A Low-Cost Imaging System for
Aerial Applicators
Chenghai Yang, Clint Hoffmann
Fred Gomez, Lee Denham, Charles Harris, Phil Jank
USDA-ARS
Aerial Application Technology
Research Unit
College Station, TX
48th NAAA Convention & Exposition Louisville, KY, Dec. 8-11, 2014
Nov./Dec. 2014, Vol. 41, No. 6, p. 45-51
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Why Do You Need a Low-Cost
Imaging System?
• Current imaging systems are
too expensive or too complex to
be of practical use for you.
• You can assemble a low-cost,
user-friendly system.
• You can install it on your aircraft
to provide imaging service.
• You will learn the know-how.
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Imaging System Components
Nikon D90 CMOS camera
with Nikon 24mm lens
$1000
Nikon GP-1A GPS unit
$200
AUVIO 7” LCD monitor
$80
Vello FreeWave wireless
remote trigger
$40
Total: $1320
User’s Manual
Camera Setup
• Focus: Infinity
• Shooting mode: Manual
• Exposure: 1/500 s
• Aperture: f/13
Camera Setup (Continued)
• Image size: 4288 x 2848
• Image quality: Fine
System Mounted on Air Tractor
Monitor
• Camera is attached to
right step on AT-402B
• GPS & monitor in cab
Trigger
GPS
Airborne Image Acquisition
•
•
•
•
•
Weather: Clear and calm days
Time: 10:30 am to 3:30 pm
Altitude: 500-10,000 ft
Speed: 100-150 MPH
Keep your aircraft straight and level!
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Ground Coverage with Flight Height
Flight Height
AGL (ft)
Pixel Size
(in)
Ground Coverage
(ft × ft)
Ground Coverage
(acre)
500
1.4
500×330
5
1000
3
1000×660
15
2000
6
2000×1300
60
3000
8
3000×2000
130
4000
11
4000×2600
240
5000
14
5000×3300
370
6000
17
6000×4000
540
7000
19
7000×4600
730
8000
22
8000×5300
950
9000
25
9000×5900
1200
10000
28
10000×6600
1500
10
Sample Image - 1000 ft AGL
Coverage: 1000’ x 660’, 15 ac; Pixel: 3”
Sample Image - 3000 ft AGL
Coverage: 3000’ x 2000’, 130 ac; Pixel: 8”
Sample Image - 5000 ft AGL
Coverage: 5000’ x 3300’, 370 ac; Pixel:1’2”
Take Continuous Images from a
Large Area along Flight Lines
 5000 ft AGL
 30% overlap
 3500 ft interval
 4 flight lines
 150 MPH
 1 image per 10 s
3 mi x 4.5 mi
8640 ac
Now You Have Pictures, Then What?
• You can use 3 software packages:
– Picasa (free download);
– Google Earth (free download);
– Adobe Photoshop CC ($20/month
subscription).
Create a KMZ File to Include GeoTagged JPG Images Using Picasa
Open KMZ file in Google Earth to
View Geo-Tagged Images
Create Mosaicked Image Using
Adobe Photoshop CC
Mapping Cotton Root Rot
Mapping Cotton Root Rot
Field size: 68 ac
Infected:
8 ac
(12%)
Mapping Hog Damage on Corn
21
Mapping Pigweed
22
Mapping Winter Weed Henbit
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Thank You!
To see demo and get more info,
visit our booth (#1202)!
Chenghai.yang@ars.usda.gov
$1,000
Vs.
$70,000
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