Sensors Unlimited

What Sensors Unlimited does

Sensors Unlimited, Inc. is a Princeton, New Jersey-based designer and manufacturer of shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging cameras and components built on proprietary Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) focal plane array technology. Founded in 1991 and operated today as a wholly-owned subsidiary of RTX (Raytheon Technologies Corporation), the company runs an ISO 9001:2015 certified, 97,000+ square foot fabrication facility with Class 100 clean rooms, in-house MOCVD epitaxial growth, CMOS readout integrated circuit (ROIC) hybridization, and packaging — a vertically integrated III-V foundry that produces both commercial and ITAR-controlled product variants. Its portfolio is organized into 1D SWIR products (LC/LSC, LE/LSE, LDB/LSB series and linescan cameras up to 2048 pixels) and 2D SWIR products (1280JSX HD, 640CSX VGA, 320CSX QVGA, MMT-equipped ALPD cameras, and handheld SPS scopes), with custom foundry and fabrication services offered to external customers.

Sensors Unlimited sells to defense, security, industrial machine vision, scientific research, telecommunications, medical, and aerospace markets through direct enterprise sales and via its RTX/Raytheon channel relationships, complemented by an SWIR technology education presence on its website, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, and a publications/media library. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with a minimum order quantity of 10 units now applied to new products. Named reference customers include NASA (LCROSS lunar mission, 2009), GHGSat (Claire microSat greenhouse-gas monitoring, 2016), and MPB Communications, alongside unnamed defense and industrial machine vision buyers. Selectable government, military, and commercial use cases include laser detection and designation, ISR and night vision, semiconductor wafer and photovoltaic inspection, plastic sorting, hyperspectral imaging, and DWDM optical network monitoring.

Revenue is generated through hardware unit sales of cameras and arrays, supplemented by professional services revenue from custom device design, epitaxial growth, fabrication, packaging, and flip-chip hybridization contracted to third parties. The company holds over 15 patents in InGaAs technology, holds Trusted Foundry Program accreditation, and operates as part of RTX alongside Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney; its management team brings over 75 years of combined infrared detector experience.

Name

Sensors Unlimited

Legal name

Sensors Unlimited, Inc.

Website

https://sensorsinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Sensors Unlimited, an RTX subsidiary founded in 1991 and based in Princeton, NJ, designs and manufactures InGaAs-based SWIR cameras, focal plane arrays, and III-V foundry services for defense, industrial machine vision, scientific, telecom, medical, and aerospace customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Infrared Imaging Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors & Targeting Systems (IMABAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Electronics for Weapons (IMABAGAH), Optical & Light Sensors (Photodiodes/ALS/Color/UV) (HDAHALAE), Analog Front-End (AFE) ICs (Sensor/Medical/Industrial AFE) (HDAHAIAJ)

Keywords

• SWIR imaging
• InGaAs detectors
• Infrared cameras
• Photodiode arrays
• Night vision systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Princeton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. SWIR Camera Sales: Sale of 1D and 2D SWIR InGaAs cameras including linescan cameras, area cameras, and photodiode arrays for military, industrial, scientific, and telecommunications applications.
2. Custom Device Design and Fabrication: Custom device design, epitaxial growth, fabrication, packaging and flip chip hybridization to other circuits. Complete custom foundry and fabrication services.
3. Custom Foundries and Fabrication: ISO 9001:2015 certified fabrication facility offering custom device design, epitaxial growth, fabrication, packaging and flip chip hybridization services to other circuits for customer requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sensors Unlimited designs and manufactures SWIR (Short Wave Infrared) InGaAs cameras and components, including linescan cameras, area cameras, and linear photodiode arrays. The company sells these products to defense, military, industrial machine vision, scientific research, telecommunications, and aerospace customers, and also offers custom foundry and fabrication services for specialized InGaAs device requirements.

Product overview

Sensors Unlimited, a Raytheon Company (RTX Business), offers a comprehensive portfolio of SWIR (Short Wave Infrared) InGaAs cameras and components. The product line is organized into 1D SWIR (linescan cameras and linear photodiode arrays) and 2D SWIR (area cameras) categories, supported by customization/foundry services. The 1D product family includes LC/LSC Series (digital high-speed linear arrays up to 2.6µm wavelength), LE/LSE Series (analog linear arrays), LDB/LSB Series, and linescan cameras (2048L/R, 1024LDH2, 1024LDM). The 2D product family includes the 1280JSX HD Camera (1.3MP), 640CSX VGA Camera, 320CSX QVGA Camera, 640CSX+MMT ALPD Camera (with multi-mode tracking), and SPS/SPS+MMT handheld systems. New products in development include 1280JSX+MMT, 1280JSX HD-10µm, eSWIR 640CSX+MMT, 640HSX2, and 640CSXCC+MMT cameras. The company also provides custom foundry and fabrication services including epitaxial growth, detector formation, and packaging.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Raytheon Vision Systems: Developer and manufacturer of infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs) and detective assemblies, providing development, design, materials, wafer processing, and manufacturing services for state-of-the-art short-wave through long-wave infrared imagers.

Products and services

• LC / LSC Series Digital, high-speed InGaAs linear photodiode arrays with 256, 512, and 1024 elements, supporting wavelength ranges from 0.8 to 2.6 µm. Features autozero function, anti-blooming protection, and selectable gains for industrial and defense customers.
• LE / LSE Series Analog InGaAs linear photodiode arrays with 512 and 1024 elements, 25µm or 50µm pixel pitches, covering wavelength ranges of 0.8 to 2.2 µm. Features anti-blooming protection and optional thermoelectric coolers.
• LDB / LSB Series Analog InGaAs linear photodiode arrays with 256/512 pixels, 25/50 µm pitch, operating at 5k lines per second. Designed for industrial process control and inspection applications.
• 2048L Linescan Camera High-resolution linescan camera with 2048 pixels at 76 kHz line rate. Part of the 1D SWIR product line for high-speed industrial imaging.
• 2048R Linescan Camera High-speed linescan camera with 2048 pixels at 147 kHz line rate for rapid inspection and analysis for industrial applications.
• 1024LDH2 Linescan Camera 1024-pixel linescan camera with 92 KHz line rate. High-speed InGaAs camera for high-resolution imaging applications.
• 1024LDM Linescan Camera 1024-pixel linescan camera with 46 KHz line rate designed for high-resolution imaging through glass lenses and windows.
• 1280JSX HD Camera Next-generation SWIR digital video camera with 1.3MP high-resolution (1280 x 1024 @ 12.5µm pitch), high-sensitivity InGaAs imager. Features 30 fps full frame rate, MIL-STD-810G compliant, and Camera Link output.
• 640CSX VGA Camera Micro-SWIR camera with 640 x 512 resolution at 12.5µm pixel pitch. Designed for small size, weight and power (SWaP) applications. Available without ITAR restrictions.
• 320CSX QVGA Camera Compact SWIR video camera with 320 x 256 resolution at 12.5µm pitch. Designed for SWaP-optimized applications, non-ITAR with high sensitivity.
• 640CSX+MMT ALPD Camera Micro-SWIR camera core with multi-mode tracking capability. Provides high-resolution video for laser tracking and decoding of multiple asynchronous sources simultaneously.
• SPS (SWIR Pocket Scope) Handheld SWIR camera providing target accuracy with enhanced situational awareness for day and nighttime operations.
• SPS+MMT (SWIR Pocket Scope + Multi Mode Tracker) Handheld SWIR system with laser spot tracking capability and enhanced situational awareness. Combines pocket scope with multi-mode tracker.
• 1280JSX+MMT Camera New product combining the 1280JSX HD camera with multi-mode tracking capability in a small form factor positioned for defense applications.
• 1280JSX HD-10µm Video Camera New high-definition SWIR camera variant with 10µm pixel pitch.
• eSWIR 640CSX+MMT Camera Extended SWIR variant of the 640CSX+MMT camera for enhanced wavelength coverage.
• 640HSX2 Digital Video Camera New digital video camera in the 640 HSX series.
• 640CSXCC+MMT Camera New variant of 640CSX with CC (clear crown) configuration and multi-mode tracking.
• Custom Foundry Services Custom device design, epitaxial growth, fabrication, packaging and flip chip hybridization services for specialized customer requirements.
• Fabrication Services Comprehensive fabrication services including III-V foundry with Class 100 clean rooms and state-of-the-art processes such as MOCVD epitaxial growth and detector formation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Operating wavelengths: 0.8-1.7μm, 1.1-2.2μm, 1.1-2.6μm depending on product series
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• GHGSatcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2016GHGSat uses Sensors Unlimited's 640HSX InGaAs SWIR Camera in their microSat 'Claire' satellite for greenhouse gas detection and monitoring of industrial emissions worldwide. The satellite orbits Earth every 90 minutes and has surveyed over 1300 sites.
• MPB Communications Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPB Communications developed the GHGSat microSat 'Claire' incorporating Sensors Unlimited's SWIR camera technology for space-based greenhouse gas monitoring applications.
• Raytheon Vision SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationRaytheon Vision Systems is a sister company under RTX/Raytheon that develops and manufactures infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs) and detective assemblies, providing complementary technology offerings in infrared imaging alongside Sensors Unlimited.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a major defense prime with significant IR/EO sensor and imaging business including night vision, targeting, and surveillance systems. Competes with Sensors Unlimited for SWIR-based defense programs, particularly in ISR, night vision, and precision-guided munitions.
• Leonardo DRS: Leonardo DRS manufactures advanced infrared sensors and electro-optical systems for US and allied defense customers. Overlaps with Sensors Unlimited in defense-grade SWIR/IR imaging, particularly for IRCM and military surveillance applications.
• Teledyne FLIR: Teledyne FLIR is a broad incumbent in thermal and SWIR imaging with a large defense and industrial portfolio. Directly comparable to Sensors Unlimited in InGaAs/SWIR camera offerings and serves the same military, security, and machine vision customer base.

Direct peers

• Lynred (formerly Sofradir): Lynred is a leading European manufacturer of infrared detectors including InGaAs SWIR focal plane arrays. Direct peer to Sensors Unlimited in InGaAs sensor technology, serving defense, industrial, and scientific markets with comparable SWIR product lines.
• Hamamatsu Photonics: Hamamatsu manufactures InGaAs linear arrays, area sensors, and SWIR cameras for industrial, scientific, and telecommunications applications. Directly competes with Sensors Unlimited in near-infrared imaging components and camera modules.
• Xenics (Exosens): Xenics, now part of Exosens, is a European SWIR and MWIR imaging specialist offering InGaAs cameras and detectors. Direct peer to Sensors Unlimited in SWIR cameras for industrial machine vision, scientific research, and security/surveillance applications.

Emerging players

• Raptor Photonics: Raptor Photonics is a niche SWIR and EMCCD camera manufacturer serving scientific, industrial, and surveillance markets. Comparable to Sensors Unlimited in compact SWIR camera offerings, though with a smaller commercial footprint.
• New Imaging Technologies (NIT): NIT is a European SWIR and large-format CMOS imaging specialist offering InGaAs cameras for defense, industrial, and scientific use. Direct technology peer to Sensors Unlimited in InGaAs sensors and SWIR camera modules.
• Allied Vision: Allied Vision manufactures industrial and scientific cameras including SWIR and InGaAs models for machine vision, inspection, and research. Comparable to Sensors Unlimited in industrial machine vision camera offerings, though with broader sensor technology.
• First Light Imaging: First Light Imaging is a French specialist in high-speed scientific and industrial cameras including SWIR and scientific-grade imaging. Comparable to Sensors Unlimited in high-performance scientific and machine vision SWIR applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sensorsswir
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SensorsUnlimited
• Facebookfacebook.com/sensors-unlimited-628466813880534
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/94722

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sensors Unlimited