FieldSpec 4, LabSpec 4, TerraSpec 4 manual addendum
Version number: ADD0122-01
Overview
The ASD FieldSpec 4 Standard-Res portable spectroradiometer is the right choice for a wide range of remote sensing applications, including multispectral sensor ground truthing and calibration, agricultural analysis, and snow and ice studies.
In addition to being a world-class spectroradiometer, the FieldSpec 4 Standard-Res is equally suited to serve as a rugged, portable spectrometer for accurate contact reflectance or non-solar stand-off measurements.
The 3 nm VNIR, 10 nm SWIR spectral resolution is ideal for characterizing spectral features with a resolution down to 10 nm.
The FieldSpec 4 Standard-Res is well-positioned to meet a majority of the technical needs of field researchers who require dependable and trusted results from a field portable spectroradiometer.
Features
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Best for: users requiring maximum sensitivity, outdoor and remote sensing applications
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Superior signal-to-noise ratio: twice as sensitive; the best choice for working with limited natural light sources like sunlight
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Permanent fiber optic cable: factory-installed to eliminate signal loss at junction points, ensuring optimal performance
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Ideal for remote sensing: used for ground-truthing overflight sensors, matching satellite data, and ensuring accurate spectral measurements under varying environmental conditions
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Recommended for sunlight use: essential for reliable data collection under natural light
Why post-dispersive technology matters
Pre-dispersive systems: Disperse light before reaching the sample, relying on an internal light source.
Post-dispersive systems: Disperse light after reflection, allowing external light sources like the sun to be used.
The post-dispersive system technology used in ASD instruments offers superior analysis capabilities:
- Measures reflected energy from external light sources
- Adapts to different lighting conditions without internal light dependence
- Provides reliable calibration for spectral radiometry
Key applications
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- Remote sensing
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- Spectral remote sensing: Collection of visible, near infrared, and short-wave infrared images for the detection, identification, and quantification of surface materials, biological, and chemical processes for research and analysis in numerous environmental and military applications.
- Remote sensing and geology: ASD’s spectroradiometers have been used for decades for remote geologic interpretation. Accurate field conditions replication is crucial for supporting overflight sensors.
- Atmospheric remote sensing research: observations of direct, diffuse, and total spectral solar irradiance, as well as sky and cloud radiance, are essential for atmospheric research in many climate and ecosystem energy balance studies.
- Airborne remote sensing measurements: the collection of spectra over areas that are too large or inaccessible for ground-based measurement.
- Ground Truthing
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Laboratory-quality in situ field measurements with equivalent illumination and viewing geometry for accurate correlation to satellite and aircraft sensor data.
- Field spectroscopy
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Field spectroscopy — the study of the interrelationships between the spectral characteristics of objects and their biophysical attributes in the field environment.
- Plant physiology
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ASD systems are used to determine plant physiological status, including disease status, nutritional status related to nitrogen uptake and moisture balance.
- Camouflage characterization and detection
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The detection of camouflaged or hidden objects requires a measurement that provides a contrast between the object and background materials.
- Calibrations
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- Sensor calibration: an accurate radiance calibration of an imaging sensor is critical to many remote sensing applications.
- Spectroradiometry and radiometric calibration: spectroradiometry, the measurement of absolute optical radiation at each wavelength, is applicable to a variety of settings, including measuring the spectral energy output of a lamp, LED display, or other light source to determination of the flux of sunlight reaching a forest floor or other scene.
- Supervised classification
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Supervised classification can be performed using either image-derived or field-measured spectral signatures.
- Landscape ecology and ecology research
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The ability to accurately perform reflectance and radiometric measurements of vegetation and soil in the field is critical to understanding light utilization and partitioning within a plant community.
- Biomass analysis
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From characterization of oil content of soybeans and other crops, to quantification of key parameter levels in biofuel processing and quality analysis of final product, near-infrared spectroscopy is the ideal measurement tool.
The mineral exploration process
- Aerial survey with sensors: Specialized sensors scan large areas for mineral deposits
- Ground-level confirmation with FieldSpec: Validates and refines aerial survey images
- Targeted drilling: Uses confirmed data to identify precise drilling locations
- Material analysis: XRF identifies metals, while NIR pinpoints specific mineral compositions
The ASD FieldSpec 4 full spectral range makes it ideal for field campaigns needed to ground-truth orbital measurements, which typically extend to the longer wavelengths.
Dr. Ulyana Horodyskyj — CEO of Science in the Wild
