Application-Specific Near-Infrared Software Module

Devices use near-infrared (near-IR or NIR) light emissions to detect three-dimensional (3D) objects beyond the human visible spectrum, thus avoiding human visual distraction and visible light interference.

However, since NIR emissions are known to be “invisible,” test equipment needs to be utilized to guarantee sufficient intensity and distribution of NIR light for detecting objects.

The TT-NIRI module is part of the TrueTest™ Software family from Radiant Vision Systems. This application-specific software module offers the advantages of the TrueTest™ Software to efficiently carry out image-based measurements. But this comes with application-specific tests to assess the precision of 850 or 940 nm NIR LEDs, structured light patterns, and lasers that are utilized for:

Eye-tracking as well as iris detection

Gesture and facial recognition

Multimodal sensing for motion and gesture control

Automotive LiDAR for sensing autonomous vehicles

Other non-visible 3D sensing applications

Radiant Vision Systems offers a complete NIR test solution that integrates the TT-NIRI application-specific software module with its NIR Intensity Lens solution, to carry out fast and automated visual inspection of NIR emitters.

With the help of the Fourier optics of the NIR Intensity Lens solution, the TT-NIRI assesses all angular emissions of a source in one image, and also all the dots in a structured light pattern generated by diffractive optical elements, or DOE.

When compared to a goniometric or spot measurement device, a Radiant NIR test solution has the ability to capture and process data relatively faster and more reliably. Captured by the TT-NIRI software and the NIR Intensity Lens, the DOE dot source analytics provide complete radiometric data. This data cannot be achieved through alternative techniques like casting a dot pattern against a wall or other similar Lambertian surface.

Supported products — NIR Intensity Lens solution

System requirements:

NIR Intensity Lens solution

Windows® 10, 64-bit

16-32 GB RAM

Additional system requirements vary by camera.

Comprehensive NIR Test Suite

Assessing the precision of NIR emissions depends on radiometric measurements to establish the intensity and scope of NIR-emitting sources, and also the angular position of accurate emission points (dots) against defined tolerances.

An all-inclusive NIR test suite provided by the TT-NIRI module enables users to define measurement parameters as well as pass/fail criteria for certain points of interest in a single image. Specific tests are included in the software module for NIR light source measurement, including:

Max. power

POI total power

Total flux (mW or W)

Dot source analysis

Pixel solid angle

Inclination solid angle

Image export

Points of interest

Flood source analysis

Angular Distribution of a Source

Cross-section radar plot in TT-NIRI software showing radiant intensity as a function of angle for a NIR LED light distribution.

Diffuse “Flood” Source Analysis

Certain NIR applications depend on a powerful flash of NIR light (at times known as “flood” distribution) for proximity sensing, utilizing a time-of-flight (ToF) measurement. In facial recognition, for instance, flood emitters can be used for detecting the presence of a face and thus establish focus distance, even in darkness.

Within the TT-NIRI software, the “Flood Source Analysis” test quantifies the flood function of these light sources to make sure that they conform to the planned performance parameters, and to detect any irregularities like intensity fall-off or hot spots.

Analyze flood distributions from diffuse NIR light sources to evaluate uniformity across angular emissions (in terms of intensity at each degree), center values, angular fall-off, hot-spots, including: