New Imaging Technologies (NIT) discusses how Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) imaging can support firefighting Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), handheld systems, and first responders operating in environments affected by smoke, haze, water spray, dust, and airborne particles.
Firefighting and emergency response operations take place in dynamic, visually complex conditions. Smoke and other airborne obscurants can reduce image contrast and conceal important scene details, making accurate assessment more difficult with conventional visible imaging systems.
NIT provides SWIR sensors and cameras designed for integration into UAV platforms and portable systems. Available solutions range in resolution from qVGA to Full HD, offer high dynamic range of up to 120 dB, and provide high sensitivity for challenging imaging conditions.
The solutions are available at sensor and board level, as well as camera modules with or without housings. Standard interface options include USB3.0, CameraLink, and HD-SDI.
SWIR Visibility Through Smoke & Airborne Obscurants
SWIR sensors and cameras provide an additional imaging capability that supports visibility through obscurants and improved scene understanding.
Compared with visible imaging, SWIR wavelengths are less affected by scattering from smoke and airborne particles, allowing better perception of people and structures.
SWIR imaging can also contribute to identifying the “seat of the fire” at temperatures above 300°C. While thermal imaging highlights heat signatures, SWIR can contribute to identifying regions of intense combustion while preserving contextual detail.
Unlike thermal imaging alone, SWIR can reveal edges, structural outlines, and surface features, supporting better interpretation of the environment. When combined with active illumination, SWIR enables consistent imaging across varying lighting conditions using a single sensor.
UAV & Handheld Applications
Mounted on UAVs or used in handheld systems, SWIR imaging can support situational awareness in smoke-filled environments by helping teams assess scene layout and hazards. For search and rescue operations, improved contrast through obscurants can assist in locating individuals where visibility is otherwise limited. SWIR imaging can also support structural assessment by revealing building structure and features for safer navigation and post-fire evaluation.
Thermal imaging remains essential for detecting heat signatures and identifying hot spots. SWIR solutions complement thermal systems by adding shape and structural information, surface and material visibility, and improved scene context. Together, these capabilities enable responders to see both heat and the surrounding environment.
Passive & Gated SWIR Imaging in Dense Smoke
An illustrative example captured using the WiDy SenS 640 demonstrates improved visibility through smoke with SWIR imaging. The example includes a passive-mode comparison between visible and SWIR imaging in dense, water-based smoke. Under the demonstrated conditions, visibility in the SWIR band is described as being almost unaffected by the smoke.
Visible and SWIR imaging comparison in passive mode within dense, water-based smoke.
A further example compares visible and SWIR imaging in gated mode within dense smoke from a smoke bomb. For fire detection, operating in the higher part of the SWIR spectrum, such as at 1550 nm, can provide a slightly sharper image. Where additional lighting is required, operating at 1550 nm can provide effective results, and illuminators at this wavelength are widely commercially available.
Visible and SWIR imaging comparison in gated mode within dense smoke from a smoke bomb.
Firefighting operations require both heat detection and an understanding of the surrounding environment. NIT’s SWIR solutions are intended to provide responders with additional scene context, supporting their use alongside thermal systems in challenging firefighting environments.
Visit the New Imaging Technologies website for more information about its SWIR imaging solutions >>
