Q1 : What are the advantages of the SWIR1503BU-DC camera in the NIR-II imaging range?

The SWIR1503BU-DC camera has a spectral range of 900nm-1700nm, fully covering the NIR-II region (usually 900-1700 nm). It features a 640×512 resolution, 15μm large pixels, and deep cooling down to -50℃, making it suitable for applications in life sciences, such as small animal near-infrared fluorescence imaging, deep tissue structure observation, and NIR-II probe detection.

Q2 : SWIR1503BU-DC and the same series – Core differences in the -20℃ cooled models?

Cooling limits: This machine goes down to -50°C, while the regular B series only reaches -20°C. The difference in dark current is noticeable, so weak fluorescence imaging performance also varies a lot. Application focus: This machine is mainly for life sciences and ultra-low-light research, while the standard SWIR1503B series cameras are more suited for industrial sorting and general spectroscopy experiments. Power supply: This machine uses a dedicated 19V high-power power supply, whereas regular models use 12V. It’s also bigger and heavier, with an enhanced cooling design to support deep cooling.

Q3 : How can dark field correction and hardware external triggering be called through the SDK code?

Dark Frame Correction: First, collect multiple sets of dark frames in AttosView and store them in the camera hardware. Then, the SDK can call the corresponding interface to load them with one click, eliminating fixed noise during long exposures at –50°C; External Trigger: The SDK allows you to customize trigger delays and the number of continuous frames, syncing precisely with the sample stage and light source timing, making it suitable for automated biological experiment workflows.

0.33 MP 15 μm Pixels -50°C Cooled 900-1700nm SWIR Camera

Overview

Specification

Dimensions & Pin

Triggering(I/O Interface)

Software

Features

FAQ

Feedback

SWIR1503BU-DC SWIR cameras

The SWIR1503BU-DC shortwave infrared camera has a spectral response range of 900–1700 nm and comes with a 640×512 (0.33 MP) resolution sensor with a pixel size of 15 µm × 15 µm, using a standard C-mount optical design. It offers high sensitivity and low readout noise, and with TEC cooling to suppress dark current, it delivers excellent contrast and rich image details even in low-light conditions.

Features

The spectral response range covers 900–1700 nm.

640×512 resolution，15 μm pixel size

Global shutter, high-speed acquisition

Hardware ROI & external triggering

512MB cache Model-Dependent

CE/FCC Cerifcation，Multi-platform SDK

Software

AttosView supports Windows® 7 (64-bit),10 and 11 operating systems.
The SDK supports development languages such as C/C++, C #/VB.net, Python, Java, etc,
Third-party support including LabVIEW, MATLAB, Micro-Manager, DirectShow, and TWAIN.

Images acquired by the SWIR camera

The SWIR1503DU-DC short-wave infrared camera is widely used in life sciences and materials science. In life sciences, it can do near-infrared fluorescence imaging of small animals, observe deep tissue structures, and detect NIR-II probes. It's also useful in brain science research for imaging deep brain tissues, monitoring neural activity, and analyzing blood vessels and hemodynamics. For materials characterization, it's suitable for detecting semiconductor defects and evaluating the performance of optoelectronic devices.

Common Specifications
Model	SWIR1503DU-DC
Sensor type	InGaAs CMOS
Spectral Range	900nm – 1700nm
Color Type	Monochrome
Pixel Size	15 µm x 15 µm
Sensor Size	1/2″
Frame Rate & Resolution	300 fps@640×512
Image Buffer	512MB
Conversion Gain	0.96 e-/DN (HCG),5.36 e-/DN (MCG),145 e-/DN (LCG)
Dynamic Range	55.8 dB (HCG),58.1 dB (MCG),58.3 dB (LCG)
Readout Noise	22.8 e- (HCG),106 e- (MCG),2708 e- (LCG)
Full Well Charge	14 ke- (HCG),85 ke- (MCG),2216 ke- (LCG)
Maximum SNR	41.5 dB (HCG),49.3 dB (MCG),63.4 dB (LCG)
Dark current	MCG 193.909 / HCG 630.516 / LCG 131.561;
Exposure Time Range	16µs~5s
Shutter Mode	Global shutter
Data interface	USB3.0
Digital I/O	1 channel of optically isolated input, 1 channel of optically isolated output, 2 channels of non-isolated input/output port
Data Format	8-bit / 16-bit
Cooling Temperature	-50℃ guaranteed, specified at ambient temperature of +20℃
Power Supply	19 V 4.74 A DC
Power consumption	8.4W（TEC OFF）/ <16W（TEC ON）
Operating Temperature	-30 °C to +45 °C
Storage Temperature	-40 °C to +60 °C
Humidity	0-95%
Size	137.8mm×100mm×100mm
Weight	1.31kg
Lens mount	C-mount
Software	AttosView / SDK

Quantum Efficiency Curve

SWIR1503DU-DC Refrigerated Camera Dimensions & Port

Parameter	Specification
Size	137.8mm×100mm×100mm
Mount	C mount

Item	Specification
1	DC 19V power
2	External IO connection port
3	10GigE port (developing)
4	USB3.0 port

Camera Pin Signal

Table1: USB port, GigE port, CL port refrigerated camera pin signal definitions
	Color	Pin	Signal	Description of the signal
	White	1	GDN	Direct-coupled signal ground
	Red	2	12V	12VDC power input
	Blue	3	OPTO_GND	Opto-isolated signal ground
	Yellow	4	DIR_GPIO0	Direct-coupled General Purpose I/O (Software configurable input/output) (line2)
	Black	5	DIR_GPIO1	Direct-coupled General Purpose I/O (Software configurable input/output) (line3)
	Green	6	OPTO_IN	Opto-isolated input signal (line0)
	Pink	7	OPTO_OUT	Opto-isolated output signal (line1)

I/O electrical characteristics

Opto-isolated input circuit (line0)

Logic 0 input level: 0~2.2VDC (OPTO_IN pin)
Logic 1 input level: 3.3~24VDC (OPTO_IN pin)
Maximum input current:30mA

When the input level is between 2.2V and 3.2V, the circuit operation state is uncertain, please do not let SWIR camera work within this voltage range.

Input rise delay (TDR): 6us

Input fall delay (TDF): 6us

Figure 1：Input logic levels

Opto-isolated output circuit (line1)

The opto-isolated output maximum current is 30mA.

Figure 2: Output logic levels

The electrical characteristics of the opto-isolated output (external voltage 5V, external resistor 1K) are shown in Table 2.

Table 2： Opto-isolated output signal’s electrical characteristics
Parameter name	Parameter notation	Parameter value
Output logic low	VL	742mV
Output logic high	VH	4.134V
Output rise time	TR	4us
Output fall time	TF	1.8us
Output rise delay	TDR	12us
Output fall delay	TDF	2us

The output of the corresponding output current and VL when using different voltages and resistors in externalcircuit are shown in Table 3.

Table 3：Opto-isolated output logic’s low levels parameters
External voltage	External resistor	VL	Output current
3.3V	1KΩ	510mV	2.82mA
5V	1KΩ	742mV	4.31mA
12V	2.4KΩ	795mV	4.68mA
24V	4.7KΩ	850mV	4.97mA

Input and output I/O circuit (line2/line3)

1. Line2/line3 is set as input pin
Logic 0 input level: 0~0.6VDC (DIR_GPIO0/DIR_GPIO1 pins)
Logic 1 input level: 2.0~24VDC (DIR_GPIO0/DIR_GPIO1 pins)
Maximum input current: 25mA
When the input level is between 0.6V and 2.0V, the circuit action state is uncertain, please avoid the input voltage range working in this range.

To prevent damage to the GPIO pins, please connect the pin GND first, and then input voltage to the Line2 pin.
Input rise delay (TDR): 0.02us
Input fall delay (TDF): 0.02us

2. Line2/line3 are set as output pins
The maximum current allowed through this pin is 25mA.
The external pull-up voltage is 5V, the pull-up resistor is 1KΩ, and the GPIO is configured to output the logic level and electrical characteristics as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 3: Input logic levels

Figure 4: Output logic levels

When the ambient temperature is 25 degrees Celsius, the relationship between the external voltage, resistance and low-level voltage output is shown in Table 4.

Table 4：Non-isolated output Logic’s low level parameters
External voltage	External resistor	VL(GPIO)
3.3V	1KΩ	0.11V
5V	1KΩ	0.167V
12V	2.4KΩ	0.184V
24V	4.7KΩ	0.385V

Table 5: Non-isolated output electrical characteristics
Parameter name	Parameter notation	Parameter value
Output rise time	TR	0.08us
output fall time	TF	0.02us
Output rise delay	TDR	0.1us
Output fall delay	TDF	0.04u

AttosView

AttosView support all Attostek UV-VIS and SWIR cameras, it is a professional software that integrates camera control, image acquisition and processing, image browsing and analysis functions.

AttosView has the following characteristics:

x86: XP SP3 and above; CPU support SSE2 and above
x64: Win7 and above

Introduction to SDK

ascamsdk support a variety of APIs, including: Native C/C++,.NET/C#/VB.NET, Python, Java, DirectShow, Twain, LabView, Matlab, etc. Compared with other APIs, Native C/C++ API as a low-level API is characterized by using pure C/C++ development without relying on other runtime libraries. The interface is simple and the control is flexible.

Supported SDK platforms include: Win32 and WinRT, macOS, Linux, Android.

The supported versions for Win32 are as follows:

x86: XP SP3 and above; the CPU needs to support at least the SSE2 instruction set.
x64: Win7 and above.
arm: Win10 and above.
arm64: Win10 and above.

Third-party interface software

AttosTek provides extensive third-party software support for its UV-Vis cameras and SWIR cameras, facilitating rapid integration and use in various development environments. This includes SDK and demo programs for LabVIEW and MATLAB, as well as DirectShow drivers, Micromanager, and TWAIN SDK drivers. These features enable seamless compatibility with mainstream development environments and third-party software, greatly simplifying the workflow for system integration and secondary development.

AttosView

Support all Attostek UV-VIS and SWIR cameras.

Click the button below to download the AttosView software.

Download

SDK

Support a variety of APIs.

Click the button below to download the SDK.

Download

Third-Party Software

DirectShow Driver:

Download

Micromanager Driver:

Download

TWAIN SDK Driver:

Download

Recommended PC Configuration

AttosView Recommended System Requirements
Operating System	Microsoft® Windows® XP / Vista / 7 / 8 /10 /11(32 & 64 bit), Mac OSX, Linux
Processor (CPU)	≥3.0 GHz Intel Core i5 or Higher
Memory (RAM)	≥8 GB
Hard Drive	NVMe Solid State Drive (SSD)
Graphics Card	Dedicated Adapter with ≥256 MB RAM
Motherboard	USB 3.0 (-USB) Cameras: Integrated Intel USB 3.0 Controller or One Unused One Unused PCle3.0*16 Slot
Connectivity	Internet Connectivity for Driver Installation

User interface design

The image below shows the interface of the Attosview software. For more detailed information, please download the product manual.

Function	Function description
Operating mode	Operating mode: video mode or trigger mode Trigger mode: soft trigger mode or external trigger mode
Denoise	The camera hardware incorporates denoise
Automatic exposure	Automatic exposure or manual exposure function
Gain	HG, MG, LG 3 gain modes
Frame rate	Supports precise frame rate control
ROI	Supports single-zone ROI with a maximum frame rate of 8000fps after ROI
Flip	Supports Vertical/horizontal flip
Custom dark field correction	The hardware supports up to 12 groups of user-defined dark field correction image functions
Timestamp function	Timestamps can be turned on or off. After the timestamp function is enabled, the low 8bits of 1-8 pixels, 9-16 pixels, and 17-24 pixels will be modified to: 0-7: frame number; 8-15: Frame time; 16-23: trigger signal count
Firmware update	Supports firmware online update
Pipette function	Supports the display of the gray value of the mouse pixel position
Histogram display	Supports histogram display and statistics
Plane line function	Supports the function of viewing surface data
Regional gray statistics	Support the average gray statistics function of user-defined areas
Cooling system	1) The cooling system of the camera uses a built-in TEC cooling chip for the sensor, with external heat dissipation structure and fan auxiliary heat dissipation, the working temperature can be adjusted to a specific value, the effective cooling temperature can be lower than the ambient temperature of 40℃, and the high-efficiency cooling system ensures extremely low dark current level; 2) The TEC system adopts PID algorithm control, so that TEC can accurately adjust the sensor to the target temperature, and the temperature deviation is 0.3℃;

Q1 : What are the advantages of the SWIR1503BU-DC camera in the NIR-II imaging range?
The SWIR1503BU-DC camera has a spectral range of 900nm-1700nm, fully covering the NIR-II region (usually 900-1700 nm). It features a 640×512 resolution, 15μm large pixels, and deep cooling down to -50℃, making it suitable for applications in life sciences, such as small animal near-infrared fluorescence imaging, deep tissue structure observation, and NIR-II probe detection.
Q2 : SWIR1503BU-DC and the same series – Core differences in the -20℃ cooled models?
Cooling limits: This machine goes down to -50°C, while the regular B series only reaches -20°C. The difference in dark current is noticeable, so weak fluorescence imaging performance also varies a lot.

Application focus: This machine is mainly for life sciences and ultra-low-light research, while the standard SWIR1503B series cameras are more suited for industrial sorting and general spectroscopy experiments.

Power supply: This machine uses a dedicated 19V high-power power supply, whereas regular models use 12V. It’s also bigger and heavier, with an enhanced cooling design to support deep cooling.
Q3 : How can dark field correction and hardware external triggering be called through the SDK code?
Dark Frame Correction: First, collect multiple sets of dark frames in AttosView and store them in the camera hardware. Then, the SDK can call the corresponding interface to load them with one click, eliminating fixed noise during long exposures at –50°C;

External Trigger: The SDK allows you to customize trigger delays and the number of continuous frames, syncing precisely with the sample stage and light source timing, making it suitable for automated biological experiment workflows.

0.33 MP Deep Cooled SWIR Camera with InGaAs CMOS Sensor

Item

Docs

Available

Price

Qty

SWIR1503BU-DC

-80°C Cooled SWIR Camera with InGaAs sensor, 0.33 MP 15 μm Pixels

2 Weeks

$29,000.00

Optional accessories – lenses

To meet the diverse application demands of short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging, Attostek offer a series of high-performance SWIR lenses. This lineup covers focal lengths from 6mm to 100mm and features a wide aperture range of F1.4 to F2.0 as standard, ensuring high signal-to-noise ratio and superior image quality even in low-light conditions. Users can flexibly select different models based on field of view, working distance, and resolution requirements, providing high sensitivity and versatile scene adaptability for SWIR cameras in applications such as security surveillance, industrial inspection, and scientific research.

Item

Docs

0.33 MP 15 μm Pixels -50°C Cooled 900-1700nm SWIR Camera

Q1 : What are the advantages of the SWIR1503BU-DC camera in the NIR-II imaging range?

Q2 : SWIR1503BU-DC and the same series – Core differences in the -20℃ cooled models?

Q3 : How can dark field correction and hardware external triggering be called through the SDK code?

0.33 MP Deep Cooled SWIR Camera with InGaAs CMOS Sensor

Optional accessories – lenses

Practical Cases

Related Camera