designed for integration into unmanned systems and security platforms.

Key features include:

• Resolution from qVGA to Full HD
• Very short exposure times down to 100 ns, enabling gated imaging
• High dynamic range up to 120 dB for challenging lighting conditions
• High sensitivity, supporting imaging in low-signal environments

To meet different integration requirements, NIT’s SWIR solutions are available in multiple formats:

• Sensor-level
• Board-level
• Camera modules (with or without housing)

A range of standard interfaces ensures compatibility with existing systems:

• USB3.0
• CameraLink
• HD-SDI
• GigE
• Analog
• Conclusion

As counter-UAS requirements continue to evolve, the ability to move beyond detection toward reliable identification is becoming increasingly important.

NIT’s SWIR solutions provide a valuable complementary imaging capability, offering enhanced contrast, reduced sensitivity to atmospheric effects, and access to structural and material information.

By integrating SWIR into multi-sensor architectures, system designers can strengthen identification performance—particularly in scenarios where traditional sensing technologies struggle.

SWIR for SATCOM: Enabling Free-Space Optical Communication in New Space

The rapid expansion of satellite communications is driving a shift toward optical (laser-based) communication systems, where Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) technologies are emerging as a key enabler. As New Space ecosystems accelerate—particularly in Low Earth Orbit—SWIR sensors are increasingly deployed to support high-speed, secure, and reliable data transmission.

SWIR for SATCOM: at the Core of Free-Space Optical Communication

SWIR imaging plays a critical role in Free-space optical communication systems. Unlike traditional RF communications, FSO relies on laser beams to transmit data between satellites or between satellites and ground stations.

In this context, SWIR sensors enable:

• Precise beam detection and tracking
• Accurate alignment of optical links
• Reliable signal acquisition in dynamic environments

These capabilities are essential for maintaining stable, high-bandwidth communication links in space.

SWIR for SATCOM: Why 1.55 µm is the Preferred Wavelength

The 1.55 µm wavelength has become the standard for SATCOM optical systems due to several advantages:

• Excellent atmospheric transmission
• Compatibility with existing laser technologies
• Eye safety for ground-based operations

SWIR sensors optimized for this wavelength provide the performance required for long-distance, high data-rate communications.

LEO Constellations Driving SWIR Adoption

The rise of large-scale satellite constellations in Low Earth Orbit is reshaping the SATCOM landscape. These systems require:

• Compact, lightweight payloads
• Low power consumption
• Cost-effective, scalable components

This shift is accelerating demand for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) SWIR solutions, capable of meeting performance requirements while remaining economically viable.

SWIR for SATCOM: NIT Developments

New Imaging Technologies (NIT), part of LYNRED is actively contributing to this evolution by developing SWIR solutions tailored for optical communication applications.

NIT technologies have already been implemented in:

• Aerial free-space laser communication systems
• Demonstrators targeting LEO environments

In parallel, NIT has initiated space qualification programs for its SWIR sensors. Early results show:

• Stable behavior of the ROIC (Read-Out Integrated Circuit) under radiation
• Reliable performance of detectors based on Indium Gallium Arsenide

SWIR for SATCOM: NIT SWIR Cameras

To support SATCOM and FSO applications, NIT offers high-performance SWIR cameras designed for precision and speed:

WiDy SenS 320 – High-Speed SWIR Camera

• High frame rates for real-time beam tracking
• Optimized for dynamic optical communication systems
• Compact and efficient for embedded platforms

SenS 1920 – Full HD SWIR Camera

• High-resolution for signal monitoring and diagnostics
• High-sensitivity for low-light detection
• Suitable for long-range optical link analysis

Conclusion: SWIR Enabling the Future of Optical SATCOM

As satellite communications transition toward laser-based systems, SWIR technologies are becoming indispensable. Their ability to deliver precision, sensitivity, and reliability makes them ideal for the demands of modern SATCOM—especially in LEO constellations.

With ongoing advancements in sensor performance and space qualification, New Imaging Technologies supports the next generation of free-space optical communication systems.

SWIR updates for April introduction

New Imaging Technologies (NIT) continues to expand its SWIR offering this April, combining product innovation with enhanced tools for system integration.

Throughout the month, NIT will engage with industry professionals at key international events while showcasing its latest high-performance SWIR sensors and cameras, including solutions with up to Full HD resolution and advanced line-scan capabilities. These SWIR solutions are designed to meet the growing demands of industrial, scientific, and defense applications.

SWIR updates – NIT camera portfolio:

1. High-performance SWIR sensors & cameras (up to Full HD)
2. Line-scan SWIR cameras for high-speed inspection (including NEW rectangular-pixel variant for improved measurement precision)

April’s event highlights:

Throughout the month, our team will be actively engaging with industry professionals across key international gatherings:

SPIE Photonics Europe – Strasbourg, France (14–15 April 2026)

In Europe, our sales leadership team—including our Director of Sales, Régis Tulaza, and Sales Area Manager, Martin du Tertre will be available at Booth 208 to discuss how our SWIR solutions can address your specific needs.

Book your appointment

SPIE Defense + Security | National Harbor, MD, USA | 28–30 April 2026

In the United States, our General Manager, François Coursaget, will represent our SWIR activities within the LYNRED team at the LYNRED USA booth. A dedicated presentation on recent advances in SWIR sensor technology will also be delivered, offering insights into our ongoing innovation efforts.

• • 27 April 2026 • 8:50 AM – 9:10 AM – Conference Presentation – “Recent advances in SWIR sensors by NIT”

  • 28-30 April 2026 – Exhibition – LYNRED USA Booth 503 – LYNRED’s program details

Whether you are exploring new imaging capabilities or optimizing existing systems, our team remains committed to supporting your projects with cutting-edge SWIR technology.

If you would like to schedule a dedicated discussion or learn more about our solutions, feel free to get in touch.

NIT’s camera CAD models now available

NIT is pleased to introduce a new resource designed to support engineers and integrators

3D STEP files for NIT’s SWIR cameras are now accessible via the Download page, enabling faster and more efficient system development.

The files cover a range of NIT’s camera platforms, including high-performance and line-scan SWIR solutions and CMOS models.

SWIR Drone-Based Inspection Introduction

As solar farms scale worldwide, operators are seeking faster, more reliable inspection methods to maximize energy output and reduce maintenance costs. Traditional inspection methods, based on visible or thermal imaging, often fail to detect early-stage defects. Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) imaging integrated on drones is emerging as a powerful solution for advanced solar panel inspection, enabling the detection of defects invisible to conventional visible or thermal imaging.

Why Traditional Inspection Methods Fall Short

Conventional inspection technologies have clear limitations. Visible imaging depends heavily on lighting conditions and cannot reveal subsurface defects. Thermal imaging, while useful for identifying hotspots, typically detects issues only after they have already affected performance.

As a result, many critical defects—such as micro-cracks, early delamination, or moisture ingress—remain undetected during routine inspections. This can lead to reduced energy output, unexpected failures, and increased maintenance costs.

High-Performance InGaAs SWIR Solutions for Aerial PV Monitoring

New Imaging Technologies (NIT), part of LYNRED, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance SWIR InGaAs sensors and cameras, supports this application with a complete range of lightweight, high-resolution SWIR imaging solutions optimized for UAV integration.

Why SWIR Drone-Based Inspection for Solar Panel Farm?

SWIR imaging (typically 900–1700 nm) offers unique advantages for photovoltaic inspection:

• Detection of micro-cracks and cell damage not visible in the visible spectrum
• Identification of moisture ingress, delamination, and material inconsistencies
• Inspection under variable illumination conditions, including low light and partial shading
• Non-contact, fast aerial inspection of large solar farms

Compared to thermal imaging, SWIR enables earlier defect detection and greater spatial detail, making it ideal for preventive maintenance strategies.

SWIR Drone-Based Inspection: Key Benefits

When combined with UAV platforms, SWIR imaging becomes even more powerful. Drone-based inspection offers:

• Rapid coverage of large solar installations
• Reduced downtime and operational costs
• High spatial resolution defect localization
• Improved imaging data quality for AI-based analysis

NIT’s compact and low-power SWIR solutions are specifically designed to meet the SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) constraints of drone platforms.

NIT’s SWIR Product Portfolio for UAV Solar Inspection

High-Resolution SWIR Cameras

For turnkey inspection systems, NIT offers:

• High-resolution SWIR cameras up to Full HD
• Robust industrial interfaces (CameraLink, USB, GigE, depending on model)
• High dynamic range and low readout noise
• Suitable for R&D, pilot projects, and operational deployments

SenS 1920

Board-Level & Naked SWIR Modules

For tight UAV integrations, NIT provides:

• Naked sensor modules and board-level SWIR cameras
• Lightweight and compact form factors
• Easy integration into custom gimbals or payloads
• Optimized for embedded vision and aerial platforms

WiDy SenS 640/ WiDy NaNo 640

SWIR InGaAs Sensors

NIT designs and manufactures high-performance InGaAs SWIR sensors, offering:

• Resolutions up to Full HD (1920 × 1080)
• Low noise and high sensitivity
• Excellent uniformity and stability
• Ideal for OEM drone payload developers

SWIR Sensor NSC1601

SWIR Drone-Based Inspection: Enabling the Next Generation of Solar Farm Monitoring

The integration of SWIR imaging into drone inspection workflows opens the door to data-driven solar asset management. High-quality SWIR data can be combined with analytics and AI tools to automate defect detection, prioritize maintenance, and optimize system performance.

As solar farms continue to grow in scale and complexity, the need for accurate, efficient, and scalable inspection technologies will only increase. SWIR drone imaging stands out as a future-proof solution that delivers both precision and operational efficiency.

By combining SWIR imaging and drone technology, solar operators gain access to more precise diagnostics, earlier fault detection, and higher inspection efficiency.

With its complete portfolio of SWIR sensors, modules, and cameras, NIT supports UAV manufacturers, system integrators, and solar inspection specialists in deploying reliable, high-performance aerial inspection solutions.

Introduction

New Imaging Technologies (NIT), a LYNRED company, announces that theLiSa SWIR 2048R M-STE2 is now available for order. The camera was first presented at SPIE Photonics West 2026 and is now ready for commercial deployment.

Rectangular-Pixel SWIR Camera

The LiSa SWIR 2048R is a rectangular-pixel SWIR camera optimized for Spectroscopy and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Based on the proven LiSa SWIR 2048 v2 platform, it features a rectangular pixel format (8 × 200 µm) designed for spectroscopic and line-scan optical architectures, enabling efficient light collection and high signal performance in demanding applications.

The LiSa SWIR camera family also includes the LiSa SWIR 2048 standard version, a line-scan SWIR camera widely used in industrial inspection applications such as material sorting, semiconductor inspection, and quality control, where reliability, sensitivity, and robustness are critical.

With the commercial availability of theLiSa SWIR 2048R, NIT further expands its LiSa SWIR portfolio, offering tailored SWIR camera solutions forindustrial, scientific, and medical instrument manufacturers.

For ordering information or technical details, don’t hesitate to get in touch with NIT