Compact multispectral multi-camera imaging system for small UAVs

Cameras with filters in the focal plane provide the most compact solution for multispectral imaging. A small UAV can carry multiple such cameras, providing large area coverage rate at high spatial resolution. We investigate a camera concept where a patterned bandpass filter with six bands provides multiple interspersed recordings of all bands, enabling consistency checks for improved spectral integrity. A compact sensor payload has been built with multiple cameras and a data acquisition computer. Recorded imagery demonstrates the potential for large area coverage with good spectral integrity. © (2016) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.