Remote Sensing: Measure vegetation reflectance accurately, automatically and remotely with the UniSpec-DC

For simultaneous measurement of both incident and reflected light under any sky conditions - including clouds No laptop required!

UniSpec-DC Spectral Analysis System The UniSpec-DC is a dual channel, field portable instrument capable of unattended, simultaneous measurement of incident and reflected light. It allows sampling under any sky conditions, including clouds. Recent studies have shown that narrow band spectral indices can track diurnal and seasonal trends in both leaf to stand-level photosynthetic activity and can detect periods of photosynthetic down-regulation due to water, nutrient and temperature stress. Additional studies suggest that thermal bands, particularly when combined with optical remote sensing, may be able to provide additional information on the degree of photosynthetic down-regulation under water stress. Perhaps even more significant is the possibility that the controls on respiratory carbon flux can also be revealed through a combination of remote sensing tools that includes the UniSpec-DC.

Common System Applications
Remote Sensing	Ground Truthing	Landscape Cover

 

 

UniSpec-DC foreoptics interface (ChA/ChB), serial and USB ports, PCMCIA port, auxiliary connector and system power

 

 

The heart of the UniSpec-DC are two high precision, synchronized, miniature photodiode array detectors that feature high sensitivity, repeatability and long term calibration stability.  The detectors are compact, sensitive to light and insensitive to external influences (i.e. temperature) making it an ideal unit for demanding field applications.  The design of the detectors allow for full spectrum (310-1100 nm) measurements in less than 1 second.

Portability

Weighing just 2.0 kg, the UniSpec-DC has a built-in, rechargeable 7.2V Li-Ion battery providing power to the entire system.  Typically, a fully charged battery will ensure up to 10 hours of continuous operation in the field.  An optional battery pack (external) is also available for extended operation in the field.

 

Wide Range of Accessories

A wide selection of accessories are available for use with the UniSpec-DC including fiber optics, FOV lens, cosine receptor, external battery pack and reference standards.  Let PP Systems configure a system that is ideal for your application.

 

 

 

User Interface

Unlike other remote sensing instruments, the UniSpec-DC features an innovative, ergonomic system console designed specifically for demanding field conditions.  It has a built-in user interface including integral computer, large, full color graphical LCD optimized for field use, keyboard and touchpad for user inputs, RS232 and USB interface and PCMCIA slot for unlimited data storage.

Powerful Software & Data Analysis

Easily configure the system to meet your application. The UniSpec-DC is supplied with a powerful software package running under Windows CE V5 that allows you to measure and analyze reflectance with on-line help to guide you every step of the way. In addition to measuring, viewing and storing data, the system is capable of calculation of common vegetation indices such as NDVI, mNDVI, PRI, WBI, summed green reflectance and red/green ratio.
 

Software Features:

• Manual or auto-scan capability

• User selectable integration time

• Manual or automatic graph scaling

• Switch from raw data to reflectance/absorbance data

• Calculation of common vegetation indices

• Perform mathematical functions on stored data

• Manual or auto-save data

• GPS capability

• On-line help system

An interesting link for researchers interested in optical sampling: SpecNet Spectral Network.  Click here for more information on some exciting "Remote Sensing" packages offered by PP Systems.

UniSpec-DC Data Sheet

UniSpec-DC Application Notes

UniSpec Publications