MapIR K2 Six-Channel Hyperspectral Imaging Instrument

Overview

The MapIR K2 Six-Channel Hyperspectral Imaging Instrument is a purpose-built airborne multispectral sensor engineered for high-fidelity, georeferenced spectral data acquisition from fixed-wing and multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Unlike scanning-based hyperspectral systems, the K2 employs a filter-array architecture—eliminating moving parts and mechanical filter wheels—to deliver synchronized, simultaneous capture across six discrete spectral bands. Each optical module integrates an independent Linux-computing core, a 14.4 MP Bayer CMOS detector (1.4 × 1.4 µm pixels), and onboard microSDXC storage—enabling fully autonomous operation without real-time telemetry dependency. Designed for operational robustness in field-deployed remote sensing workflows, the K2 supports deterministic triggering via PWM, relay pulses, or UAVCAN messages directly from flight controllers (e.g., Pixhawk, CubePilot), ensuring precise temporal alignment between GNSS timestamps, IMU metadata, and spectral image frames. Its dual field-of-view optics (87° wide-angle or 41° narrow HFOV) allow flexible mission planning across spatial scales—from sub-hectare precision agriculture plots to >1 km² environmental monitoring corridors.

Key Features

• Fully modular six-channel architecture with interchangeable spectral band configurations—supporting two standard six-band sets (e.g., 475/550/850 nm + 490/615/808 nm) and optional five-band variants including UV (395 nm) and NIR (870 nm) combinations.
• Dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor (i.MX6, 1.2 GHz) per module enabling on-device preprocessing, metadata embedding, and real-time trigger arbitration without external compute.
• Simultaneous, non-scanning acquisition at native 14.4 MP resolution (12-bit RAW per channel) with synchronized timestamping compliant with ISO 19115 geospatial metadata standards.
• Multi-interface synchronization: UAVCAN-compatible command ingestion, hardware-level PWM input/output, relay-trigger compatibility (TTL/CMOS voltage levels), and UART for legacy autopilot integration.
• Onboard storage up to 128 GB microSDXC with wear-leveling firmware; images saved as per-channel 16-bit TIFF or lossless 12-bit RAW for radiometric calibration traceability.
• Compact, low-SWaP design (5.0 VDC, 4.0 W per module) optimized for Class I–III UAV platforms—including DJI Matrice, WingtraOne, and custom VTOL airframes—with IP-rated enclosure options available for extended environmental exposure.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The K2 is not sample-contacting; it operates as a passive, reflective-light remote sensor calibrated for solar-illuminated terrestrial surfaces. It complies with ASTM E2790-21 (Standard Practice for Remote Sensing of Vegetation Reflectance) and supports data acquisition protocols aligned with USDA NRCS Soil Survey Handbook guidelines. Radiometric calibration is traceable to NIST-traceable reflectance panels (e.g., Spectralon®), and raw output formats preserve linear DN values required for post-acquisition atmospheric correction (e.g., DOS, QUAC, or FLAASH). While not FDA-regulated, its metadata-rich TIFF/RAW outputs meet GLP-aligned documentation requirements for environmental monitoring programs subject to EPA Region 10 or EU Copernicus validation frameworks. All electronic subsystems conform to FCC Part 15 Class B and CE RED Directive 2014/53/EU emission limits.

Software & Data Management

K2 data is managed via open-standard interfaces: USB 2.0 mass-storage mode for direct card access, Ethernet for networked retrieval, and UART/UAVCAN for embedded telemetry streaming. MapIR provides the K2 SDK—a C++/Python API supporting firmware updates, spectral configuration programming, and trigger logic scripting. Third-party compatibility includes Agisoft Metashape (for georeferenced orthomosaic generation), ENVI (for spectral unmixing and NDVI/NDRE/CIrededge computation), and QGIS with GDAL drivers for per-band raster ingestion. All metadata (GPS time, altitude, attitude, exposure, gain, lens ID) is embedded in EXIF and XMP sidecar files, satisfying ISO 19115-3 XML schema requirements for long-term archival under FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).

Applications

• Precision agriculture: Quantitative crop health assessment via narrowband vegetation indices (e.g., NDVI, SAVI, OSAVI) derived from 660 nm red-edge and 808/850 nm NIR bands.
• Environmental monitoring: Wetland delineation using 490 nm blue-water absorption and 870 nm NIR water-penetration contrast; invasive species mapping via spectral signature clustering.
• Forestry inventory: Canopy height modeling (CHM) integration with LiDAR point clouds using co-registered K2-derived LAI and fractional cover metrics.
• Soil science: Organic matter estimation via 475 nm/550 nm reflectance ratios correlated with Munsell soil color standards.
• Post-disaster assessment: Burn severity classification (dNBR) using pre- and post-event 660/850 nm band differencing with sub-2 cm/pixel ground sampling distance at operational altitudes.

FAQ

Is the K2 compatible with DJI M300 RTK and P4 Multispectral platforms?
Yes—the K2’s UAVCAN interface and 5 VDC power envelope enable direct integration with DJI’s Payload SDK v3.3+ via CAN bus adapters; full trigger synchronization and GNSS timestamp injection are supported.

Can spectral band configurations be changed in-flight?
No—band selection is hardware-defined by the installed interference filter array. Reconfiguration requires physical module swap or pre-mission firmware loading of alternate band definitions (non-volatile).

What radiometric calibration options are available?
MapIR provides factory calibration certificates with spectral response curves (FWHM ±2 nm) and relative spectral irradiance tables. Field calibration is performed using certified reflectance targets (e.g., 99% Spectralon) imaged under uniform illumination conditions.

Does the K2 support real-time onboard processing (e.g., NDVI calculation)?
The onboard Linux environment supports lightweight Python scripts for per-frame index computation; however, full radiometric correction and georectification are recommended post-mission using desktop GIS or photogrammetry software.

How is geometric distortion corrected?
Each lens variant (87°/41° HFOV) ships with a per-unit polynomial distortion model (Brown-Conrady coefficients) embedded in firmware and exported with imagery for use in Agisoft, Pix4D, or OpenCV-based correction pipelines.