DuncanTech Introduces Color-Infrared Digital Video Camera; Targets Cost-Effective Digital Imaging for Remote Sensing.AUBURN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 1999-- DuncanTech, Inc. of Auburn, announced today the release of its MS2100-CIR digital video camera for color-infrared imaging. The camera acquires high quality digital imagery in green, red, and near-infrared spectral bands See optical bands and spectrum. that provide data for remote sensing and precision agriculture applications. The system is unique in that all three images are acquired simultaneously through a common aperture and co-registered at the pixel level. The camera utilizes a color separating prism to isolate the spectral images and three charge coupled device (CCD CCD in full charge-coupled device Semiconductor device in which the individual semiconductor components are connected so that the electrical charge at the output of one device provides the input to the next device. ) imaging arrays, each with a resolution of 656(H) x 494(V), to acquire nearly one million pixels of data. The unit is compact and rugged to support both aerial and field applications. The system's price point of approximately $7,000 enables a new generation of cost-effective image acquisition. Color-infrared (CIR (Committed Information Rate) In a frame relay network, the average transmission rate in bits per second (typically Kbps) for a virtual circuit. It defines the maximum rate that the network can handle under normal conditions. ) imagery has long been recognized as a valuable tool in assessing the health of vegetation and the environment. To date, this imagery has generally been collected with remote sensing satellites such as LANDSAT, or from aerial platforms using large format film cameras. Most electronic systems in use today are based on multiple independent cameras, each filtered for a specific spectral band. The DuncanTech camera eliminates the problems of multi-camera systems and delivers high quality pixel registered 24 or 30 bit images at up to 30 frames per second. The camera's spectral configuration can be tailored to customer specifications. All camera operating parameters are remotely controlled via an RS-232 communications interface. Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) can provide real-time image processing within the camera, such as calculation of Normalized Differential Vegetative vegetative /veg·e·ta·tive/ (vej?e-ta?tiv) 1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of plants. 2. concerned with growth and nutrition, as opposed to reproduction. 3. Index (NDVI NDVI Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ). Triggered capture modes enhance integration with system components such as GPS and navigation systems. The camera's analog output option adds simultaneous video output for preview or recording. Supported video formats include high resolution progressive scan RGB (Red Green Blue) The computer's native color space, which is the color system for capturing and displaying images. RGB was derived from our own perception of color because human eyes are sensitive to red, green and blue (see trichromaticity). and interlaced Refers to a display system or image that uses interlacing and does not render contiguous lines one after the other. See interlace and interlaced GIF. NTSC (National TV Standards Committee) The committee that developed the television standards for the U.S, which are also used in Canada, Japan, South Korea and several Central and South American countries. Both the committee and the standard are called "NTSC. or PAL. The MS2100-CIR represents a next generation tool for a variety of remote and near sensing applications including precision agriculture, environmental assessment, archaeology, mapping, and reconnaissance. The system has been successfully demonstrated in aerial field tests and is currently in production. DuncanTech, Inc. manufactures and markets a family of advanced digital cameras for industrial, agricultural and medical applications. Interested parties can contact Judy Duncan at 530/888-6565 or email at jduncan@duncantech. |
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