High-Resolution Imaging for Environmental Monitoring Applications

• Main Authors: Matthias Keller, Mustafa Yücel, Jan Beutel
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Imaging; Permafrost; Remote Sensing; Wireless Camera; permafrost
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.149.2890; http://www.tik.ee.ethz.ch/~beutel/pub/KYB2009.pdf

ABSTRACT: The PermaSense project strives to collect long-term geophysical data for permafrost research in Switzerland. By now, we have successfully established two installations at Jungfraujoch and Matterhorn measuring temperature profiles, crack dilatation, pressures and conductivity in the alpine extremes at 3.500m a.s.l. The data is sampled continuously and relayed to a datacenter in real-time with low latency. While the currently measured quantities are rather simple measurements we are also investigating possibilities to measure using more complex methods and devices. In this work we present a novel optical sensor designed for application in high-alpine locations allowing for very-high fidelity image acquisition, e.g. to measure the variability of snow cover or detailed rock movement. For this purpose, a Nikon D300 DSLR camera (12 Megapixel) has been adapted for unattended operation at extreme conditions, including a suitable power supply, optically corrected lens port, lens heating system and wireless data link. In order to support a high image quality and facilitate application in diverse scenarios different lens options are supported (telephoto, wide angle, infrared). The system presented can support any kind of digital SLR camera and lens system depending on the actual application requirements. Designed with a very low overall power profile, the system is suited for long-term operation from either a fixed battery or an optional solar charging facility. In this work we present the system design as well as live data from our field site at 3500m a.s.l. On the Matterhorn Hörnliridge, Switzerland and ongoing analysis work using spatial reconstruction techniques.