Cheap camera captures pictures of crops
Traditionally, near-infrared (NIR) images of vegetation have been acquired from large-format cameras that are carried on manned aircraft. But due to their size and weight, it is infeasible to mount such imagers on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Traditionally, near-infrared (NIR) images of vegetation have been acquired from large-format cameras that are carried on manned aircraft. But due to their size and weight, it is infeasible to mount such imagers on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Now, a lightweight imager that can be used on small aircraft such as UAVs has been developed by researchers from the US Agricultural Research Service (ARS; Beltsville, MD, USA) and Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC; McLean, VA, USA).
To create the new imager, the ARS's Raymond Hunt and SAIC's David Linden took a commercial 12-Mpixel camera that did not have an internal hot-mirror filter to block NIR light and added a custom-made filter to block red light.
The patented technique allows the camera to capture images in the NIR, green, and blue spectra. The images from the camera -- which require no further post-processing -- can then be used to measure the "greenness" of vegetation and extent of crop canopy cover.
Hunt and Dean Hively, a US Geological Survey scientist stationed at Beltsville, have already found the images useful for detecting the extent of farmland in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed that is protected from soil erosion by winter wheat and other winter cover crops.
Featured Product
How cameras deliver sharp images despite changing distances
IDS Imaging Development Systems offers a range of models, from a webcam-like camera in industrial quality to a tiny autofocus camera that weighs just12 grams. The 13 MP autofocus camera uEye XC closes the market gap between industrial cameras and webcams. Setting up and operating only requires a cable connection. After that, the autofocus camera immediately delivers high-resolution, detailed images and videos. With the optionally available, quickly exchangeable macro lens, users can easily shorten the minimum object distance of the camera. This makes it also suitable for close-up applications. Focus from a distance of just 10 cm. The uEye XS is even more compact and fits into almost any application with its size of just 26.4 x 23 x 21.7 mm. Thanks to its autofocus and 5 MP CMOS sensor, it delivers consistently sharp images and videos from a distance of just 10 cm. When it comes to image quality, natural color reproduction and harmonious contrast are also decisive factors. IDS has therefore equipped the uEye XS with many other practical automatic features familiar from consumer technology. This includes white balance, exposure and gain. As a result, it delivers the best possible result in every situation.
