How Can Miniature Infrared LEDs Enhance Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS & OMS)?

Why IR LEDs Are Essential for Driver Monitoring Systems and Occupant Monitoring Systems?

Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) are now mandatory for newly manufactured vehicles in Europe and Japan. While there are currently no regulations requiring vehicles to be equipped with Occupant Monitoring Systems (OMS), their importance is rapidly increasing—especially in scenarios involving child presence detection and in-cabin safety. As a result, several regions in Europe and Asia are actively working to implement relevant standards. These systems rely on infrared (IR) illumination to provide sufficient lighting for cameras to capture clear footage under various lighting conditions.

DMS: Precision Tracking

DMS uses infrared (IR) LEDs to monitor the driver’s eye movement, head position, and level of alertness, helping to prevent accidents caused by drowsiness or distraction. The use of 940nm IR LEDs ensures reliable visibility even in low-light or nighttime conditions, while the invisible light they emit provides a more comfortable driving experience for the driver.

OMS: Full Cabin Awareness

OMS extends monitoring to the entire cabin, detecting passenger presence, seatbelt usage, and unattended children or pets. This requires wide-angle IR illumination to ensure consistent performance across all seats.

Why Infrared (IR) LEDs?

Infrared (IR) LEDs provide non-intrusive, consistent lighting for sensors—essential for clear image capture in all lighting conditions.

Key wavelengths:

• 850nm: Higher power with faint red glow; good for long-range sensing
  
  

• 940nm: Invisible to the human eye; ideal for user-facing systems like DMS
  
  

With infrared (IR) LEDs, DMS and OMS maintain 24/7 reliability, supporting driver safety and passenger well-being without distraction.

Compact Integration: The Value of Miniature IR LEDs

As automotive interiors get sleeker, space for sensing components becomes more limited. Miniature IR LEDs are critical to enabling slim, modular system designs.

• Embedded seamlessly into steering columns, mirrors, or dashboards
  
  

• Support dual-function modules (e.g., DMS + OMS, or DMS + gesture control)
  
  

• Reduce the need for bulky mechanical housing
  
  

Real-World Example

The Brightek HL1616F94CQ01 is one of the smallest high-power IR LEDs available, optimized for space-constrained areas without sacrificing performance.

This allows OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to develop compact, integrated cockpit solutions without compromising safety or user experience.

Safety & Eye-Tracking Accuracy in Driver-Facing Systems

One of the most crucial functions of IR-based DMS is accurate eye-tracking that doesn’t compromise driver comfort. Brightek’s 940nm infrared LEDs are IEC 62471 eye-safety qualified and are available in various beam angles to meet different automotive design requirements, ensuring sufficient illumination for cameras to capture precise images: 

• Eye position and movement
  
  

• Head pose estimation
  
  

• Driver attention level
  

Advanced Features for Smart Cockpits

Today’s vehicles are evolving into multi-modal smart environments, where one sensor can support multiple functions.

Brightek’s narrow-beam IR LEDs are engineered for focused, high-resolution detection, making them ideal for DMS (Driving Monitoring System)

• Drowsy driver detection

• Gaze tracking and distraction warning

• Driver identification

Brightek’s narrow-beam IR LEDs for DMS: 

Power Dome LED 1616 80°	Power Dome LED 3838 40°/50°	Power Asymmetric LED 3838 45°x 25°	Power Dome LED 3838 80°/90°
80°	50°	45°/25°	80°/90°

OMS (Occupant Monitoring System),

Brightek’s infrared LEDs offer:

• Larger beam angle
  
  

• Better Illumination Uniformity
  
  

• Available in 1.6 x 1.6 X 0.81 mm and 3.85 x 3.85 X 1.51 mm footprint
  
  

Brightek’s IR LEDs for OMS

Power Flat LED 1616 130°	Power Dome LED 3838 130°/150°	Power Asymmetirc LED 3838 150°x90°
130°	130°/150°	150°/90°

Cost, Power Efficiency, and Scalability

Automakers are always seeking ways to balance performance with affordability, especially when deploying DMS and OMS across different vehicle tiers.

Miniature IR LEDs like the Brightek 1616 Series support this goal by offering:

• Compact Size: Only 1/4 the size of the 3838, ideal for space-constrained applications
  
  

• High Brightness: while offering 85% of the brightness compared to the 3838 IR LED
  
  

• High-Power Capability: The smallest high-power product supporting forward currents of up to 1A.

Certified for Automotive Reliability

Every IR LED in Brightek’s DMS/OMS portfolio is:

• AEC-Q102 qualified: Ensures durability under extreme automotive conditions
  
  

• IEC 62471 qualified: Eye-safe for in-cabin use
  
  

• Engineered with 2kV ESD protection and Class 3B corrosion resistance
  
  

This means consistent system performance across challenging environment such as night driving.

Brightek’s DMS-Focused IR LED Portfolio

Brightek delivers a specialized range of miniature IR LEDs designed to meet the precise demands of Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS). These compact, high-performance emitters support seamless integration into space-limited modules without sacrificing output power, beam control, or automotive reliability.

Power Dome LED 1616 80°

Known as one of the “smallest high-power IR LEDs” in the industry, the HE1616F94CQ01 offers:

• 820 mW/sr radiant intensity
  
  

• 80° viewing angle, ideal for DMS modules
  
  

• 940nm wavelength, invisible to the human eye
  
  

• Compact 1.6 x 1.6 mm size, perfect for tight automotive spaces
  
  

It meets AEC-Q102 requirements and is built for reliable, eye-safe performance in interior sensing applications.

Its wide beam is especially useful in multi-function modules that combine DMS with gesture or attention tracking.

All models are automotive-grade (AEC-Q102 certified) and IEC 62471 eye-safety compliant, ensuring high reliability and user safety. Brightek also offers flexible lens options, including dome, narrow, and flat surface-mount types, allowing engineers to fine-tune output direction and distribution based on specific system layouts.

As a trusted automotive IR LED supplier, Brightek enables OEMs and Tier 1s to build smarter, more compact, and regulation-ready DMS solutions across all vehicle segments.