Guide
Driver Monitoring IR Illumination: 850 nm vs 940 nm
850 nm
Faint red glow visible
940 nm
Effectively invisible
Illustration of a human viewing the emitter in the dark.
Design checklist
- Check camera quantum efficiency at 850 and 940 nm.
- Decide whether any visible glow is acceptable to the driver.
- Size emitter count and drive current for range and thermal limits.
- Validate eye-safety limits for the full optical assembly.
FAQs
Which wavelength is best for driver monitoring?+
940 nm is popular where the illuminator must stay invisible. 850 nm is chosen when sensor sensitivity and range matter more than glow.
Can MANULED bare die be pulsed for DMS cameras?+
Pulsed drive must stay within datasheet absolute maximums and your thermal design. Contact sales to discuss your duty cycle.