GoPhotonics interviewed Dr. Petko Dinev, the founder and CEO of Imperx Inc. Dr. Petko Dinev is a pioneer in advanced imaging and photonics technology. With a background in physics and decades of hands-on experience in high-performance camera systems, Dr. Dinev has driven innovation at the intersection of machine vision, defense, and industrial automation. His work has helped shape how modern imaging solutions are integrated into critical applications worldwide, from aerospace to smart manufacturing. Through Imperx, he continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in digital vision.
Q. Can you briefly share the history of Imperx and how the company has evolved over the years?
Petko Dinev: I founded the company in the summer of 2001, with the goal of becoming a dominant player in the global imaging market, developing innovative and reliable imaging products and solutions. Our first office opened in the spring of 2002. The first product, a laptop frame-grabber, was released in late 2001, and the main application was medical imaging. In the next couple of years, our portfolio of laptop frame grabbers rapidly expanded, and Imperx became a pioneer in the laptop frame-grabber market. In 2003, our first camera line, MDC, was released and rapidly gained popularity as a real 12-bit, low-noise camera line. Several years later, in mid-2006, we introduced our new fully programmable, field-upgradeable camera line – LYNX, which incorporated a 32-bit RISC processor, allowing us to add in our cameras and unite features.
For the first time, we were able to offer a firmware (FW) Library, allowing our customers to upgrade the camera FW in the field. With the rapid expansion of the FPGA capabilities and high-resolution CCD sensors, in 2009, MDC and LYNX lines were replaced by our next camera line, Bobcat, which became our dominant camera line until the obsolescence of the CCD sensors. Bobcat incorporated all the benefits of the predecessors and was designed to survive in an extreme temperature and vibration environment. Bobcat line was our first NASA Space Qualified camera platform, with more than 2000 cameras airborne and launched in space. With the availability of high-resolution global shutter CMOS sensors and the subsequent obsolescence of the CCD sensors, in 2015, we developed and released the first four cameras from our new Cheetah CMOS camera line. 10 years later, our Cheetah line has more than 50 camera models, incorporating a variety of CMOS sensors with resolutions from VGA to 127 Megapixels, delivering outstanding sensitivity and excellent image quality with speeds exceeding up to 500 frames per second. The platform is continuously expanding, and we are adding more sensor makers and new resolutions. In 2024, our first ”smart” camera incorporating an embedded Neural Network calculation engine was introduced, making the foundation of a new Smart, AI-enabled camera line - the Panther platform.
During our 24+ years in business, we developed multiple unique custom imaging solutions, most of which are still actively deployed. Our first custom airborne imaging system was deployed in 2004 during the war with Afghanistan. Several years later, Royal Duch Navy incorporated our cameras in a 360-degree Visible & IR, Ship and Harbor surveillance system. In 2008, we developed a custom camera for the Photonics mast of the US nuclear submarines, and the system was deployed in 2009. In 2012, our patented custom TDI camera was launched on a Low Orbit Satellite (LOS), and after that, we have more than 1000+ cameras launched in space. In 2014, a custom camera was deployed by United Launch Alliance (ULA) on Atlas and Delta rockets (first launch - September 14, 2014), for monitoring the engine performance, boosters, stage, and payload separation. In 2019, our camera landed on the Moon with SpaceIL mission. In 2020, Imperx became a NASA “Space Act” partner, and a custom camera was designed and developed for the new Artemis program. During the Artemis first mission on November 16, 2022, seven cameras were placed between the stages and on the exterior of the rocket to monitor and record the rocket booster and stage separation.
Currently, Imperx has 3 offices, one in Boca Raton Florida and two in Bulgaria, with internal manufacturing capabilities for mechanical parts, PCB assembly, test and product assembly and manufacturing. We have a global presence with numerous class A distributors and more than 1000 customers worldwide.
Q. What does Imperx’s current product portfolio look like, and what sets your CMOS and CCD camera lines apart in terms of features and applications?
LED PoE ring lightPetko Dinev: Imperx provides camera technologies and imaging solutions for a diverse range of industries, including automation, machine vision, inspection, scientific, astronomy, medical, traffic monitoring, security and defense, aerial (UAV, drone), space (LOS), and many more challenging areas of digital imaging. Our current portfolio includes more than 50 different models of Global Shutter CMOS Cameras, more than 10 different models of Frame Grabbers, several models of LED lights and Enclosures, along with numerous Embedded and Custom products and systems. Imperx products have a proven track record of reliability, they are high quality, dependable, and easy to use.
Imperx is offering frame-grabbers for desktops, laptops, and Single Board Computers (SBC), accepting video signals compliant with Camera Link®, SDI and HD-SDI, RS170, PAL, and NTSC standards. Imperx pioneered the laptop frame-grabber market.
Cheetah is our signature camera platform, based on CMOS sensors with resolutions from VGA to 127 Megapixels, offering a low noise < 2e RMS; high dynamic range > 70dB; P-Iris, V-Iris & Canon EOS control; TEC option; IP67/ IP69 housing. It is a NASA space-qualified platform with multiple cameras launched in space. The cameras are available in Monochrome and Bayer (RGBG, RGB+NIR) with a polarization support, and a wide spectral rage - UV (200-400) nm, Visible (400 nm - 1 μm), IR (400 nm - 1.7 μm), and output options: GigE Vision®, 10G, SPF+, U3V, CXP, 3G HD-SDI & Camera Link®. They are EMVA 1288 & Mil Spec 810F/G Compliant; built to last with MTBF > 320,000 hrs @ -40°C; designed to work in vacuum, in extended shock, vibration temperature range -40°C to +85°C.
All our cameras are field-upgradeable, with a variety of programmable processing features for Machine Vision, Precision Control, Airborne, and Space applications. These features and customizable options make our products a perfect choice for ALPR and ITS, Railroads, Highways, Tunnels, Bridges, Flat Panel & Solar Panel & Semiconductor Inspection, Machine Vision, Production line monitoring, Colorimetry, Medical, X-Ray, Pharmaceutical, High-end surveillance, Broadcast and Sporting Events, UAV’s, Aerial Mapping, Environmental monitoring, Military, Aerospace, Space, Satellites and Rocket Launch Vehicles.
Q. With the introduction of AI-enabled Panther Series cameras, how is Imperx integrating artificial intelligence into its imaging solutions?
Petko Dinev: Our Panther Smart Camera is the first of several cameras in our new AI-enabled camera line. It delivers advanced onboard machine vision capabilities - seamlessly integrating high-performance image classification and object detection into a single, compact device. Unlike conventional architectures that rely on a separate PC for AI processing, the Panther executes its neural network models entirely within the camera firmware. The camera’s deep learning core runs custom Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), allowing more freedom in selecting the layers to build neural networks, than the solutions relying on open-source models. The camera's on-board processor was selected to provide exceptional speed, minimizing the impact of processing time on the camera's frame rate. This allows customers to deploy a fully autonomous vision system, reducing footprint, latency, and total cost of ownership while improving reliability on the factory floor.
The Panther Smart Camera workflow begins with image capture: operators acquire representative samples directly from the camera, then label them- either by separating “acceptable” and “defective” images for classification tasks or by drawing bounding boxes and assigning class labels for object detection projects. These annotated datasets are fed into the AI1-P1911: 2.86 MP CMOS Deep Learning Smart Camera (PRELIMINARY)Panther Training Suite, which automatically performs data augmentation, hyper-parameter optimization, and validation to generate a compact, task-specific neural network model. During the training process, the camera enables real-time object identification, absence / presence detection, and classification directly at the edge while maintaining impressive frame rates. By eliminating latency, bandwidth limitations, and data security concerns associated with cloud-based processing, the camera supports a fully in-factory smart camera solution that doesn’t require a connection to the internet. Once training and validation are complete, the resulting model file is uploaded through the camera’s web interface or API, embedding it seamlessly into the on-board firmware. From that moment, the Panther executes real-time analysis on every new frame, delivering instant pass/fail decisions or precise object coordinates and class IDs, without the need for an external PC thereby streamlining deployment, reducing latency, power consumption and lowering total system cost.
Q. How does Imperx approach designing custom imaging solutions for clients with highly specific or demanding requirements?
Petko Dinev: Imperx has extensive experience with the development of custom imaging solutions and systems. Our first custom airborne imaging system was deployed in 2004, and after that, we have more than 300 custom solutions, where the customization can vary from modifying the existing hardware (HW), FW or software (SW) to creating a completely new product.
When designing custom imaging systems, it is very important to understand what the customer intention is, how the system will operate, what are the operating conditions (environmental, geographical, temperature, shock and vibe, humidity, stress level, etc.), how it will be used, and what is the desired size, shape, weight and power. Insisting on detailed SOW (Scope Of Work) is critical. Based on information provided, we select what approach to take – imaging sensors, FPGA, SoC, power modules, interface options, compression, etc.
It is also very important to select the proper resource allocation so you can meet the customer’s desired timeframe, without interfering with or delaying other projects. During the entire development process, keeping open communication with the customer is important. Regular meetings, design reviews and progress reports are critical. Typically, most of the custom solutions have a long live expectance, with a commitment for delivery and maintenance, normally 10+ years. After the product is released, it is our responsibility to track the parts’ availability. If the lead time suddenly increases, or a component is flagged to be obsolete, we have to advise the customer and discuss the possible solutions. Unfortunately, for our 24+ years in business, we faced a similar situation multiple times, not only for our custom products, but also with our regular ones.
Q. Your products are built to meet MIL-STD-810G standards. Why is this important, and how does it influence your design and testing process?
Petko Dinev: When I started the company in 2001, my goal was to create high-quality imaging products (frame grabbers and cameras). The main application market for these products was Medical and Machine Vision, where products very often operate in a control environment, so making them “ruggedized” was not on the table. One email changed this overnight. During the early phases of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, our laptop frame grabbers became popular for mobile imaging solutions, and different branches of the US Government started to use them. One day, we received an email from an army officer with a video clip attached. It was showing an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) being triggered and an army vehicle being flipped. In the email, the officer thanked us that our equipment was able to record (and survive) the blast, and now this recording will be shared among the troops and soldiers’ lives will be saved.
At this moment, we, as a company, realized that human lives might depend on what we make and how we make it. From this moment, for every product we design, the first requirement is to be able to operate in extreme temperature, shock and vibration conditions. Testing and verification of the design performance are very important steps in our process. We have a temperature chamber, where every product and every HW, FW or SW modification is tested to extreme conditions, even beyond what the specifications are. It is very common to test the product performance from -500C to +850C.
Q. What technical challenges come with developing rugged cameras for extreme environments, such as high/low temperatures, and how does Imperx address them?
Petko Dinev: Designing a camera that can operate equally well from -400C to +850C is not an easy task. First, we have to start with selecting the proper components – as a minimum, they all should be able to work within the specified temperature range. And here it comes the first challenge – not all ICs can do this. If there is no alternative solution, then we have to compensate for the deficiency with additional local heating or cooling schemes.
The most challenging task is to maintain a good image quality at high temperatures. The image sensor dark current doubles every 5 to 7 degrees, thus, the camera noise increases. In Imperx, we pay special attention to the camera power supply and how voltages are generated. The goal is to have all voltages generated with maximum efficiency, thus, the dissipated heat to be minimum. In addition, to avoid “hot spots” and “heat traps”, we are designing our camera boards in such way, so the power dissipation is almost equally spread among the camera boards. One additional challenge is to provide efficient heat dissipation, when the camera operates in a vacuum (in airborne platforms or satellites), where there is no air convection.
The camera’s robustness (i.e., its ability to withstand shock, vibration, extreme temperatures and weather) is a very important factor in airborne or space applications. The camera has to endure take-off, landing and turbulence, and operate in high temperature gradients during the fast ascent and descent. Because of this, we are studying the thermal expansion and contraction of the main camera components, in order to avoid the creation of regions with internal stress. In addition, during a fast descent, the camera HW will be subject to very high condensation because of the rapid reversed temperature change. The condensed water can damage the camera electronics, so special precautions have to be taken to avoid such damage.
Q. Imperx recently launched a new line of SWIR cameras. How do these expand your capabilities in industries like semiconductor inspection and food safety?
C1320: 1.31 MP SWIR CMOS Camera Link® (PRELIMINARY)Petko Dinev: SWIR (Short Wave InfraRed) is a part of the spectrum with wavelength ranging from 900 nm to 2500 nm. Because of the longer wavelength, the IR light can penetrate further than the visible light, thus making some objects (like skin, plastics, silicone, foods, etc.) transparent, allowing the user to see what is beneath the surface. SWIR light also can penetrate through rain, fog, smoke, i.e. improving visibility through obstacles and low light level scenes. In addition, because the absorption and reflection are wavelength dependent, using SWIR spectrum we can study and analyze vegetation and crop health, moisture in the soil, identifying contaminants, identifying internal processes in fruits and vegetables, property of materials, chemical compounds, internal defects in silicon wafers, and many more imaging opportunities, not possible with a visible light.
Our new VIS- SWIR cameras can capture images in both visible and SWIR spectrum (from 400 nm to 1700 nm), providing enhanced capabilities and broader range of applications – hyperspectral imaging, agriculture, industrial and material inspection, semiconductor, solar panels, security and surveillance, counterfeiting, medical, dental, ophthalmology, recycling, art inspection.
Q. Can you walk us through the development of the 127MP high-sensitivity TEC Cheetah camera? What were the biggest engineering challenges and breakthroughs?
Petko Dinev: To be honest, most of the challenges during the development of 127MP camera were mechanical in nature. Historically, all our cameras are designed as platforms, and our current Cheetah platform is no different. In the platform, we have a common processing module, we can add sensors with different resolutions on the front and different outputs on the back. We decided to start with the fastest output – CoaXPress (CXP), and once completed, adding different outputs like Camera Link, GigE Vision, and optical fiber (SFP+) will be relatively easy.
C0620-T: 0.33 MP SWIR CMOS GigE Vision® with Power over Ethernet (PoE) (PRELIMINARY)The first challenge was the sensor geometrical size – it was bigger than our biggest camera body size – 60 x 60 mm, so we had to design a new camera body, able to accept bigger sensors. Based on our customers' feedback, we identified two main applications for this camera – flat panel inspection and aerospace. Both applications have different requirements, so our goal was to create a mechanical design that can accommodate both with minimum differences. For flat panel inspection the sensor temperature has to be maintained within certain range, which means adding a TEC and a fan.
For aerospace, using a fan is not applicable, since the product operates in a vacuum and there is no air convection. Because 127MP camera has to operate from -400C to +850C, and the body size is bigger, we had to pay special attention to thermal expansions and contractions, and to make sure that no internal stress can occur. This is really important for the sensor because of the big die size, especially in LOS applications. When the satellite is facing the Sun, the body temperature can exceed +1000C, when in the opposite position – the temperature can go below –900C. If we keep in mind that at ~500 km orbit, it takes ~90 minutes to circle the Earth, any expansion/contraction differences in the opposite sides of the sensor mechanical fixtures, can lead to fracture in the sensors’ ceramic body, thus permanently damaging the sensor and the entire imaging system.
Q. Imperx serves diverse markets such as aerospace, medical imaging, and industrial automation. How do you tailor your approach for different industries and global regions?
Petko Dinev: SPC-S2010: 2 MP CMOS Ruggedized camera
series
Our current signature camera platform Cheetah is designed to be FW upgradeable, modular and highly customizable. This makes it very easy to add new sensors or new output interfaces, keeping the same camera core engine. Over the years we gained significant experience with product customizations and addressing customer needs. We have a big FW library, which allows us to use the same camera hardware and with only FW and/or SW changes, to re-program the camera performance and processing capabilities.
We are providing our customers with camera configuration software, which allows the camera FW / SW to be changed in the field as many times as needed, thus tailoring the camera to any customer or application. If a new camera feature or processing algorithms / capabilities are needed, we can develop and test these new features and email the new FW to the customer. The camera can be upgraded on the field, regardless of the geographical location. For our aerospace customers, we can upgrade the camera processing engine while the camera is flying. We are in constant communication with our customers and distributors, and always trying to be proactive, to understand the customer needs and to find an adequate solution.
Q. Looking ahead, what does the product roadmap for Imperx look like over the next 2-3 years? Are there any key innovations or markets you're targeting?
Petko Dinev: While our Cheetah platform incorporates several unique features tailored to reduce system complexity, maximize interface bandwidth, and address the most demanding customer needs, Imperx is continuously improving the camera performance by adding new sensors, features and options. We are planning to expand our HD-SDI camera models with additional IP67 and IP69 enclosure options, along with 4K@30 support, adding 6G and 12G interfaces. We will be expanding our spectral range with more VIS-SWIR sensors, making the cameras excellent solution hyperspectral and scientific imaging, and aerospace applications. We will be expanding our Panter AI camera line, adding more sensor resolutions, expanded spectral range, polarization options and optimizing the speed of the embedded neural network.
Along with our standard products we will continue the development of custom imaging solutions for machine vision, airborne and space applications, providing unique solutions and addressing the demanding needs of our new and existing customers.
About Imperx
IMPERX is a global leader in ruggedized digital camera and imaging system design, known for delivering high-quality, technologically advanced solutions across diverse industries. With over 40 years of industry expertise, the company specializes in developing durable, customizable imaging products for applications in aerospace, automation, transportation, medical and life sciences, robotics, security, energy, and government sectors. IMPERX is recognized for its world-class engineering, commitment to quality, and strong customer collaboration, consistently offering exceptional technical support and service.
