Security Monitoring
IRLENS designs and manufactures MWIR and LWIR infrared lenses for security cameras, perimeter protection systems, border monitoring equipment and long-range thermal surveillance platforms.
Our security and surveillance lens portfolio includes fixed-focus, motorized-focus, athermalized, dual-FOV, multiple-FOV and continuous zoom infrared lenses for cooled and uncooled thermal detectors.
Standard Thermal Imaging Camera Lens are available for system evaluation, while focal length, F-number, detector compatibility, mounting interface, lens dimensions and control method can be customized for OEM security camera projects.
From initial engineering samples to repeat volume production, IRLENS supports thermal camera manufacturers and surveillance system integrators with optical design, mechanical development, infrared component processing, coating, assembly and performance evaluation.
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Visible-light surveillance cameras depend on reflected light and may lose detection capability when illumination is insufficient. Thermal imaging systems detect infrared radiation emitted by people, vehicles, machinery and other objects, allowing them to operate without visible illumination.
This makes thermal imaging lenses suitable for continuous security monitoring in complete darkness, backlit scenes and other conditions where visible-light imaging may be limited.
Thermal imaging may also provide better target contrast than visible cameras in certain haze, smoke and low-visibility conditions. Actual imaging performance depends on the infrared wavelength, target characteristics, atmospheric conditions, detector sensitivity and lens configuration.
IRLENS works with thermal camera OEMs, PTZ camera manufacturers and security system integrators to select or develop infrared lenses according to the required field of view, target distance and installation structure.
Thermal cameras are frequently integrated into perimeter protection systems for industrial parks, power facilities, logistics centers, airports, data centers and other restricted locations.
Unlike visible-light cameras, passive thermal imaging does not require the target area to be illuminated. A thermal security camera can detect differences between a person, vehicle or object and the surrounding environment, supporting video analytics and alarm systems.
Infrared lenses for perimeter security may require:
Wide field of view for short-range fence monitoring
Medium focal length for open-area observation
Long focal length for extended perimeter coverage
Athermalized focus for outdoor temperature changes
Motorized focus for remote camera adjustment
Fixed, dual or continuous field-of-view configurations
Mechanical compatibility with PTZ camera housings
The appropriate focal length should be calculated according to the detector format, monitored area, target size and required detection or identification task.
Border, coastline and remote-area surveillance systems may need to observe people, vehicles or vessels across large open areas during both day and night.
Long-range thermal imaging lenses can be integrated into fixed surveillance towers, mobile observation platforms, stabilized PTZ systems and multi-sensor EO/IR equipment.
A wide field of view helps operators search a large area, while a narrow field of view provides greater image detail for distant targets. Continuous zoom and multiple-FOV infrared lenses allow the system to switch between these observation modes.
Depending on the required distance and platform configuration, IRLENS can provide:
Cooled MWIR continuous zoom lenses
Uncooled LWIR continuous zoom lenses
Long-focal-length fixed-focus lenses
Dual-FOV and multiple-FOV infrared lenses
Motorized-focus thermal imaging lenses
Customized opto-mechanical lens assemblies
The final lens selection should be based on target dimensions, observation distance, detector resolution, pixel pitch, atmospheric conditions and the required field of view.
Long-range thermal surveillance systems require careful matching between the detector, lens and target distance.
Simply selecting the longest focal length does not guarantee the best result. Longer focal lengths reduce the field of view and can increase lens size, weight and integration complexity. The complete system must balance search coverage, target detail, aperture, detector sensitivity and platform limitations.
Important factors for a long-range infrared lens include:
Maximum focal length
Wide and narrow field of view
Zoom ratio
F-number
Detector resolution and pixel pitch
Target size and distance
Optical transmission
Focus and zoom repeatability
Optical-axis consistency
Operating temperature
Lens dimensions and weight
IRLENS offers infrared lens configurations covering short-, medium- and long-focal-length applications. Custom development is available when an existing model cannot meet the required detector, zoom range, mechanical envelope or control interface.
Thermal surveillance systems can support continuous monitoring around power stations, substations, oil and gas facilities, communication sites, water treatment plants, warehouses and transportation infrastructure.
These projects may use fixed thermal cameras for individual monitoring zones or long-range PTZ systems for larger areas.
Infrared lenses used for critical infrastructure protection should be selected according to:
Monitored area dimensions
Minimum target size
Camera mounting position
Required observation distance
Indoor or outdoor installation
Ambient temperature range
Fixed or rotating camera platform
Integration with analytics and alarm systems
Where a project also requires equipment-temperature measurement or process inspection, the security requirements should be separated from radiometric measurement requirements during lens and detector selection.
Ports, harbors and coastal facilities contain large open spaces, reflective water surfaces and changing visibility conditions. Thermal imaging can complement visible cameras by detecting the heat signatures of vessels, vehicles and people without relying on scene illumination.
Security applications may include:
Port perimeter monitoring
Restricted-area observation
Vessel detection
Harbor entrance surveillance
Coastal monitoring
Cargo terminal security
Offshore facility observation
For marine and coastal projects, lens selection should consider not only focal length and detector matching, but also the complete camera enclosure, environmental protection, corrosion resistance and installation stability.
IRLENS can evaluate infrared coatings, opto-mechanical interfaces and lens configurations according to the requirements supplied by the camera manufacturer.
Thermal cameras can be used alongside visible-light cameras in transport hubs, parking areas, public facilities and other locations requiring continuous situational monitoring.
For these applications, the infrared lens may be used to support:
Detection in poorly illuminated areas
Pedestrian and vehicle observation
Restricted-area monitoring
Video analytics
Event detection
Alarm verification
Wide-angle or medium-focal-length LWIR lenses are often suitable for compact security cameras, while motorized-focus and zoom lenses may be required for PTZ systems covering larger areas.
Because thermal imaging primarily shows heat differences rather than visible colors and facial details, many security systems combine thermal and visible cameras. The thermal channel supports detection, while the visible channel provides additional scene information.
Infrared lenses can produce clear images at night or in low-light conditions. They are used for 24-hour uninterrupted monitoring of urban streets, public places, industrial parks, and residential areas. This effectively makes up for the deficiency of visible - light monitoring at night and enhances the overall performance and reliability of security monitoring systems.
Under adverse weather conditions such as smoke, haze, and sandstorms, the penetration ability of visible light is limited. However, infrared light has a stronger penetration ability. Infrared lenses can penetrate these obstacles to obtain clear images, ensuring that the monitoring system can still work normally in harsh environments and providing strong support for emergency rescue and traffic guidance.
| Security Application | Recommended Lens Type | Main Selection Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Short-range perimeter monitoring | Wide-angle LWIR fixed-focus lens | Coverage width, detector format and mounting height |
| Industrial site security | Athermalized or motorized LWIR lens | Outdoor temperature, monitored area and enclosure |
| PTZ thermal security camera | Motorized, dual-FOV or continuous zoom lens | Camera space, control interface and field-of-view range |
| Border surveillance | Long-focal-length MWIR or LWIR zoom lens | Target distance, detector sensitivity and atmospheric conditions |
| Coastal and maritime monitoring | Long-range zoom infrared lens | Vessel size, observation distance and environmental protection |
| Critical infrastructure protection | Fixed-focus or zoom LWIR lens | Site layout, continuous operation and target size |
| Mobile surveillance platform | Compact motorized or zoom lens | Size, weight, power and mechanical stability |
| Multi-sensor EO/IR system | MWIR or LWIR continuous zoom lens | Boresight, zoom range and system integration |
The final lens recommendation must be based on the complete camera specification rather than the application name alone.
Both MWIR and LWIR lenses can be used in security and surveillance systems. The best option depends on the required distance, detector architecture, system size and project budget.
| Selection Factor | MWIR Lens | LWIR Lens |
|---|---|---|
| Typical waveband | 3–5 μm | 8–14 μm |
| Common detector | Primarily cooled detector | Commonly uncooled detector |
| Typical application | High-performance and long-range surveillance | Perimeter, commercial security and compact thermal cameras |
| System characteristics | Higher complexity and cooling requirement | Lower power and simpler integration |
| Common lens types | Long-range fixed focus and continuous zoom | Fixed focus, athermalized, motorized, dual-FOV and zoom |
| Key considerations | Sensitivity, cold-shield matching and long-range performance | Size, cost, temperature stability and volume integration |
Cooled MWIR systems are frequently considered for demanding long-range surveillance platforms.
Uncooled LWIR systems are widely used in perimeter protection, fixed thermal cameras and commercial security products because they can support compact and lower-power system architectures.
IRLENS can review the target distance, detector and platform requirements before recommending a suitable spectral band and lens configuration.
Fixed-focus lenses have a defined focal length and field of view. They are suitable for fixed monitoring zones where the camera position and observation area remain unchanged.
They can support stable, compact and cost-effective security camera designs for volume production.
Athermalized lenses are designed to reduce focus changes over a specified temperature range.
They are suitable for outdoor perimeter cameras, unattended monitoring systems and security equipment exposed to changing day and night temperatures.
Motorized-focus lenses allow the camera system to adjust focus remotely.
They are suitable for PTZ cameras, mobile surveillance platforms and equipment installed in locations where manual adjustment is inconvenient.
Dual-FOV and multiple-FOV lenses provide two or more predefined observation fields.
A wider field can be used for searching and situational awareness, while a narrower field provides additional detail for distant targets.
Continuous zoom lenses provide smooth changes between wide and narrow fields of view.
They are suitable for long-range surveillance, border monitoring, coastal observation and other systems that must search, track and observe targets at different distances.
Long-focal-length lenses are used when the security camera must observe relatively small targets at greater distances.
The focal length should be evaluated together with detector resolution, pixel pitch, aperture, atmospheric conditions and required target detail.
Please provide the detector manufacturer, model, resolution, pixel pitch and active area.
For cooled detectors, cold-shield parameters and the required F-number may also be necessary.
The focal length determines how much of the scene is covered by the detector.
A wide field of view covers a larger area, while a narrow field of view provides more pixels on a distant target.
Provide the approximate dimensions of the person, vehicle, vessel or object and the required observation distance.
IRLENS can use this information to evaluate a suitable focal length or zoom range. Final detection, recognition or identification performance must be verified at the complete camera-system level.
The F-number affects the amount of infrared energy reaching the detector and influences lens size and system performance.
The required F-number must be matched to the detector and camera architecture.
Please specify whether the system requires fixed focus, manual focus, motorized focus, predefined field switching or continuous zoom.
For motorized lenses, control voltage, communication requirements and position feedback should be discussed during development.
Provide the maximum permitted outer diameter, total length, back focal distance and mounting structure.
IRLENS can evaluate customized threads, flanges, housings and opto-mechanical interfaces for OEM projects.
Outdoor security cameras may face temperature variation, humidity, dust, vibration and other environmental factors.
The lens requirements should be coordinated with the complete camera enclosure and the customer’s validation standard.
Anti-reflection coatings can support infrared transmission, while DLC and other hard protective coatings may be considered for exposed optical surfaces where suitable.
Coating selection depends on the infrared material, waveband, required transmission and environmental conditions.
When a standard lens cannot meet the detector, field-of-view or installation requirements, IRLENS can develop a custom infrared lens for the security camera system.
The customization process may include:
Application and Requirement Review
Confirm the surveillance scenario, detector, target distance, focal length, F-number and environmental requirements.
Optical Design
Develop or optimize the optical system according to image quality, distortion, illumination, focal length and detector coverage.
Mechanical Structure Design
Design the housing, mounting interface, focus mechanism and zoom structure according to the available camera space.
Material and Coating Selection
Select suitable infrared optical materials and coatings based on the spectral band and working environment.
Prototype Manufacturing
Produce engineering samples for camera integration and imaging evaluation.
Assembly and Testing
Evaluate imaging quality, focus, optical-axis consistency and other agreed performance requirements.
Pilot Production
Support small-batch production after the engineering design has been approved.
Volume Production
Provide repeat manufacturing for approved thermal security camera and surveillance system projects.
Security camera manufacturers commonly begin with one or several samples to verify detector matching, field of view, image quality, focus control and mechanical installation.
After the lens has passed the system-level evaluation, the approved design can move into pilot production and repeat volume orders.
IRLENS provides optical design, structural design, infrared optical component processing, precision mechanical manufacturing, AR and DLC coating, assembly and inspection capabilities.
According to current company information, IRLENS has developed more than 1,400 infrared lens types and has an annual infrared lens production capacity of up to 50,000 pieces.
MWIR and LWIR lens development
Cooled and uncooled detector compatibility
Fixed-focus, athermalized and motorized lens options
Dual-FOV, multiple-FOV and continuous zoom configurations
Short-, medium- and long-focal-length solutions
Optical and mechanical structure design
Infrared optical component processing
AR, DLC, HD, reflective and filter coating capabilities
Precision lens assembly and adjustment
Image quality and optical-axis evaluation
Engineering sample and pilot-production support
Volume manufacturing for approved OEM projects
IRLENS does more than supply an individual catalogue lens. Our engineering team can evaluate the complete optical and mechanical requirements of your thermal security camera and develop a solution for repeat production.
| Required Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Security application | Perimeter, border, port, PTZ camera, mobile platform or other system |
| Target type | Person, vehicle, vessel or other object |
| Target dimensions | Approximate height and width |
| Observation distance | Required monitoring or detection distance |
| Spectral band | MWIR 3–5 μm or LWIR 8–14 μm |
| Detector model | Manufacturer and model number |
| Detector resolution | For example, 640 × 512 or 1280 × 1024 |
| Pixel pitch | For example, 12 μm, 15 μm or 17 μm |
| Detector type | Cooled or uncooled |
| Focal length | Fixed focal length or zoom range |
| Field of view | Required horizontal and vertical coverage |
| F-number | Required optical aperture |
| Focus method | Fixed, manual or motorized |
| Lens dimensions | Maximum diameter and total length |
| Mechanical interface | Mounting thread, flange and back focal distance |
| Operating temperature | Minimum and maximum temperature |
| Environmental requirements | Humidity, dust, vibration, shock or other conditions |
| Project stage | Concept, prototype, pilot production or mass production |
| Required quantity | Sample order, initial quantity and estimated annual demand |
Send your detector specifications, target distance and camera installation requirements to IRLENS. Our engineering team will evaluate whether an existing model can be used or a custom security camera lens is required.
A thermal camera detects infrared energy emitted by objects and does not require visible light or an infrared illuminator.
An infrared-illuminated camera usually detects reflected near-infrared light produced by an active illuminator. The two technologies use different detectors and lens materials.
The correct lens depends on the detector, monitoring width, camera position, target size and required distance.
Wide-angle LWIR lenses may be suitable for short perimeter sections, while longer focal lengths or zoom lenses may be required for large open areas.
Yes. IRLENS offers MWIR and LWIR continuous zoom lens configurations for different cooled and uncooled detector systems.
Please provide the required zoom range, detector specifications, target size and observation distance for evaluation.
Yes. Focal length, F-number, detector compatibility, mechanical interface, dimensions, focus method, zoom configuration and coatings can be evaluated according to the OEM project.
IRLENS can evaluate a suitable focal length when the detector format, pixel pitch, target dimensions, observation distance and required task are provided.
Final detection and identification performance should be confirmed through complete system testing.
Athermalized designs or motorized focus compensation may be considered according to the required temperature range.
Please provide the minimum and maximum operating temperatures during the project evaluation.
Yes. Engineering samples can be used to evaluate detector matching, field of view, image quality, mechanical installation and control functions before pilot or volume production.
Please provide the application, detector model, resolution, pixel pitch, focal length or field of view, target size, required distance, installation dimensions, operating environment and estimated order quantity.
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