In palm vein biometric projects, many teams put their attention on algorithms, accuracy, and system integration. But what often breaks a project in real deployment is not software, it is power.
Without stable power, even the best palm vein algorithm cannot work reliably.
From Simple IR to Dual-Mode IR + RGB
Traditional IR-only palm vein scanners consume little power.
Around 1A is usually enough for basic IR palm vein devices.
Today, many projects use IR + RGB dual-mode palm vein technology.
These devices scan internal veins with infrared and surface features with RGB at the same time.
This improves security and accuracy, but also increases power demand.
To support both modules, the scanner typically needs at least 5V, 1.5A.
The Power Mismatch in Real Devices
Most host devices cannot provide this level of power.
Android phones, tablets, Windows PCs, Linux terminals, and embedded systems usually output less than 1.5A via USB.
When power is insufficient, teams face:
- Unstable device connection
- Random shutdown or freezing
- Failed recognition
- Poor user experience
These are not algorithm defects.
They are power design problems.
The “Add a Hub” Idea and Its Hidden Risks
Some teams try to solve this by adding a powered USB hub.
This looks simple, but in practice it creates new risks:
- USB hubs wear out easily and often fail after months of use
- Hubs rely on chargers that must support over 2A input and output
- Weak chargers still cause power issues
- Extra cables and hardware increase failure points
- Field conditions make hubs fail faster than expected
So while a hub may work in testing, it is rarely a stable long-term solution.
Why This Gets Missed in Early Testing
In labs, scanners are powered by strong adapters or development boards.
But in real projects, scanners are connected to:
- Mobile phones
- Tablets
- Industrial terminals
- Embedded devices
These systems were never designed to power high-performance biometric hardware.
That is why many palm vein projects fail not because of biometric technology, but because of hardware power design.
X-Telcom’s Approach
At X-Telcom, we design palm vein hardware for real deployment.
To address the power challenge of IR + RGB palm vein scanners, we created PalmVein01 Pro.
PalmVein01 Pro is a self-powered USB palm vein scanner with a built-in battery.
It works independently and does not rely on power from the host device.
Even if the host device cannot provide enough USB power, PalmVein01 Pro still runs stably.
Key Features
- Built-in battery for independent power
- 6–8 hours continuous operation
- No battery drain on host device
- Works with Android, Windows, and Linux
- Separate Type-C port for charging while working
Why Stable Power Changes Everything
Stable power delivers:
- Reliable recognition
- Stable system connection
- Consistent user experience
- Lower maintenance cost
- Higher project success rate
In real-world deployment, stability is more important than lab performance.
Final View
Palm vein systems are moving from IR to IR + RGB.
Accuracy and security are rising, but so are power requirements.
Trying to fix power problems with hubs and adapters only adds more risk.
The real solution is to build power stability into the device itself.
That is the principle behind X-Telcom’s palm vein hardware design.
Learn more from: https://x-telcom.com/palm-vein-reader/
