MicaSense Sensors support three methods of Auto-Capture: Overlap mode, Timer Mode, and External Trigger mode. You can configure these settings in the WiFi Configuration > Settings page.
Overlap Mode (recommended)
In overlap mode, when the aircraft climbs to within your target altitude tolerance below your target altitude, the sensor will start capturing and only take a capture if it has traveled enough distance to ensure the overlap percentage you have specified. When the camera's altitude is below your target altitude tolerance from the target altitude, the camera stops capturing. Older versions of camera firmware had a default Target Alt Tolerance of 50 meters.
We recommend this mode because it helps ensure proper overlap (75% or higher), which is essential in order to produce high-quality output when processing the data.
Timer Mode
When in timer mode, the sensor will capture according the timer period (which is every two seconds by default). If the timer period is set to less than 1.0 seconds, the camera will capture as quickly as it can (about once a second). You can review and verify that images are being captured by selecting the Live View page in the camera's web configuration. Use the "All Bands" setting in that page to verify that all five imagers are functioning correctly and the images displayed are being updated at the interval rate selected.
External Trigger Mode
CAUTION Care should be taken when multiple “grounds” are used for power and trigger of the camera. Only one ground should be connected to the camera – typically this is the ground that corresponds to the source of the power. If the ground of the trigger signal and the ground of the power source are different, they should not be joined together electrically at the camera. Contact support if further information is needed.
For more details on PWM, see your sensor's integration guide:
- Altum Integration Guide
- RedEdge-MX Integration Guide
- RedEdge-M Integration Guide
- RedEdge Integration Guide
- RedEdge-P Integration Guide
- Altum-PT Integration Guide
The HTTP API is the most powerful way to interface to the RedEdge. You can use this API using either the Ethernet connector or the WiFi access point.
The API is accessed via HTTP connection to port 80 at the camera IP address. All data is exchanged in the JSON format.
The actual value of the IP address depends on the configuration. When accessing the camera via its WiFi access point, the camera IP address will be 192.168.10.254. When the camera is connected to an Ethernet network, the camera IP address will be 192.168.1.83 by default.
The camera can be commanded to take a capture by either a GET or POST request to the /capture URL.
For more information and examples, please see the MicaSense HTTP Control API
Serial API
The Serial API provides a MavLink interface to MicaSense Sensors. You can use this API by connecting your MavLink-capable system to the host serial port on the camera.
The API is accessed via serial messages in the Mavlink format (more info). Mavlink provides an open data format for interaction as well as a suite of tools to assist the programmer in developing and testing the interface. MicaSense sensors use Mavlink v1.0 messages and communicates with the host at 57600 baud.
The DIGICAM_CONFIGURE message can be used to set up the camera imagers.
The DIGICAM_CONTROL message will command a capture, and the camera will send a CAMERA_STATUS and a CAMERA_FEEDBACK message in response.
For more information and examples, please see the MicaSense Serial API Documentation