June 2020
Page 7 of 21
Recommendations for Installation
The Altum should be installed such that it has a clear view of the area directly below the
aircraft. The “cone” of the lenses, especially thermal, which has the widest field of view (57º
HFOV), should be considered in the process of deciding where to mount the sensor on the
aircraft or payload bay.
Avoid putting windows or covers in front of the thermal sensor. Many materials that are
transparent in visible bands are opaque in LWIR (thermal), so any coverings may prevent data
collection. Even materials that are mostly transparent in LWIR will negatively affect the
radiometric accuracy of the sensor output.
The multispectral sensors feature a global shutter and can withstand some vibration without
degrading image quality; nevertheless, we recommend vibration isolation between the sensor
mounting platform and the aircraft.
Make sure the sensor points straight down (with respect to the earth) at all times during flight.
The best way to ensure this is to use a gimbal.
Airflow over all surfaces of the sensor is necessary for proper heat dissipation. Do not run Altum
on the bench or in the field for extended periods of time without airflow. Do not completely
cover or insulate the back surface of the sensor.
Normally, the sensor should be in landscape orientation. If you plan to mount the sensor in a
portrait orientation, remember to swap the vertical and horizontal parameters in your mission
planner.
Ensure that the sensor is completely protected during landing. Note that we do not
recommend using a lens cover during flight as it can filter the wavelengths that the sensor
measures. Instead, protect the sensor with a recessed installation or by using landing gear.
Use the provided lens cover when storing Altum, and do not set Altum lens-side-down as it will
rest on and scratch the lenses.
More integration guidelines for the DLS 2 are in the DLS 2 section of this guide.
© 2020 MicaSense, Inc
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