Leveraging UAS and Hyperspectral

Technology for Advanced Remote

Sensing

Tom Breen, Director of Global Sales

© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.

Slide 1
 Abstract
• The convergence of hyperspectral imaging aboard UASs is
occurring at a very rapid pace

• Hyperspectral imaging within the remote-sensing realm is

proving to be a go-to instrument

• It allows for excellent identification and discrimination of

chemical/spectral characteristics that might not be visible any
other way

• Integrating these specialized instruments aboard any type of

UAS is challenging
© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.
Slide 2
 Hyperspectral
Collect Process Analyze

Data Cube Before After

Solution

© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.

Slide 3
Hyperspectral Market Segments
MARKET SEGMENT
SEGMENT

REMOTE SENSING

ADVANCED MACHINE VISION

GOVERNMENT/DEFENSE

BIOMED

© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.

Slide 4
 Hyperspectral Market Sub-Segments
MARKET SEGMENT
SEGMENT SUBSEGMENT

REMOTE SENSING AGRICULTURE

MINING/MINERALOGY/OIL
ENVIRONMENTAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
LABORATORY

© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.

Slide 5
 Hyperspectral Market Sub-Segments
MARKET SEGMENT
SEGMENT SUBSEGMENT

GOVERNMENT/DEFENSE ISR
BORDER PATROL
DEA
SPACE
TREASURY

© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.

Slide 6
 Hyperspectral Applications
MARKET SEGMENT
SEGMENT SUBSEGMENT APPLICATION

REMOTE SENSING AGRICULTURE PRECISION AG

CROP HEALTH
INVASIVE SPECIES DETECTION
PLANT PHENOTYPING
FOREST HEALTH
SPECIATION
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE DETECTION

MINING/MINERALOGY/OIL DRILL CORE SAMPLES

TAR SAND/PETROLEUM BLENDING (SELECTIVE MINING)
PRECISION MINING (CU VEINS; GRANITE WALLS)
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
EXPLORATION

ENVIRONMENTAL ALGAL BLOOMS

ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION
OIL/CHEMICAL SPILLS
POLLUTION

INFRASTRUCTURE PIPELINE MONITORING/GAS DETECTION

BRIDGES
TOWERS

LABORATORY FORENSICS
DOCUMENT PRESERVATION
COSMETICS

© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.

Slide 7
Headwall is Deployed on >25 Platforms
UAS Integration is NOT trivial

© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.

Slide 8
 Considerations
UAS ITEMS
Altitude
Range
Airspeed
FW vs. VTOL
Logistics chain
Price
Portability

© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.

Slide 9
 Considerations
UAS ITEMS HSI ITEMS
Altitude UV/VNIR/NIR/SWIR
Range FOV
Airspeed IFOV
FW vs. VTOL GSD
Logistics chain Frame rate
Price Spatial resolution
Portability Spectral resolution
Size
Weight
Power

© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.

Slide 10
 Sensor SWaP Driven by UAS Evolution

Sensor:

7.6 cm
Electronics:
17.8 cm

12.2 cm

Weight (Kg): 7.79 3.23 0.77

Power (W): 180 peak, 85 ave 70 peak, 40 ave 12 peak, 10 ave
1990’s 2000’s 2013
Introduction:
Hyperspec® Micro-Hyperspec® Nano-Hyperspec®
© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.
Slide 11
 Considerations
UAS HSI INTEGRATION
Altitude VNIR/NIR/SWIR Pushbroom sensors
Range FOV Payload capacity
Airspeed IFOV Balanced/distributed weight
FW vs. VTOL GSD Gimbal
Logistics chain Frame rate Jitter
Price Spatial resolution Ortho-rectification
Portability Spectral resolution GPS/IMU
Size LIDAR and other sensors
Weight Data management
Power Turnkey solutions

© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.

Slide 12
 Hyperspectral Sensor Data Product

Solar induced Chemical agent detection

chlorophyll fluorescence and classification

Raw Ortho Point Cloud

Vegetation health Marine object

aided by LIDAR identification
© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.
Slide 13
 Target Detection / Identification

Detection 1 Detection 2

Detection 3
 Spectral Targeting

• Lab spectrum for MES plotted in RED vs detected spectral signatures for MES in-
scene
• Detection 1 depicts a much higher concentration of the MES chemical than
Detection 2
• Detection 3 depicts a higher concentration than Detection 2 but lower than
Detection 1
Detection 1 Detection 2

Detection 3
 Summary
• Reductions in UAS and Hyperspectral SWaP and price have
opened many new applications for remote sensing

• Integrating specialized Hyperspectral instruments aboard any

type of UAS is challenging and requires technical depth and
breadth

• Hyperspectral imaging allows for excellent identification and

discrimination of chemical/spectral characteristics that might
not be visible any other way

© 2015 Headwall Photonics, Inc.

Slide 16