onsemi has announced the acquisition of SWIR Vision Systems. Accordingly, the transaction is part of the company’s continuous drive to provide the most robust, cutting-edge technologies for intelligent image sensing.

SWIR Vision Systems is a leading provider of colloidal quantum-dot-based (CQD) short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) technology. In essence, the technology extends the detectable light spectrum to see through objects and capture previously impossible images.

Further Growth in Industrial, Other Key Markets

The integration of this patented technology within onsemi’s CMOS sensors will significantly enhance the company’s intelligent sensing product portfolio. In addition, it will pave the way for further growth in key markets including industrial, automotive, and defense.

CQD uses nanoparticles or crystals with unique optical and electronic properties that can be precisely tuned to absorb an extended wavelength of light. Thus, this technology extends the visibility and detection of systems beyond the range of standard CMOS sensors to SWIR wavelengths.

To date, SWIR technology has been limited in adoption due to the high cost and manufacturing complexity of the traditional indium gallium arsenide (InGAas) process. With this acquisition, onsemi will combine its silicon-based CMOS sensors and manufacturing expertise with the CQD technology to deliver highly integrated SWIR sensors at lower cost and higher volume. As a result, a more compact, cost-effective imaging systems that offer extended-spectrum. Furthermore, it can suite diverse commercial, industrial and defense applications.

Essential Across Many Industries

These advanced SWIR sensors can see through dense materials, gases, fabrics, and plastics, which is essential across many industries. Particularly, for industrial applications such as surveillance systems, silicon inspection, machine vision imaging, and food inspection. In autonomous vehicle imaging, the higher spectra will create better visibility to see through difficult conditions such as extreme darkness, thick fog or winter glare.

SWIR Vision Systems is now a wholly owned subsidiary of onsemi, with its highly skilled team being integrated into the company’s Intelligent Sensing Group. Moreover, the team will continue to operate in North Carolina.

03 July 2024