Capabilities
Our experienced team can provide bespoke and semi-custom solutions for a wide variety of high-performance imaging problems.
Capabilities
Overview
Diffraction Limited designs and manufactures high-performance imaging systems for demanding scientific and industrial applications.
Our expertise spans the complete imaging chain—from sensor integration and low-noise analog design to thermal control, FPGA-based data acquisition, and system-level integration. We work with customers to develop reliable, production-ready systems optimized for performance, stability, and long-term operation.
Sensor Integration & Analog Design
We design imaging electronics optimized for CMOS, CCD, and SWIR sensors, with a strong focus on low-noise performance and signal integrity.
Capabilities include:
- Low-noise analog front-end design
- Precision biasing and clocking
- High dynamic range acquisition
- Optimization for low-light and long-exposure imaging
Our designs are informed by decades of experience in photon-limited imaging environments.
FPGA & High-Speed Digital Systems
We implement FPGA-based architectures for sensor readout, data processing, and high-speed data transfer.
Capabilities include:
- Custom sensor readout pipelines
- Memory buffering and burst capture
- Continuous acquisition systems
- High-speed interfaces (e.g., LVDS, SLVS-EC, Ethernet)
Our designs are optimized for reliable, real-time data acquisition in high-bandwidth applications.
Embedded Control & Firmware
Embedded systems coordinate sensor operation, thermal control, and system monitoring.
Capabilities include:
- Firmware for sensor control and configuration
- Environmental monitoring and system diagnostics
- RTOS-based system architectures where appropriate
- Host interfaces and API integration
Firmware is designed for stability, flexibility, and long-term maintainability.
Thermal Systems
Thermal management is fundamental to imaging performance. We develop cooling systems that enable stable, low-noise operation across a wide range of environments.
Capabilities include:
- Multi-stage thermoelectric (TEC) cooling
- Precise temperature regulation and stability to 0.1C
- Heat extraction and thermal path optimization
- Designs for both laboratory and outdoor deployment
- Cooling delta of -40C to -60C for high-performance imaging systems
These systems support long-exposure imaging and consistent performance over extended operating periods.
Mechanical & System Integration
We develop complete systems with careful attention to mechanical design, thermal paths, and optical integration.
Capabilities include:
- Compact and robust packaging
- Optical interface alignment and stability
- Environmental sealing for outdoor use
- Design for manufacturability and production
Our approach ensures consistent performance from prototype through production.
Astronomy-Grade Performance
Our engineering approach is rooted in astronomy imaging, where systems must operate at the limits of detectability.
This experience translates directly to:
- Detection of extremely low signal levels
- Read noise as low as ~ 1 electron / pixel
- Stable performance over long exposure times
- Careful management of noise sources and thermal effects
- Repeatable, calibrated measurements
These same principles apply to scientific, industrial, and OEM imaging systems where performance margins are critical.
System-Level Expertise
We design complete imaging systems, not just individual components.
Typical system architecture includes:
- Image sensor and analog front-end
- Data conversion and FPGA processing
- Memory buffering and data transport
- Thermal control systems
- Mechanical and environmental integration
This system-level perspective ensures that all elements work together to achieve the required performance.
Discuss Your Project
If you are developing an imaging system or integrating a new sensor, we can help define and implement the right solution.
Fill our our Contact Form below to discuss your imaging requirements.
