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ADC Lite
Tetracam's
Lightweight ADC
Ideal for
Unmanned Aircraft
Call for Availability * Overview
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Ground
Resolution and Field of View
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System
Controls and Connections
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Camera
Triggering
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System
Contents
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System
Availability
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Options
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System
Features and Specifications
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Additional
Reference Information
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Image Example
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Macaw |
ILS |
ADC Lite |
ADC Micro |
ADC Snap |
µ-MCA |
RGB+3 |
Single Band/UV |
Thermal IR |
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Click on the
Appropriate Icon Above to View Detailed Notes
on that System.
Scroll down to View Notes on the
ADC Lite.
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Overview The
ADC Lite is a lightweight (7 ounce) version of our ADC Air Camera. This
model's light weight qualifies it as an ideal solution for applications
in which weight is a critical factor (such as on board
small-payload-carrying unmanned aerial vehicles). The ADC Lite contains
a single 3.2 megapixel sensor optimized for capture of visible light
wavelengths longer than 520 nm and near-infrared wavelengths up to 920
nm.
The camera and
its accompanying software, PixelWrench2, are ideally suited for capturing and
processing multi-spectral images of crops and forests and studying a variety of
eco-systems.
PixelWrench2 provides color processing of Tetracam RAW and DCM files, complex batch processing tools, the ability to extract
a variety of vegetation indices and a comprehensive suite of image editing tools. Refer to
our
Multispectral Crop and Application Database or
Selected Readings for descriptions of
example applications.
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ADC Lite (with 8.0 mm Lens)
Ground Resolution & FOV Examples
The
ADC Lite's field of view (FOV) is laid out in a 4:3 format. When
carried in a manned or unmanned aircraft, the field of view increases
as the above ground level (AGL) altitude increases. As the
altitude increases, the camera's ability to resolve individual details
on the ground decreases. With its standard 8.0 mm lens,
when flown at altitude of 400 feet above ground level, this camera
creates an image large enough to capture 1.85 acres at a resolution of
less than two inches per pixel in a single shot!
| Sensor & Lens Parameters |
Object Distance
(Altitude Above Ground Level in meters)
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Ground Resolution
in mm per pixel |
FOV
(width x height)
in meters |
The
values shown at right were derived from the FOV (Field of View) Optical
Calculator contained in Tetracam's PixelWrench2 software (included with
this camera) using the current values for this camera shown
below:
Sensor Dimensions (mm): 6.55 x 4.92
Pixel Size (microns): 3.2
Camera Lens Focal Length (mm): 8.0 |
122 m (~ 400 ft) |
48.8 |
100 x 75 |
213.4 m (~ 700 ft) |
85.4 |
175 x 131 |
365.8 m (~ 1200 ft) |
146.3 |
300 x 225 |
915 m (~ 3000 ft) |
366 |
749 x 563 |
System Controls and Connections
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ADC Lite Control
The
ADC Lite is designed to maximize the endurance of small unmanned
aircraft systems. Consequently, the system omits the rear liquid
crystal display and in-camera batteries of the ADC. User control
of the ADC Lite is accomplished through hierarchical system menus such
as the one shown at left. These are accessible via the system software
(PixelWrench2) running on a Windows computer connected to the camera
through its USB interface. The system menus present users with a series
of configuration choices. Scrolling through and selecting these
configures the camera. The indented button atop the ADC Lite acts
as a shutter release for the camera. |
ADC Lite Connections
The
ADC Lite's USB connector is located on the side of the unit. To
its left, the camera contains a Video Out connector. This may be used
to output system menus, the camera's current view and status or
captured images to a remote receiver via a wire or telemetry. The
camera contains an RS232 link that may be connected to a GPS
receiver for capturing the precise GPS coordinates at the exact instant
that an image is captured. Lastly, the camera contains a external
Trigger connector. An External Trigger Cable (un-terminated on
one end) is provided with the system for remotely triggering the camera
to capture images. Closing the connection between the RING and
the TIP on the provided cable causes the camera to trigger (reference TYPICAL EXTERNAL TRIGGER CIRCUIT for further details). The ADC Lite may also be triggered in a variety of other ways - see below.
In the lab, the ADC Lite obtains all of its power from an external 12VDC power supply supplied with the unit. An
un-terminated external power cable is also provided if power is to supplied from an unmanned aerial vehicle.
Unlike all of Tetracam's other camera models,
only the ADC Lite
lacks a Multi-IO connector (externally). A Multi-IO jack is available inside the ADC Lite for
custom applications.
Information on Tetracam Multi-IO connectors is shown on our
web site here.
Check out the User Manual below for precise descriptions of all ADC Lite controls and connections.
Standard System Contents
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System Contents Includes:
ADC Lite Camera
2GB CF memory card
8.0 mm "C" mount lens
Rugged Pelican Carrying Case
12 VDC external power supply
External power cable (un-terminated on one end)
External Trigger Cable (un-terminated on one end)
USB Cable
White Teflon Calibration Plate (AKA Calibration tag or
Software Calibration Tile)
System CD with PixelWrench2 software (PW2)
(See additional CD contents at right)
Typical Availability:
2 to 3 weeks (although faster turnaround times are often
possible). Please contact us for more information regarding
configuration options, pricing and availability.
Options Commonly Purchased with this Product:
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Features and Specifications
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 Features
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 Specifications |
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High resolution and precise spectral accuracy
Simple operation and control
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Red, Green and NIR bands (approximating
TM2, TM3 and TM4) provide the information needed
for
extraction of
NDVI, SAVI, canopy segmentation and
NIR / Green ratios
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Ultra lightweight (7oz)
composite housing ideal for UAV or weight-critical applications
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Remote power and display features for optimized
placement on the remote vehicles
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Video out in PAL or NTSC format
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GPS-logging of captured images with external receiver
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User interchangeable optics
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The optional
SensorLink
GPS waypoint triggering
application enables camera triggering at pre-defined
waypoints
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Uses standard Compact Flash Memory cards (standard = 2 GB Optional = up to 256 GB)
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Powerful PixelWrench2 image editing
software with tools specific to multi-spectral images and Tetracam cameras (see Tetracam Application Software Overview for further details)
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Multiple Camera Triggering Methods
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Shutter
Release: A small button atop the ADC Lite may be depressed with a
ball-point pen or similar device. The button acts as a shutter
release for the camera.
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Auto-Timer: The ADC Lite
may be configured to capture images continuously at intervals specified by
the user via the camera's system menus.
Press the Shutter Release or trigger the camera via one of the methods
below to begin continuously capturing images. Press the Shutter
Release or trigger the camera again to stop continuous capture of images.
Always stop continuously capturing images by pressing the Shutter Release
or via a trigger command prior to powering the camera off.
Interruption of power during continuous capture of images may damage the
camera.
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External Remote Trigger:
Closing
the connection between the RING and the TIP on the included External
Trigger Cable causes the camera to trigger (reference TYPICAL EXTERNAL TRIGGER CIRCUIT for further details).
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Computer Triggering: The camera may be triggered through its USB interface. Optional GetShot software enables remote triggering
under command of a linked computer. Optional
SensorLink
GPS waypoint triggering
application enables camera triggering at pre-defined waypoints - a popular method used in manned aircraft.
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RS-232
Triggering: The camera may be commanded to trigger by receiving
an <ESC> T command via its RS232 serial interface. Due to
the delays incumbent in a serial link, the RS232 link is more commonly
used to transfer GPS position coordinates to the camera at camera
trigger time. When the camera is connected to a GPS receiver via its
RS232 link, the camera records the coordinates of the location at which
each image is captured into its log file upon receiving any camera
trigger command.
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Superior Low Noise Image Sensor
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3.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor (2048 x 1536 pixels)
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Green, Red and NIR sensitivity with bands approximately equal to
TM2, TM3 and TM4.
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Image storage to Compact Flash in Tetracam 10 bit DCM lossless,
8 bit RAW, and 10 bit RAW formats.
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Camera body CS lens mount system with C mount adapter is compatible with thousands of available lenses.
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Camera supplied with a 8.0 mm lens
Optional 4.5 - 12 mm varifocal lenses may be substituted
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Only member of the ADC family lacking
Multi-I/O connector
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Image Capture
Capacity:
Up to
~3 MB per image (DCM format), limited only by CF card size.
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Maximum Image
Capture Rate: Approximately 1.0 to 7.5 Seconds between
consecutive images depending upon image format and resolution selected - See
Interval
Tables
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Inputs:
+ 9 VDC to + 12 VDC (300 mA) Center Positive
RS-232 dedicated to capture of NMEA GPS sentences.
External Trigger
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Power Consumption
Two watts nominal
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Outputs:
Real time NTSC or PAL Video for both viewfinder and menu operations.
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Data Interface:
USB 1.1
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Environmental
- Note: the camera will operate outside of the recommended
environmental range, however performance may be degraded.
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Temperature
0 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius (32 degrees
Fahrenheit to 104 degrees Fahrenheit)
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Humidity
Less than 85% relative humidity, non-condensing
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Dimensions:
4.5 in. x 3.0 in. x 0.87 in. (114 mm x 77 mm x 22 mm) without the
8.0 mm lens.
4.5 in. x 3.0 in. x 2.38 in. (114 mm x 77 mm x 60.5 mm) with
8.0 mm lens. (See link to drawings below)
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Weight
200 g. (7.0 oz.)
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Mount:
4 Shock mount attachment points
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Additional ADC Lite Reference
Information
Example
ADC Lite Multispectral Image |
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Aerial Crop Photo taken with ADC Lite |
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