Cheetah & Cheetah+ SWIR Cameras
The world's fastest InGaAs SWIR area-scan cameras. Built around Xenics's proprietary temperature-stabilized InGaAs detector, the Cheetah series delivers 640 × 512 resolution at frame rates up to 1700 Hz — with exceptional sensitivity, low noise, and 14-bit precision.
SWIR Area-Scan
up to 1700 Hz
The Fastest InGaAs SWIR Cameras on the Market
The Cheetah series is built on Xenics's in-house developed, temperature-stabilized InGaAs detector — uniquely combining extreme high speed, high resolution, and best-in-class SWIR sensitivity in a single, reliable platform.
Available in two generations — the Cheetah (CameraLink) and the advanced Cheetah+ 640 CAM (CoaXPress) — the series supports a wide range of demanding machine vision, scientific, and defense applications where standard SWIR cameras fall short.
- World's fastest SWIR area-scan imaging — up to 1700 Hz full frame
- Proprietary in-house InGaAs detector with ~80% peak quantum efficiency
- Single-stage (TE1) and three-stage (TE3) TE-cooled options for different noise/speed trade-offs
- vSWIR variant extends spectral sensitivity from 500 nm into the visible band
- 100% optical fill factor with 20 µm pixel pitch for superior SNR
- Global snapshot shutter with ITR & IWR readout modes
- ROI support for extreme frame rates — exceeding 100,000 Hz at minimum ROI
- CE, RoHS compliant; MIL-STD-810G shock and vibration rated
Cheetah vs. Cheetah+ 640 CAM
Both models share the same high-speed InGaAs sensor platform. The Cheetah uses a CameraLink interface, while the Cheetah+ 640 CAM advances the design with CoaXPress, a more compact body, extended operating temperature, and IP40 ingress protection for industrial environments.
Cheetah 640
The original high-speed SWIR platform — offering TE1 and TE3 cooled configurations for applications ranging from ultra-fast machine vision to deep low-light imaging. Available with vSWIR extension for visible-to-SWIR broadband coverage.
| Resolution | 640 × 512 px |
| Pixel Pitch | 20 µm |
| Spectral Range | 900–1700 nm SWIR; 500–1700 nm vSWIR |
| Frame Rate (TE1) | 400, 800, or 1700 Hz |
| Frame Rate (TE3) | Up to 110 Hz |
| Cooling | TE1 (fan) or TE3 (water-cooled) |
| Dark Current (TE3) | <1,000 e⁻/s at 233K |
| Interface | CameraLink (SDR) |
| ADC | 14-bit |
| Dimensions | 143 × 137 × 95 mm |
| Weight | 2,000 g |
| Lens Mount | C-mount |
| Operating Temp. | 0 °C to +50 °C |
High-speed SWIR machine vision, adaptive optics, wavefront sensing, laser beam analysis, ballistics and projectile tracking, and low-light scientific imaging (TE3).
Cheetah+ 640 CAM
The next-generation Cheetah platform — featuring CoaXPress (CXP12) for simplified, high-bandwidth cabling, a more compact and lighter body, wider operating temperature range, and IP40 protection. Available in CAM and OEM configurations.
| Resolution | 640 × 512 px |
| Pixel Pitch | 20 µm |
| Spectral Range | 900–1700 nm |
| Frame Rate | Up to 1700 Hz |
| Cooling | TE1 |
| Full Well (HG / LG) | 55k / 650k electrons |
| Interface | CXP12 / 2× CXP6 (HD-BNC) |
| ROI Support | Up to 4 simultaneous regions |
| ADC | 14-bit |
| Dimensions | 108 × 108 × 73 mm |
| Weight | 1,206 g |
| IP Rating | IP40 |
| Operating Temp. | −40 °C to +70 °C |
Wavefront sensing in Free Space Optical (FSO) communications, in-line semiconductor inspection, hyperspectral imaging, and industrial machine vision requiring simplified cabling and rugged performance.
Cheetah Series — Side-by-Side
Complete electro-optical, mechanical, and environmental specifications across all Cheetah configurations. Contact Wilco Imaging for model-specific datasheets.
| Specification | Cheetah 640 TE1 (400/800/1700 Hz) | Cheetah 640 TE3 | Cheetah+ 640 CAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electro-Optical | |||
| Image Format | 640 × 512 px | 640 × 512 px | 640 × 512 px |
| Pixel Pitch | 20 µm | 20 µm | 20 µm |
| Spectral Range | 900–1700 nm (SWIR) 500–1700 nm (vSWIR option) |
900–1700 nm (SWIR) | 900–1700 nm (SWIR) |
| Sensor Cooling | Single-stage TE (fan) | 3-stage TE (water-cooled) | Single-stage TE (TE1) |
| Quantum Efficiency | ~80% (typical peak) | ~80% (typical peak) | ~80% (typical peak) |
| Max Frame Rate (full frame) | 400 / 800 / 1700 Hz | 110 Hz | 1700 Hz |
| Max Frame Rate (min ROI) | >100,000 Hz | >100,000 Hz | >10,000 Hz |
| Read Noise (HG) | 120 e⁻ | 120 e⁻ | 150 e⁻ |
| Dark Current | <100k e⁻/s at 288K | <1,000 e⁻/s at 233K | <100k e⁻/s at 288K |
| Full Well Capacity (HG) | 45k e⁻ | 45k e⁻ | 55k e⁻ |
| Full Well Capacity (HDR/LG) | 500k e⁻ (HDR) | 500k e⁻ (HDR) | 650k e⁻ (LG) |
| Gain Modes | HG & HDR | HG & HDR | HG & LG |
| ADC | 14-bit | 14-bit | 14-bit |
| Interface | CameraLink (SDR) | CameraLink (SDR) | CXP12 / 2× CXP6 |
| ROI Regions | Yes | Yes | Up to 4 simultaneously |
| Shutter Type | Global snapshot | Global snapshot | Global snapshot |
| Optical Fill Factor | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Lens Mount | C-mount | C-mount | C-mount |
| Mechanical | |||
| Dimensions (W×H×L mm) | 143 × 137 × 95 | 143 × 137 × 95 | 108 × 108 × 73 |
| Weight | 2,000 g | 2,000 g | 1,206 g |
| IP Rating | — | — | IP40 |
| Environmental & Power | |||
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +50 °C | 0 °C to +50 °C | −40 °C to +70 °C |
| Storage Temperature | −45 °C to +60 °C | −45 °C to +60 °C | −45 °C to +85 °C |
| Power Consumption | Up to 25–60 W | Up to 60 W | 25.2 W (PSU) / 15.3 W (CXP) |
| Power Supply | DC 12 V | DC 12 V | 24 V |
| Shock | MIL-STD-810G, 40 g / 11 ms | MIL-STD-810G, 40 g / 11 ms | MIL-STD-810G, 40 g / 11 ms |
| Vibration | MIL-STD-810G, 4.01 g (15–2000 Hz) | MIL-STD-810G, 4.01 g (15–2000 Hz) | MIL-STD-810G, 4 g (20–2000 Hz) |
| Compliance | CE, RoHS | CE, RoHS | RoHS |
What Makes the Cheetah Series Stand Out
World's Fastest SWIR Area-Scan
The Cheetah and Cheetah+ are the fastest commercially available InGaAs SWIR area-scan cameras, delivering up to 1700 Hz full-frame and exceeding 100,000 Hz at minimum region of interest. This enables high-speed events in the SWIR band that no other camera can capture.
Flexible TE Cooling Options
The single-stage TE1 configuration maximizes speed, while the three-stage TE3 variant reduces dark current to under 1,000 e⁻/s at 233K — dramatically improving performance in low-light, long-exposure scientific and research applications. The TE3 uses water cooling for efficient heat management.
vSWIR Option — Visible Through SWIR
The Cheetah 640 is available with a vSWIR detector option extending sensitivity from 500 nm into the visible range — enabling a single camera to cover both the visible and SWIR spectral bands. Ideal for applications requiring multi-band inspection without switching cameras.
CoaXPress on the Cheetah+
The Cheetah+ 640 CAM upgrades to a CoaXPress interface (CXP12 / 2× CXP6), enabling higher bandwidth data transfer over a single coaxial cable — simplifying system integration compared to multi-cable CameraLink setups. Combined with a more compact body and −40 °C operating range, the Cheetah+ is built for demanding industrial environments.
14-Bit Precision & Dual Gain Modes
All Cheetah models output 14-bit digitized imagery with selectable High Gain (HG) and High Dynamic Range / Low Gain (HDR/LG) modes. This allows users to optimize for sensitivity in low-signal conditions or dynamic range in high-flux environments — within the same hardware platform.
MIL-STD-810G Rated
Both Cheetah models are rated to MIL-STD-810G shock (40 g, 11 ms) and vibration specifications, making them suitable for integration into mobile platforms, industrial machinery, and field-deployed systems where mechanical durability is essential.
Built for the Most Demanding SWIR Imaging Tasks
The Cheetah's unique combination of speed, sensitivity, and spectral range makes it the camera of choice across a broad range of high-performance applications.
FSO communications, laser guide stars, optical aberration correction
High-speed beam profiling, M² measurement, laser alignment
In-line wafer inspection, die-level defect detection, process monitoring
Push-broom SWIR hyperspectral acquisition for agriculture, food, and materials analysis
Projectile tracking, explosive event characterization, impact analysis
Medical imaging, interferometry, time-resolved SWIR measurements, R&D
Cheetah Series Configurations
Contact Wilco Imaging for model-specific pricing, lead times, and configuration guidance.
Cheetah 640
Cheetah+ 640 CAM / OEM
Contact Wilco Imaging for Cheetah+ CAM and OEM model numbers and configuration details.
Technical Resources
Cheetah+ 640 Product Leaflet
Official Xenics product leaflet for the Cheetah+ 640 series — covering key specifications, performance highlights, and application suitability for the advanced CoaXPress platform.
Download PDF ↗Cheetah 640 Series Brochure
Full Xenics Cheetah 640 series leaflet covering TE1 and TE3 configurations, frame rate options, electro-optical specifications, and target applications.
Download PDF ↗How to Make a NUC File for the Cheetah
Step-by-step video walkthrough on creating a Non-Uniformity Correction (NUC) file for the Cheetah series — essential for optimizing image quality and detector uniformity in your setup.
Watch on YouTube ↗Laser Beam Profiling with Infrared Cameras
Application note covering laser beam profiling methodology and best practices using infrared cameras — including how the Cheetah's high-speed InGaAs sensor delivers precise beam characterization in the SWIR band.
Download PDF ↗Ready to Specify a Cheetah Camera?
Wilco Imaging's team can help you select the right Cheetah configuration — TE1 vs. TE3, CameraLink vs. CoaXPress, SWIR vs. vSWIR — for your specific application and integration requirements.