FAQ & Support

Hyperspectral imaging has proven its added value for many applications. There’s only one way to be sure that it also does in yours: try it.

We recommend you use one of our high-resolution SNAPSCAN cameras to test the usefulness of hyperspectral imaging for your needs. You can also decide which spectral bands are relevant for your application.

Once you know what you need, you can choose the system with the exact specifications for your application. Or we can help you to build your dedicated filters or camera system.

The short answer is ‘no’.

Of course, a higher number of spectral bands improves the flexibility to adapt to diverse situations or objects. But having many bands does not automatically lead to higher value. Some bands might provide valuable information for your purposes, others not.

One of the routes you can take is to use our high-resolution SNAPSCAN cameras to identify the most valuable bands. Consequently, we can custom develop a real-time sensor for you.

Broadly speaking, there are two applications types for which real-time imaging is an absolute must:

• 2D motions robotics
• Imaging of scenes that contain unpredictable motions, such as surveillance

All cameras come with GUI and API. If you’re looking for application-specific software, we can give you excellent references.

Our support team provides on year of remote support. Moreover, you get access to our support portal for software, manuals, etc.

Our goal is to get you started with a minimum of effort on your part. All you need is your own PC. The camera comes as a complete kit, and we provide you with an evaluation set-up and software.

The camera comes in a rugged case with the camera, all cables, manuals and software on a USB stick, a quickstart guide and optionally a lens.

Feel free to contact us for an evaluation set-up.

Our SNAPSCAN cameras have the highest combined spatial and spectral resolution of all point and shoot devices on the market today. Because of the combination of a linescan sensor with a scanning system integrated in the camera, the camera combines both the benefits of a high spectral resolution linescan system and a high spatial resolution camera.

The mosaic filter pattern is similar to the RGB Bayer pattern, but with 9, 16 or 25 filters instead of 4. In the same way, the spatial resolution is divided by the number of filters. Our newest software now includes algorithms to ‘de-Bayer’ the images to almost the original sensor resolution.

The Field Of View or FOV of a camera depends on the camera’s imaging resolution and on the focal length of the lens mounted on the camera. Imec’s hyperspectral imec sensor technology makes hyperspectral cameras as simple as conventional machine vision cameras. This enables you to select the optimal lens for the application’s requirements.

Our of-the-shelf offering uses a 2-Mpx sensor, but our filters can be deposited on higher-resolution sensors as well. We have demonstrated 4- and 12-Mpx spectral sensors and can in principle deposit on the sensor of your choice. Contact us for more information.

Imec’s hyperspectral imec sensor technology make hyperspectral cameras as simple as conventional machine vision cameras. This includes selecting the optimal lens for your application’s requirements.

All cameras in our offering feature the standard C-mount, allowing you to mount any C-mount lens on the camera. When you select a lens for hyperspectral imaging, remember to consider the transmission efficiency of the lens for all colors as well as the lens design to limit the focal error.

Because all the cameras in our offering feature the standard C-mount, it's very easy to mount the camera on different optical setups, such as a microscope, laparoscope, fundus camera, etc. Many of these optics are available with a C-mount or can be fitted with a C-mount adapter.

Imec offers cameras from the VIS to SWIR range. The spectral range depends on the sensor technology and filters on the sensor. The CMOS-based 2-MPx sensors cover 470 to 950 nm while the InGaAs sensors cover 1100 to 1700 nm.

The high-resolution snapscan cameras have 100 to 150 bands, depending on the model. For applications that capture motion we have real-time cameras with up to 32 bands, depending on the spectral range, sensor resolution and filter patterning. You can find more information in the product datasheets.

To ensure an easy integration of the cameras in a system, all cameras have a tripod mount as well as multiple metric mount options.