InfraRED Camera

By measuring the time of flight (ToF) of light, it is possible to determine the distance values at pixel level between the individual pixels and the object. Thereby, the 3D information is generated without any detours in real time. The best-known ToF technology is known as PMD (Photonic Mixer Device).

The PMD time-of-flight technology ensures detection of scenes and objects with just one image capture of 23,232 pixels in three dimensions and without motion blur. The scene is illuminated by modulated, invisible infrared light and the reflected light hits the PMD sensor.

LiDAR

The LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) laser measurement technology offers solutions for a wide range of applications. The two- or more-dimension contour data recorded can be processed both internally and externally. The technology is ideal for indoor and outdoor applications, for example anti-collision in ports, classification in traffic, detection in building automation, or position evaluation in navigation, 3D LiDAR sensors (3D laser scanners as well) detect their environment nearly gap-free, regardless of whether the objects move or not. That is why 3D LiDAR sensors are ideally suited for tasks such as collision protection on automated vehicles or the scanning of objects.

Millimetre wave radar

MmWave is a sensing technology for detection of objects and providing the range, velocity and angle of these objects. It is a contactless-technology which operates in the spectrum between 30 GHz - 300 GHz. Due to the technology’s use of small wavelengths it can provide sub-mm range accuracy and is able to penetrate certain materials such as plastic, drywall, clothing, and is impervious to environmental conditions such as rain, fog, dust and snow.

Radar

RADAR stands for RAdio Detecting And Ranging and as indicated by the name, it is based on the use of radio waves. Radars send out electromagnetic waves similar to wireless computer networks and mobile phones. The signals are sent out as short pulses which may be reflected by objects in their path, in part reflecting back to the radar.

When these pulses intercept precipitation, part of the energy is scattered back to the radar. This concept is similar to hearing an echo. For example, when you shout into a well, the sound waves of your shout reflect off the water and back up to you.

RFID

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is the wireless non-contact use of radio frequency waves to transfer data. Tagging items with RFID tags allows users to automatically and uniquely identify and track inventory and assets. RFID takes auto-ID technology to the next level by allowing tags to be read without line of sight and, depending on the type of RFID, having a read range between a few centimeters to over 20+ meters.

RFID has come a long way from its first application of identifying airplanes as friend or foe in World War II. Not only does the technology continue to improve year over year, but the cost of implementing and using an RFID system continues to decrease, making RFID more cost-effective and

Spectral

In Hyperspectral imaging (HSI), unique color signatures of individual objects can be detected. Unlike optical technologies that can only detect a single color, HSI distinguishes the full color spectrum in each pixel, providing spectral information in addition to 2D spatial images. HSI uses multiple bands across the electromagnetic spectrum including infrared, visible spectrum, ultraviolet, x-rays, or a combination of the above. It may include the acquisition of image data in visible and non-visible bands simultaneously, illumination from outside the visible range, or the use of optical filters to capture a specific spectral range. It is also possible to capture hundreds of wavelength bands for each pixel in an image

Camera

Cameras are equipped with advanced systems that help users capture any moment with increased accuracy, even under less-than-ideal lighting conditions. The RGB sensor is the metering sensor that helps the camera analyse the scene being captured and determines the amount of light needed to produce a well-exposed image.

To capture a high quality image even in scenes with poor lighting, the RGB sensor works together with a diffractive optical element, a special filter that separates light into different wavelengths and projects a clear image onto the sensor.

Thermal Imaging Camera

There are infrared cameras available with special detectors for the SWIR, MWIR and LWIR bands. Each one of these cameras have their own special applications that they are good for. The majority of all thermal cameras sold and used today, operate in the LWIR band. These LWIR detectors are also called micro-bolometer detectors, or short µbolo.

These detectors actually do not measure photons. Instead, they convert infrared radiation to a change in electrical resistance in their detector elements.Thermal Infrared Imaging Cameras do not rely on external illumination. They can “see” heat and can be very useful wherever non-contact temperature measurements are of interest.