mica_dual.jpgMicaSense, a developer of drone sensors for precision agriculture, doubled the spectral resolution with the release of a new synchronized 10-band solution for advanced remote sensing to enable advanced remote sensing and vegetation research applications.

By capturing double the amount of spectral bands from previous products, the RedEdge-MX Dual Camera Imaging System combines the RedEdge-MX and the new RedEdge-MX Blue sensors, which features a new coastal blue band, a new green band, and three new bands in the red to red-edge region of the spectrum. According to MicaSense, this is the first solution capable of capturing the same bands as Landsat 8 and Sentinel satellites, enabling direct data comparison between satellite and drone data.

“Satellites and airborne multispectral cameras are not opposing technologies, in fact, the two sources of information are used to feed similar applications and their data can even be complementary,” MicaSense wrote in a blog post. “The main differences between satellites and multispectral cameras lay in the cost, the accessibility of the information, the spectral and spatial resolution, and the control someone can have over atmospheric phenomena like clouds.”

Compatible with the DJI Inspire 2, Matrice 200 series, Matrice 100/600 series, the solution includes an integrated quick mounting bracket and wiring harness, ensuring the 10-band kit is as simple to use as a single camera. Additionally, for those who own a RedEdge-MX, MicaSense offers an upgrade package to take full advantage of the 10-band offering.

MicaSense previous sensors have been used in a wide array of use cases, including archaeological surveys, detecting crop diseases sooner, identifying drainage tiles, and more. Pairing this new solution with standard data processing workflows, such as software from Pix4D or Agisoft, allows users to create 10-band, pixel-aligned datasets with unlimited analysis potential.

“We are pleased to offer new and existing customers the simplest and most cost-effective solution for an easy upgrade to their system for 10-bands of data. The RedEdge-MX Dual Camera System has resulted from tremendous market demand for expanding our existing 5-bands for correlations to lower-resolution satellite data, and the desire to have a plug-n-play solution for the most commonly used aircraft. Those considering hyperspectral for plant research should look at this solution first,” commented Eric Waters, MicaSense General Manager.

The Dual Camera Kit is now available for $10,750, or $6,250 for the RedEdge-MX Blue Upgrade Kit and is on display at the Commercial UAV Expo.