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Title: A SIX-CAMERA DIGITAL VIDEO IMAGING SYSTEM SENSITIVE TO VISIBLE, RED EDGE, NEAR-INFRARED, AND MID-INFRARED WAVELENGTHS

Author
item Fletcher, Reginald
item Everitt, James

Submitted to: Geocarto International
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/28/2005
Publication Date: 6/15/2007
Citation: Fletcher, R.S., Everitt, J.H. 2007. A six-camera digital video imaging system sensitive to visible, red edge, near-infrared, and mid-infrared wavelengths. Geocarto International. 22(2):75-86.

Interpretive Summary: Airborne videographic, digital video, and true digital multispectral imaging systems have become popular remote sensing tools for evaluating natural resources because of the near-real time availability of the imagery, high spatial resolution of these systems, and immediate compatibility of the image data with computer systems. Using commercially available products, ARS scientists at Weslaco, Texas, have assembled a six-camera multispectral digital video imaging system for natural resource assessment. This system is unique because it obtains imagery in the blue, green, red, red edge, near-infrared, and mid-infrared regions of the light spectrum, allowing the system to be employed for numerous natural resource applications. Researchers, natural resource managers, and government agencies can use this system as a tool for evaluating and monitoring natural resources.

Technical Abstract: This paper describes a six-camera multispectral digital video imaging system designed for natural resource assessment and shows its potential as a research tool. It has five visible to near-infrared light sensitive cameras, one near-infrared to mid-infrared light sensitive camera, a monitor, a computer with a multichannel digitizing board, a keyboard, a power distributor, an amplifier, and a mouse. Each camera is fitted with a narrowband interference filter, allowing the system to obtain imagery in the blue (447-455 nm), green (555-565 nm), red (625-635 nm), red edge (704-716 nm), near-infrared (814-826 nm), and mid-infrared (1631-1676 nm) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Analog video acquired by this system is converted to digital format. Radiometric resolution of the imagery is 8-bit (pixel values range 0-255). Images obtained by the system can be evaluated individually and/or in combination with each other to assess natural resources.