UAS Captures Near-infra-red Mapping Data

DroneMetrex has announced that near-infra-red (NIR) mapping data has been captured with the TopoDrone-100. The radiometric quality has been achieved because DroneMetrex specialists performed the necessary camera modifications and have designed the external filters specifically to match the requirements for accurate, discriminative vegetation mapping. According to DroneMetrex, this is the first time in the UAV’s mapping history that NIR imagery has been captured at this level of quality.

From the one flight sortie, TopoDrone-100 users are able to perform vegetation analysis mapping as well as 3D contours/DTM mapping. DroneMetrex offers their Extended Spectrum Mapping (ESM) camera modification as an option with the TopoDrone-100. After ESM modification, the camera is supplied with 3 external screw-on lens filters. Using simultaneously the NIR filter and also high-accuracy L1/L2/L5/GLONASS/COMPASS (BeiDou-2) PPK Direct Georeferencing Solution  the TopoDrone-100 captures 3-band imagery, with the near infra-red band recording unparalleled radiometric quality and chlorophyll discrimination.

High-quality NIR data serves as a tool to detect chlorophyll and because chlorophyll is emitted by all vegetation to different degrees, experts from Land and Forest Departments, Agronomists, Vignerons and Pastoralists will be able to:

•             discriminate between health and vigour of vegetation

•             discriminate between different types of vegetation

•             it will also provide excellent cues to vegetation stress, disease, pest infection, irrigation faults, nutrient variations etc.