Specifications.docx

Visible Near Infrared (VNIR) Compact Imaging Spectrometer Specifications

In order to advance remote sensing capabilities, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has a requirement for three high spectral resolution, compact imaging spectrometer (CIS), VNIR camera system. One will be for laboratory/outdoor use while the two others will be configured strictly for Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) operation. The VNIR systems shall be controllable by data acquisition units (DAU) and useable in both laboratory and field situations, with easy conversion between these applications.

Vendors shall provide a list itemized equipment that fulfills this request. The USGS shall have the option to purchase more than one quantity of an item. Technical specifications for the imaging spectrometer systems and accessories are listed below. In response to this solicitation, the vendor must include technical evaluations of recently-built sensors and accessories that demonstrate the technical specifications in this request have been met in previously produced systems and accessories (within the last 24 months).

To allow the collection of VNIR images, the imaging spectrometer data in the field and laboratory, the following laboratory accessories are required: data acquisition unit (DAU) with solid-state drives (SSDs) for the laboratory, rack mount for scanning materials at up to 1 m distance, translation stage with controller and travel distance of at least 1 m, lamps for illuminating laboratory samples, lenses for operating the VNIR cameras at various resolutions, including: microscope lenses capable of smaller than 25 micrometer (m) spatial resolution for the VNIR. For field operation, the following accessories are required: field DAU with SSDs, high weight capacity tripod with pan/tilt head and rotation stage with controllers, battery packs and chargers for DAU and pan/tilt/rotation stages as required. Lenses for operating the VNIR camera in the field at various resolutions and working distances are required, including data acquisitions at 3 to 50 m working distances. Reference reflectance panels of approximately 50% and 98% with highly Lambertian properties are required at 10 cm by 10 cm and 30 cm by 30 cm size.

Vendors shall show a demonstrated capability for the use of the camera system with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations

Vendors shall quote the addition of an integrating sphere and stable light source, calibrated to U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable standards (or European or foreign national government equivalent).

In addition to the equipment, on-site installation and training on hardware and software operation in Reston, Virginia is required. The USGS also reserves the option to purchase a additional line item components depending on availability of funds.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

b. VNIR spatial pixels: must have at least 1400 cross-track pixels.

c. VNIR sampling interval: 3.3 nm or smaller.

d. VNIR number of spectral channels: 180 channels or greater

e. VNIR bandpass (FWHM, full-width at half-maximum): on average 5 nm or smaller across the wavelength range and not to exceed 6 nm at any point in the wavelength range of the VNIR.

f. VNIR spectral smile: at each spectral channel, for each spatial position the wavelength position and bandpass (FWHM) must be within ≤ 1.2 nm of the average wavelength position for all channels.

g. VNIR spatial keystone: must be less than 0.5 pixels or smaller in deviation across all spectral channels, at each spatial position.

h. VNIR digitization: 12-bit or greater.

i. VNIR field of view (FOV): ≥ 17 degrees with the potential to double the FOV using a fore-optic.

j. VNIR cooling: the system must be electronically-cooled.

k. VNIR shutter: the system should be equipped with a controllable electro-mechanical shutter for dark offset correction.

l. VNIR frame rate: capable of up to 150 fps or greater at full-resolution

m. VNIR radiometric calibration: sensor must be calibrated to U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable standards (or European or foreign national government equivalent) for radiometric calibration to produce calibrated images in units of radiance (W/m2/nm/sr or equivalent)

n. VNIR responsivity: the variation in DN level for each channel as a function of spatial pixel must be defined during the radiometric calibration procedure and the responsivity matrix provided.

o. VNIR second order suppression: evidence of second order suppression should be demonstrated using measurements made with blocking filters.

p. VNIR signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and noise-equivalent radiance (NER): using a stable light source and integrating sphere, the measurement of SNR and NER should be made and provided along with the radiance spectrum and sensor settings. A plot of SNR as a function of wavelength shall be provided. The lamp radiance spectrum (in W/m2/sr/nm) used to establish the SNR and NER shall be provided.

q. VNIR bad pixel map: characterization of bad pixels (dead pixels, hot pixels, noisy pixels, and other deviating pixels) must be performed and the bad pixel map provided; the number of bad pixels must not exceed 0.5% of the total number of pixels (number of spectral channels times the number of spatial pixels).

r. VNIR sensor model: information about the pointing angle and instantaneous angular field of view for each across-track pixel and the total field of view shall be provided; sensor models will also be provided for any lenses and fore-optics.

s. VNIR sensor should be demonstrated to be capable of being integrated and operated from UAS platform.

t. VNIR instrument weight should not exceed 3.0 kg

a. completely assembled with all required software and drivers (for camera, etc.) and hardware configured on the computer.

b. ruggedized and transportable for field use and capable of running on battery power.

c. use a daylight readable display.

d. use solid state hard drives (SSDs) for the operating system and data storage.

e. Delivered with cables for control and data transfer and cables for powering the camera from the DAU shall be provided, if needed.

a. VNIR microscope lens for better than 25 micrometer resolution

b. VNIR lenses to allow laboratory use at 0.3 to 1 m working distances

c. VNIR lenses to allow field use at working distances across the range of 3 to 50 m

b. Photometric reference detector and multichannel optometer in rack-mounted configuration with ACDC power supply.

c. Illuminating lamp shall mountable on the sphere with at least 100W power, quartz halogen tungsten design with UV transmitting frosted bulb that has been burn-in proofed. The lamp shall have a diffuse transmitting baffle and housing with diffuse reflectors. A manual controlled variable aperture shall be integrated for intensity control.

d. A stable lamp power supply for up to 12V and 100W in constant current shall be supplied.

e. Spectral calibration lamps with power supply, including Kr, HgAr, Ar.

f. Calibration of spectral radiance (to NIST, European or foreign government national standard) across the 400 to 2500 nm range at sampling interval of 10 nm or smaller in the 400 to 1100 nm range, 20 nm or smaller in the 1100 to 2500 nm range. Calculation of luminance using spectral radiance data and adjustment of reference detector and rack mount detector for luminance reading. Certificate of calibration must be supplied.

Includes system control computer and software

b. Georectification Software & License, two each

c. GPS Antenna integrated into ASCU operation, two each

d. Lens VNIR - 17mm, two each

e. Radiometric Calibration per lens, two each

f. Calibration Tarp, two each

g. UAV Gimbal Caddy, two each

h. Travel Accessories, two each