Hyperspectral cameras are becoming quicker, more sensitive, smaller and more affordable. Gamaya, a spin-off from the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, developed world’s smallest and lightest hyperspectral imaging (HSI) camera. Gamaya sensor’s operational weight is just 100 grams in comparison to 400 grams – 2,5 kilo of all currently available alternatives with comparable performance. This is especially important for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, UAV), with its limitations of payload capacity.The Gamaya hyperspectral camera is the smallest, most lightweight hyperspectral camera currently available – so tiny it can be flown via drones. Not only is the camera itself small, but it compresses data 100 times more efficiently than other hyperspectral cameras, making our data processing quicker, less complex, and less expensive than other hyperspectral sensors. To read more please refer to the Technologist article – A world of invisible colours.

World’s smallest and lightest hyperspectral imaging sensor optimised for deployment on small unmanned aircraft systems  

SensorOXI Vis-16OXI NIR-25OXI VNIR-40OXI NIR-100sConfigurationsnapshotsnapshotsnapshot dual-headline-scannerSpatial resolution2MP (2048 x 1088 px)2MP (2048 x 1088 px)2MP (2048 x 1088 px)2048 px swathSpectral range450 – 630 nm600 – 950 nm450 – 950 nm600 – 950 nmSpectral resolution16 channels25 channels40 channels100 channelsPixel size5.5 x 5.5 μmShutter typeglobalDynamic range60 dBSNR max41.3 dB    

Camera moduleMax frame rate16 fps16 fps16 fps30 fpsExposure time20 μs – 1 s20 μs – 1 s20 μs – 1 s20 μs – 20 msIntegrated optics16mm, f/2.8, 2/3’’Integrated storageSD card 64GBTrigger in✓✓✓N/AEvent out✓✓✓✓Serial port✓✓✓✓Dimensions60 x 55 x 40 mm60 x 55 x 40 mm100 x 60 x 40 mm100 x 60 x 40 mmWeight160 gr160 gr250 gr220 gr

About Gamaya

Gamaya, based in EPFL Innovation park, provides integrated services for large-scale airborne monitoring and diagnostics of farmland, thanks to its novel and unique hyperspectral imaging technology. Gamaya technology delivers high-resolution, high-precision diagnostics of crop diseases, the proliferation of invasive species and environmental stresses, which will facilitate the targeted delivery of the necessary treatments. The Gamaya hyperspectral imaging solution reduces the costs of both data acquisition and its processing by a factor of 10, while providing a 20-30% increase in yields for its customers. Gamaya makes the monitoring of vegetation a highly profitable business.

Article date: Morges, 2014

Image reference: caspianweek.com