Hyperspectral imagingsensor

Aspherical lenses, by their design, help to mitigate spherical aberration, leading to improved focusing of light rays and producing images with better clarity and sharpness.

Northrop Grumman built and delivered Hyperion, NASA's first hyperspectral to become operational on-orbit. The 220-band instrument set the standard for orbiting spectral imagers and was key to new technologies and concepts for future Earth and space science missions. Our sensors can be incorporated on both spacecraft and aircraft.

Hyperspectral imagingcamera price

In the realm of photography, the aspherical camera lens, commonly abbreviated as ASPH lens, represents a significant technological advancement. Unlike traditional spherical lenses, which have a smooth, curved surface, aspherical lenses incorporate non-spherical elements that deviate from the standard spherical shape. These non-spherical elements allow the lens to better focus light, reducing various optical aberrations that can affect image quality.

By seeing what cannot be seen by the human eye, our hyperspectral imager gives farmers, foresters, urban planners, military commanders, and resource managers a powerful tool to help classify features, measure productivity and identify trends.

How doeshyperspectral imagingwork

Spherical aberration is a common optical phenomenon that occurs in lenses with a uniform curvature, such as spherical lenses. It causes light rays passing through the edges of the lens to converge at a different focal point than those passing through the center. As a result, the image may appear blurred or lack sharpness.

Northrop Grumman has performed airborne data collection with a series of instruments having image spatial resolutions spanning less than 1 meter to more than 11 meters, with spectral coverage from 0.38 to 2.45 microns and 8.0 to 12.0 microns. Spectral resolution is 3 nm in the visible/near-infrared (380 - 1000 nm), 6 nm in the short wave infrared (1000 - 2450 nm), and 35 nm in the long wave infrared (8000 – 12000 nm).

Hyperspectral imagingapplications

The main difference between spherical and aspherical lenses lies in their curvature. Spherical lenses have a constant curvature across the entire lens surface, resembling a perfect sphere. This results in limitations in correcting various optical aberrations, which can lead to decreased image quality, especially towards the edges of the frame.

Our state-of-the-art hyperspectral imaging systems operate across hundreds of wavelengths to paint precise portraits of this hidden world. Where a standard sensor with fewer than 10 broad bands is capable only of differentiating between general classes of vegetation, a hyperspectral imager can discriminate a maple from an oak, wheat from alfalfa, and is sensitive enough to separate healthy from unhealthy growth.

Northrop Grumman is developing a new generation of miniature hyperspectral sensors, which use micro-fabricated photonic filters and heterogeneously integrated detectors to replace conventional free space spectrometer optics. Our standardized, repeatable microelectronic processes enable ultra-compact instrument packages and image acquisition in modes not possible with current land imaging instruments.

Hyperspectral imagingin agriculture

Hyperspectral imagingcamera

All objects — soil, water, trees, vegetation, structures, metals, paints, fabrics — possess a unique spectral fingerprint. A sensor measures reflected light invisible to human eyes to help identify them.

In conclusion, aspherical camera lenses, with their non-spherical surface design, represent a vital breakthrough in modern photography. By effectively correcting optical aberrations and producing higher image quality, they have become indispensable tools for photographers across various genres. Their ability to deliver sharp, distortion-free images, especially in wide-angle scenarios, makes them a preferred choice for many photography enthusiasts and professionals alike. Despite their higher cost and potential lens flare concerns, the advantages they offer far outweigh the drawbacks, making aspherical lenses an essential asset in the pursuit of capturing stunning and breathtaking images.

A stretch of desert, an expanse of sea, a blanket of forest, a checkerboard of crops. Familiar vistas: scenic, but nothing out of the ordinary. Unless you know how to look.

Hyperspectral imagingsoftware

Hyperspectral imagingsatellite

Building upon our substantial experience, we continue to develop new technologies expanding the range of the sensors we build, improving our design and integration processes, and strengthening our capabilities in phenomenology and data exploitation.

Aspherical lenses are designed with complex surfaces, characterized by a combination of convex and concave curvature. This intricate shaping of the lens surface helps in gathering and transmitting light rays more efficiently, ultimately leading to improved image sharpness and reduced distortions.

These finely tuned sensors are coupled with powerful processing algorithms to provide a tool that has as many applications as there are spectral bands. With our hyperspectral imaging, a camouflaged missile suddenly becomes obvious, a fleet sets course for fertile fishing beds, tree growth patterns lead to harvesting efficiencies, and a farmer can strategically rotate crops.

NASA recognized us with its prestigious Public Service Group Award for our design, fabrication, assembly, test, calibration and delivery of six Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) flight-qualified instruments.

On the other hand, aspherical lenses have varying curvatures across their surfaces, deviating from the traditional spherical shape. This enables them to counteract a wider range of optical aberrations, producing sharper and more accurate images.

With our hyperspectral imager, detailed pictures emerge: a vehicle hidden by camouflage, an area teeming with fish food, trees growing at different rates, and under-utilized fertile land.