Miniaturized UAS Spectroradiometer for Quantifying Ecosystems

Terrestrial models of carbon stock and flux rely on detailed parameterizations using trait data to represent vegetation processes in a given ecosystem. Hyperspectral optical characterization (350-2500 nm) can quantify many of these parameterizations at both leaf and landscape scales. Traditional aircraft and large-payload Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) provide an excellent opportunity to utilize hyperspectral measurements on large-scale areas, but the associated costs/logistics limit system availability and utility. Conversely, lightweight UAS offer a lower- cost opportunity to conduct airborne measurements. However, current instrumentation packages capable of measuring the needed hyperspectral characteristics far exceed the weight and power capabilities of lightweight UAS. Thus, it would be a transformational step if: hyperspectral spectroradiometers could be miniaturized to enable them to be flown on inexpensive, small, off‐the‐ shelf UAS platforms, and the costs of such hardware were reduced such as to be available for a wide range of research and commercial end users. Sporian proposes to realize such a miniaturized, low-cost, hyperspectral spectroradiometer by utilizing a novel optical system design heavily emphasizing low-cost components to achieve the cost, size, and performance goals. The novel optical design originates from (and heavily leverages) Sporian’s extensive prior development efforts on spectroscopic measurement systems for airborne and remote monitoring applications where size and power miniaturization were critical. The phase I effort will include: 1) working with technical and transition partners/customers to define key requirements and foster commercial transition; 2) evaluating designs of the low-cost, miniaturized hyperspectral spectrometer portion of the system; 3) proof-of-principle construction and testing of a bench-top scale version of the spectrometer hardware; and 4) developing a preliminary total system design, including the telescopic section, firmware, electronics, and packaging. A novel, miniature, low-cost, UAS-mountable, optical measurement system for improving models for (and ultimately the use of) terrestrial carbon sequestration, and being valuable to commercial industries, including agriculture, oil production, and mineral exploration. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: In addition to supporting models for, and ultimately the use of, terrestrial carbon sequestration, such a novel, miniature, the proposed technology would be valuable to a wide range of commercial end users, including agriculture, oil & gas production, and mineral exploration. Government agencies could also benefit from the proposed technology, including the DOE (monitoring carbon capture and the energy-water nexus), the EPA (assisting in analyzing environmental conditions), FEMA (survey disaster sites), and NASA (imaging for crop health, water depth, rock type, land use, wildfire fuel moisture, and forest observations).