News Article
SPECIM unveils first full 380nm to 2500nm spectrum imager
The AisaFENIX tool captures hyperspectral data over VNIR, NIR, and SWIR wavelengths in a single continuous image
SPECIM, Spectral Imaging has launched the AisaFENIX, a robust and compact spectral imager for the most demanding fields and airborne installations.
AisaFENIX flight data conducted in July 2012, Finland
The most valuable feature of AisaFENIX is its ability to capture high quality hyperspectral data over VNIR, NIR, and SWIR wavelengths in a single continuous image.
AisaFENIX provides VNIR, NIR and SWIR imaging in a single instrument
The company says for the first time ever, the user is able to measure for every pixel a perfect spectrum from 380nm to 2500nm. With up to 620 spectral bands, the system can detect the targets and what the distances to the targets are.
The most prominent environmental, defence and law enforcement applications require high quality hyperspectral data at different wavelength ranges. Often, the more quality spectral information available, the more reliable the results are.
An AisaFENIX spectrum measured airborne
A comparison of the spectrum to a reference spectrum (NASA) shows exact matching of the atmospheric absorption peaks and other spectral features
This need has resulted in complicated and expensive systems, where two separate imagers have been mechanically co-aligned into a solid platform. The challenge with separate optical systems has been the nearly impossible task of achieving perfect pixel co-registration of the two images (VNIR and SWIR) when the distance to the target is changing.
“AisaFENIX eliminates all the past challenges in full spectrum imaging”, states Petri Nygrén, AISA Product Manager. “With the 620 optical bands, the data quality of the instrument is astonishing – the best spectral imaging data we have ever seen. SPECIM once again has been able to satisfy the market demands for a cost-efficient, high performance product; and at the same time set a completely new standard for size, weight and lack of complexity.”
AisaFENIX images the target in 380-2500 nm spectral region through single front optics and a single input slit, keeping all wavebands spatially co-registered independently of the distance to the target.
The system employs a patent pending “single optics dual channel” imaging spectrograph which, in spite of the single input slit, has two diffraction gratings. One is optimised for VNIR and the second for the SWIR region. What's more, two focal plane arrays (FPA), a CMOS and cryogenically cooled mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) FPA, are employed in order to maximise sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the VNIR and SWIR spectral regions.
With two FPAs, different exposure times can be applied in the VNIR and SWIR regions in order to optimally adapt to various spectral illumination conditions. As the imaging spectrograph is extremely compact, AisaFENIX weighs less than 15 kg. This represents more than a 75 percent reduction in weight and size when compared to a typical two camera setup.
The company says the affordable cost level, together with the unique performance, makes AisaFENIX a revolutionary hyperspectral imager. Simplicity, reliability and performance in field usage transform AisaFENIX into a versatile tool for a wide range of applications.
These include in the detection of camouflaged targets and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from ground vehicles and various airborne platforms. The AisaFENIX is also useful for spotting illicit/narcotic plants, and in other law enforcement applications.
SPECIM provides spectral imagers and hyperspectral imaging solutions to airborne, mineralogical, industrial and research customers.
AisaFENIX flight data conducted in July 2012, Finland
The most valuable feature of AisaFENIX is its ability to capture high quality hyperspectral data over VNIR, NIR, and SWIR wavelengths in a single continuous image.
AisaFENIX provides VNIR, NIR and SWIR imaging in a single instrument
The company says for the first time ever, the user is able to measure for every pixel a perfect spectrum from 380nm to 2500nm. With up to 620 spectral bands, the system can detect the targets and what the distances to the targets are.
The most prominent environmental, defence and law enforcement applications require high quality hyperspectral data at different wavelength ranges. Often, the more quality spectral information available, the more reliable the results are.
An AisaFENIX spectrum measured airborne
A comparison of the spectrum to a reference spectrum (NASA) shows exact matching of the atmospheric absorption peaks and other spectral features
This need has resulted in complicated and expensive systems, where two separate imagers have been mechanically co-aligned into a solid platform. The challenge with separate optical systems has been the nearly impossible task of achieving perfect pixel co-registration of the two images (VNIR and SWIR) when the distance to the target is changing.
“AisaFENIX eliminates all the past challenges in full spectrum imaging”, states Petri Nygrén, AISA Product Manager. “With the 620 optical bands, the data quality of the instrument is astonishing – the best spectral imaging data we have ever seen. SPECIM once again has been able to satisfy the market demands for a cost-efficient, high performance product; and at the same time set a completely new standard for size, weight and lack of complexity.”
AisaFENIX images the target in 380-2500 nm spectral region through single front optics and a single input slit, keeping all wavebands spatially co-registered independently of the distance to the target.
The system employs a patent pending “single optics dual channel” imaging spectrograph which, in spite of the single input slit, has two diffraction gratings. One is optimised for VNIR and the second for the SWIR region. What's more, two focal plane arrays (FPA), a CMOS and cryogenically cooled mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) FPA, are employed in order to maximise sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the VNIR and SWIR spectral regions.
With two FPAs, different exposure times can be applied in the VNIR and SWIR regions in order to optimally adapt to various spectral illumination conditions. As the imaging spectrograph is extremely compact, AisaFENIX weighs less than 15 kg. This represents more than a 75 percent reduction in weight and size when compared to a typical two camera setup.
The company says the affordable cost level, together with the unique performance, makes AisaFENIX a revolutionary hyperspectral imager. Simplicity, reliability and performance in field usage transform AisaFENIX into a versatile tool for a wide range of applications.
These include in the detection of camouflaged targets and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from ground vehicles and various airborne platforms. The AisaFENIX is also useful for spotting illicit/narcotic plants, and in other law enforcement applications.
SPECIM provides spectral imagers and hyperspectral imaging solutions to airborne, mineralogical, industrial and research customers.
