First, there are two main types of LEDs widely used in IR. Surface Mounted Devices (SMD) are best suited for cost-efficient large scale automated manufacturing. SMDs are directly attached to a PCB and enable designs that require LED cooling for high DC currents. ams OSRAM has a wide variety of packages suited for various application requirements and in almost all cases, these SMD packages allow higher light output per real state on the PCB. Interestingly, the smallest package SYNIOS®, also belongs to the strongest light output class. Through-Hole LEDs do have their advantages as well. They can be connected directly to a wire, avoiding the cost of a PCB if only low DC currents are necessary or when the LED is used in pulsed mode. Through-Hole LEDs from ams OSRAM are eligible with integrated optics that collimate the beam to as low as only ±3° and offer a very compact, highly directional light source. This is especially necessary if the customer needs a small field of view to still get a large illumination range. Through-Hole LEDs from ams OSRAM are manufactured with flexible copper that does not break easily and is extremely durable even in harsh environments, when compared to other through-hole brands; generally the best choice for applications with high reliability requirements. ams OSRAM supports long term designs with through-hole products that are available for several years. If the customer wants to avoid the use of a PCB or if one needs strongly collimated light, the customer will want to consider a through-hole LED. If, on top of that, the customer needs high reliability, one will probably end up choosing a through-hole device from ams OSRAM.