MINI-MCA (Miniature Multi-Camera Array)
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The Mini-MCA is a lightweight, compact version of the MCA (Multiple Camera Array) imaging system. The outstanding feature of the Mini-MCA is that it is customizable. Users can equip a Mini-MCA camera with specific narrow-band filter combinations of their own choosing in order to, for example, differentiate between stressed and healthy vegetation of a specific species. And, because Mini-MCA filters may be changed in the field, these systems may be re-purposed again and again to detect different wavelengths at different times for different purposes. Mini-MCAs are available in three standard models identified as the Mini-MCA4, Mini-MCA6 and Mini-MCA12. These capture four, six and twelve channels respectively of 10 bit SXGA (1.3 megapixel) data. Each Mini-MCA channel has it's own image sensor/bandpass filter/lens combination mounted in a common, factory aligned optical block. |
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The camera's image sensor's output is optimized for receipt of wavelengths around approximately 800nm dropping in a smooth curve to 20% peak output at 450 nm in the visible spectrum and 1050 nm in the near-infrared at the limits of its range. A graph of the sensitivity of the camera's image sensor to impinging radiation is shown below. By choosing a specific narrow band optical filter that is within the sensor's range to place in front of each channel's image sensor, the radiation that is able to reach each sensor may be restricted to a specific narrow band of wavelengths. In this way, specific filter combinations may be selected that allow the Mini-MCA to expose differences between stressed and healthy vegetation (see example graph below), individual plant species, different stages of growth of a single species or to determine the presence or absence of a specific chemical compound identifiable by its own unique spectral signature. Note: an excellent reference describing the unique spectral signatures of numerous plant species is "Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of Vegetation" by Prasad Thenkabail, et al. available from Tetracam). For an additional spectral resource for minerals, man-made materials and vegetation, reference the USGS Spectral Libtrary at http://speclab.cr.usgs.gov/spectral.lib06/ds231/datatable.html or selectred readings at http://www.tetracam.com/Support.htm
Alternatively, the Mini MCA may be set up to monitor specific bands of wavelengths from which vegetation indices may be extracted. For example, the standard configuration of a Mini-MCA4 includes filters that approximate four of the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) bands corresponding to:
These provide information needed for extraction of NDVI, SAVI and other indices. The filter pass bands provided with the unit are customer designated at the time of order. These may be easily changed in the field. Filters approximating TM bands 1 - 4 are included in the price of the unit (see Specifications below). Alternative band pass filters are available upon request with prices provided via a quotation. See chart here (courtesy of Geo-Konzept of Germany) for a broader list of the center wavelengths of common filters used to derive more vegetation indices.
Mini-MCA (with 9.6 mm Lens) Ground Resolution & FOV Examples
Mini-MCA image systems feature fast USB interfaces (located behind access panel on the Mini-MCA) and non-volatile image storage on standard Compact Flash cards (one per channel). Software supplied with the camera provides full camera control as well as image management and analysis. The system can be connected to an external GPS receiver speaking NMEA sentences. Camera coordinates at capture time are then attached to the image data and later recovered using the PixelWrench2 software.
Due to it's specialized nature, the Mini-MCA is built to order. Please contact us for more information regarding configuration options and pricing. Typical Availability: 3 to 4 weeks - faster turnaround times are often possible so please call to confirm.
Features and Specifications |
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Features |
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Specifications |
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Mechanical Drawings and Photos
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MIni-MCA6 Multispectral Images |
Smart NDVI cameras are multispectral cameras for precision agriculture that can calculate vegetation indices and create false
color NDVI images without the use of an image processing program accessory.
Precision Farming and Forestry need multispectral camera and NDVI camera images to create orthomosaic maps
that allow interventions to be optimized. NDVI phenocameras that can perform time lapse photography are best for slow growing flora, while faster
growing commercial harvests are best served by airborne NDVI mapping cameras.