General Data Products

Orthomosaic

RGB Mosaic

Multispectral Mosaic

RGB VARI Mosaic

DSM/DEM

Thermal Mosaic (6X Thermal and Thermal Pro Only)

Sentera Product Catalog

These are products that can be ordered via Sentera FieldAgent. The links below will define the required flight settings and the data product deliverables.

Plot

• Plot Stand Count and Uniformity

• Plot Multispectral and/or Thermal Crop Health with Uniformity

• Plot Masked Multispectral and/or Thermal Crop Health with Uniformity

• Plot Canopy Cover and Uniformity

• Plot Anomaly Detection

Field Scale

• Field Scale Stand Count

• Field Scale Stand Count (Offline)

• Field Scale Stand Count with Uniformity

Mosaics

• RGB Mosaic

• Precision Aligned RGB Mosaic

• Multispectral and/or Thermal Crop Health Mosaic

• Precision Aligned Multispectral and/or Thermal Crop Health Mosaic

DJI

Freefly

Inspired Flight

Other

6X can be readily adapted to work on nearly any drone that can support the following connectors.

Key Specifications

Channels

The monochrome channels are based on 3.2MP global shutter focal plane arrays. These are commonly called the narrowband channels. Each narrowband channel optical path includes a high-quality optical filter.

The RGB channel is a 20.1 MP Bayer-filtered rolling shutter imager. The micro-lens filtering on the focal plane array provides RGB imaging, and this single image channel provides a 3-band RGB product.

Imager Specifications

Specification Sheet Download

6X Multispectral

6X Thermal

6X Thermal Pro

Sensor Outputs

Dimensions

Sensor Orientation Reference

There are two variants of the sensor: 6X and 6X Thermal. The 6X contains five monochrome channels and an RGB channel. The 6X Thermal contains four monochrome channels, an RGB channel, and a thermal channel.

What's The Difference?

For the 6X Thermal & Thermal Pro, the blue band monochrome imager is removed and replaced with the FLIR Boson imager. See more on the specifications page.

Introduction

Learn more about what is included with the 6X sensor. The contents of the 6X case will vary based on the 6X model that was purchased, as well as if optional accessories are also purchased.

Sensor with Gimbal

OEM Sensor

Optional Accessories

Replacement Cables

The Sentera 6X Series Sensors deliver science-grade, high-resolution visual image products through a streamlined, easy-to-use, data processing workflow.

Designed to meet the most demanding research and data science requirements, the 6X features six simultaneously triggered channels, each with a dedicated, high quality optical path. Each optical path allows for a fast capture rate (five frames per second) and produces highly accurate radiometric data.

Leveraging technology used in Sentera’s advanced sensors, the 6X is equipped with a custom processor, tailored to efficiently handle immense data throughput, and perform onboard computer vision and machine learning computations.

The 6X sensor is the camera unit, but the 6X Series Sensor kits may include a variety of components, depending on the purchase options. The 6X purchase may include a light sensor, GPS sensor, cabling, gimbal, and/or reflectance panel.

Introduction

Learn more about the anatomy of the 6X sensor or gimbal.

Sensor Anatomy

Gimbal Anatomy

Light Sensor / GPS

Select the tab with your aircraft for kit contents.

Reflectance Panel

Purchase Link

DJI Skyport

Smart Dovetail

Gremsy Hyper Quick HDMI

Information

The Sentera gimbal stabilizes the sensor in a dual-axis pitch and roll. Gimbals allow a sensor to continuously point nadir (straight down), while flying faster, covering more ground, with more accuracy, allowing the ability to gather more information, while maintaining high quality tagged images.

Isometric

Front

Profile

6X & Light Sensor

Instructions

1. Install light sensor/GPS into mounting tray.

2. Connect USB-C cable into light sensor.

3. Secure USB-C Cable.

4. Install 6X gimbal into Skyport.

5. Connect USB-C cable to gimbal.

6. Power On the aircraft.

Dual Gimbal Setup

For dual gimbal mount setup the 6X should be placed in the correct port for the slected mode of operation (sensor configuration).

Integrated Mode

Use gimbal slot 1. This will power the sensor/gimbal/light sensor, and allow the sensor to communicate with the DJI autopilot and ingest trigger commands, GPS, altitude, and attitude information.

Stand Alone Mode (Sentera GPS)

Use gimbal slot 2. This will power the sensor/gimbal/light sensor/external GPS. The 6X will use the light sensor/GPS module for GPS and altitude data, as well as allow the 6X to self trigger based on the auto-height overlap settings.

Light Sensor/GPS Mounting

If a Light Sensor/GPS was purchased with the 6X, the hardware to mount to the drone needs to be installed. See the instructions linked below.

Adding 6X to DJI Pilot

6X & Light Sensor

Instructions

1. Install light sensor/GPS into mounting tray.

2. Connect USB-C cable into light sensor.

3. Secure USB-C Cable.

4. Install 6X gimbal into Skyport.

5. Connect USB-C cable to gimbal.

6. Power On the aircraft.

Dual Gimbal Setup

For dual gimbal mount setup the 6X should be placed in the correct port for the slected mode of operation (sensor configuration).

Integrated Mode

Use gimbal slot 1. This will power the sensor/gimbal/light sensor, and allow the sensor to communicate with the DJI autopilot and ingest trigger commands, GPS, altitude, and attitude information.

Stand Alone Mode (Sentera GPS)

Use gimbal slot 2. This will power the sensor/gimbal/light sensor/external GPS. The 6X will use the light sensor/GPS module for GPS and altitude data, as well as allow the 6X to self trigger based on the auto-height overlap settings.

Light Sensor/GPS Mounting

If a Light Sensor/GPS was purchased with the 6X, the hardware to mount to the drone needs to be installed. See the instructions linked below.

Adding 6X to DJI Pilot

Introduction

Installation instructions for the gimballed 6X sensor on supported drone platforms.

For custom OEM installations please see the integration section of this manual.

DJI Aircraft

Freefly Aircraft

Inspired Flight

Introduction

Learn more about operating the 6X sensor, what flight settings should be used, and how to offload data.

Standard Operating Procedure

Recommended Flight Settings

Status LEDs

SD Card

Data Offload

6X & Light Sensor

Instructions

1. Install light sensor/GPS into mounting tray.

2. Connect the 90 degree adapter to the straight end of the USB-C cable.

3. Connect USB-C cable into light sensor.

4. Secure USB-C Cable.

5. Install 6X gimbal into Skyport.

6. Connect USB-C cable to gimbal.

7. Power On the aircraft.

Light Sensor/GPS Mounting

If a Light Sensor/GPS was purchased with the 6X, the hardware to mount to the drone needs to be installed. See the instructions linked below.

6X & Light Sensor

Instructions

1. Install light sensor/GPS into mounting tray.

2. Connect USB-C cable into light sensor.

3. Secure USB-C Cable using upper cable clip.

4. Secure USB-C Cable using lower cable clip.

5. Install 6X gimbal into smart dovetail.

6. Secure smart dovetail latch.

7. Connect USB-C cable to gimbal.

8. Power on the aircraft.

Light Sensor/GPS Mounting

If a Light Sensor/GPS was purchased with the 6X, the hardware to mount to the drone needs to be installed. See the instructions linked below.

Compatibility

If you have an IF1200 that was not configured for Sentera sensors by Inspired Flight or Sentera, use the following instructions:

About

In this mode the 6X uses GPS data from the light sensor/GPS module to determine when it should trigger the camera.

Default Configuration

6X & Light Sensor

Compatibility Instructions

Current Astro firmware and 6X firmware requires two parameters to be set for seamless operation. Please use the page linked below for instructions on how to set the parameters.

Instructions

1. Install light sensor/GPS into mounting tray.

2. Install 6X gimbal into smart dovetail.

3. Secure smart dovetail latch.

4. Connect USB-C cable into light sensor.

5. Secure USB-C Cable.

6. Connect USB-C cable to gimbal.

7. Power On the aircraft.

Light Sensor/GPS Mounting

If a Light Sensor/GPS was purchased with the 6X, the hardware to mount to the drone needs to be installed. See the instructions linked below.

Purpose

The Micro SD card is used for recording diagnostic log file data.

Specifications

Provided Card

SD Card Formatting Tool

Introduction

Use the following pages to learn about what equipment is needed to offload data from the 6X, how to offload the data, and how to import the data into post processing software.

Equipment

Offload Process

Data Import

File Structure

Getting Started

To ensure the gimbal steering for the 6X Series Sensors will work for Inspired Flight aircraft two things need to be checked:

Verify that the 6X is on firmware version 3.13.1 or higher

Verify that the Inspired Flight compatibility parameters are set on the aircraft

Manual Gimbal Control

To manually control the gimbal use the rocker wheel on the left hand side of the herelink controller.

Pushing the wheel to the right will point the gimbal downwards (NADIR).

Pushing the wheel to the left will point the gimbal forward.

Automated Gimbal Control

To set a gimbal angle for a mapping mission do the following:

1. Navigate to the Plan screen
2. Select Survey (or other mission type)
3. Select the Waypoint option from the left hand menu
4. Place a waypoint into the flight plan
5. In the waypoint mission item on the right hand side of the screen select the camera drop down menu.
6. Check the gimbal options box, then enter your desired gimbal pitch angle.
7. Then plan the rest of your flight as normal. The gimbal will change the pitch angle of the sensor at the waypoint and remain at that pitch angle throughout the rest of the mission. to add additional gimbal pitch changes use the same method between survey mission items, or plan a waypoint mission and add the gimbal change commands as desired.

Isometric

Top

Left

Right

Base Kit

SKU: 21230

• 6X Sensor.

• Hard Case w/ Custom Foam.

• 4ft Custom Ethernet Cable.

• 3ft Custom Power Cable.

• 3ft USB-C to USB-A cable.

• Incident Light Sensor & GPS Module

• Calibrated Reflectance Panel

• USB-C to USB-C Cable

SKUs

Sensor Cables

Data Transfer Cables

USB-C to USB-A

USB-C to USB-C

Power Cable

SKU: 34028-00

Contact support@sentera.com or your sales rep to purchase a replacement 6X power supply.

Light Sensor/GPS Cables

OEM/Integrator Cables

Contact support@sentera.com or your sales rep to purchase a replacement 6X integrator cables.

6X & Light Sensor

Instructions

1. Install light sensor/GPS into mounting tray.

2. Connect USB-C cable into light sensor.

3. Secure USB-C Cable.

4. Install 6X gimbal into smart dovetail.

5. Secure smart dovetail latch.

6. Connect USB-C cable to gimbal.

7. Power on the aircraft.

Light Sensor/GPS Mounting

If a Light Sensor/GPS was purchased with the 6X, the hardware to mount to the drone needs to be installed. See the instructions linked below.

Compatibility

If you have an IF800 that was not configured for Sentera sensors by Inspired Flight or Sentera, use the following instructions:

Flight Settings

Orthomosaic

Mission Parameter Calculator

Check out our free web based mission parameter calculator to find your ideal flight settings:

Capture Performance

The maximum capture rate of the 6X Series Sensors is 5 FPS. The charts below show how the camera performs given different altitude, flight speed, and overlap settings.

Capture Rate Versus Altitude - Constant Speed

Capture Rate Versus Flight Speed - Constant Altitude

Environmental Considerations

Time of Day

Fly mid-day when the sun is highest in the sky (solar noon) to reduce shadowing effects. Solar noon will change depending on global location and time of year.

Cloud Cover

Flying with uniform lighting conditions is optimal for 6X. This means no clouds (clear), mostly clear, or completely overcast.

Precipitation

Flying in foggy, rainy, or snowy conditions is not advised.

Sentera Product Catalog

For more in-depth flight settings for 6X and 6X Thermal visit the Sentera Product catalog.

Operational Modes

The 6X can operate in two different modes. Each of these modes has a slightly different Standard Operating Procedure.

Integrated Mode

In this mode the 6X ingests triggering commands and GPS/Altitude/Attitude from the drone to capture and geotag imagery. This is the most common operational mode.

Supported Aircraft:

• DJI M300/350

• DJI M200/210

• Freefly Astro

• Inspired Flight IF800 & IF1200

Stand Alone Mode (External GPS)

In this mode the 6X uses GPS data from the light sensor/GPS module to determine when it should trigger the camera.

Notes

Getting Started

Learn how to update the firmware for the 6X sensor.

Firmware Email Notification Sign up

Stay up to date with the latest firmware. Sign up and receive an email whenever we release a new firmware for your sensor

Latest Version

Equipment

How To Update

Post Processing In QGIS With Sentera Plugin

Getting Started

The 6X stores the imagery on an internal solid state hard drive that is not removable from the sensor. Use the process outline below to access the collected data.

Power On Sensor

Power the 6X using the AC adapter or keep it attached to the aircraft and turn the aircraft on.

Then wait for the LEDS on the sensor to do the following:

This verifies that the sensor is fully booted and ready for data offload.

Connect USB-C Cable to Sensor and Computer

Connect the sensor to the computer using a USB cable.

Verify Connection

Open your wifi/network panel from the task bar. Verify that you see "unidentified network - No internet". This is the 6X appearing as a network device.

Open A File Browser Window

Navigate To Sensor Storage

Navigate to the 6X internal storage by typing \\192.168.42.1 into the address bar of the file browser and pressing enter.

Login To Sensor

Windows will display a network credentials pop-up. The user name is sentera and there is no password. Press OK.

Select Data Folder

Select Snapshots

Select Session Folder

Session folders are the folders where the imagery is stored for each flight.

Copy Folder

About

In this mode the 6X ingests triggering commands and GPS/Altitude/Attitude from the drone to capture and geotag imagery. This is the most common operational mode.

Default Configuration

General Instructions

1. Assemble aircraft.

2. Install 6X & Light Sensor/GPS.

3. Power aircraft

4. Verify a session has started.

5. Capture calibration images (optional).

6. Verify camera model, altitude, overlap , and flight speed settings in flight app.

7. Fly.

8. Offload data (optional).

Detail Instructions

Assemble Aircraft

Assembly the aircraft per manufacturer instructions.

Attach 6X & Light Sensor/GPS

1. Attach 6X to the aircraft.

2. Attach the light sensor/GPS to the aircraft.

3. Connect the light sensor/GPS to the 6X using the provided USB-C to USB-C cable.

4. Secure the USB-C to USB-C cable to the aircraft.

Power Aircraft & Wait For Session Start

1. Power the aircraft on.

2. Let the 6X boot (solid status red LEDs).

3. Verify the 6X has started a session (solid green status LEDs). This take about 1 minute and requires a GPS fix.

Capture Calibration Images (Optional)

1. Place the reflectance panel on a flat surface in direct sunlight.

2. Pick up the aircraft and hold it waist high with the 6X directly over the reflectance panel.

3. Press the button on the light sensor to start the calibration image capture.

4. Hold the aircraft over the panel until the image capture is complete.

5. Set down aircraft and pick up panel.

Verify Flight Settings

Verify the camera model/parameters, flight speed, survey altitude, and overlap settings.

Fly

Prepare the aircraft for launch, then fly.

Offload Data (optional)

Offload the data after aircraft has landed or fly again.

General Instructions

1. Assemble aircraft.

2. Install 6X & Light Sensor/GPS.

3. Power aircraft

4. Verify a session has started.

5. Verify overlap settings on 6X via webpage user interface.

6. Verify camera model, altitude, overlap, and flight speed settings in flight app.

   • Aircraft must be flown East facing.

7. Capture calibration images (optional).

8. Fly.

9. Offload data (Optional).

Detailed Instructions

Assemble Aircraft

Assembly the aircraft per manufacturer instructions.

Attach 6X & Light Sensor/GPS

1. Attach 6X to the aircraft.

2. Attach the light sensor/GPS to the aircraft.

3. Connect the light sensor/GPS to the 6X using the provided USB-C to USB-C cable.

4. Secure the USB-C to USB-C cable to the aircraft.

Power Aircraft & Wait For Session Start

1. Power the aircraft on.

2. Let the 6X boot (solid status red LEDs).

3. Verify the 6X has started a session (solid green status LEDs). This take about 1 minute and requires a GPS fix.

Verify Camera Settings

1. Connect USB-C cable to the USB-C port on the 6X.

2. Connect the other end of the cable to a laptop.

3. Open the webpage user interface.

4. Select Configuration.

5. Under Trigger verify the overlap is set to the desired percentage.

6. Unplug the USB-C cable from the 6X.

Verify Flight Settings

Verify the camera model/parameters, flight speed, survey altitude, and overlap settings.

The side overlap setting in the flight planning app should match the overlap setting on the 6X. This ensures the aircraft will fly with the appropriate spacing between transects that the 6X is expecting.

Capture Calibration Images (Optional)

1. Place the reflectance panel on a flat surface in direct sunlight.

2. Pick up the aircraft and hold it waist high with the 6X directly over the reflectance panel.

3. Press the button on the light sensor to start the calibration image capture.

4. Hold the aircraft over the panel until the image capture is complete.

5. Set down aircraft and pick up panel.

Fly

Prepare the aircraft for launch, then fly.

Offload Data (optional)

Offload the data after aircraft has landed or fly again.

Red Solid

The 6X is booting/not ready.

Green Solid

The 6X has booted and a session has started.

White Flash

The 6X took a picture.

Red Flashing

The 6X has detected an error.

This can also be a sign of the internal storage being full.

Version 3.13.1

Release Notes

3.13.1

Features

• Add gimbal control for Inspired Flight IF800/IF1200A

Bug Fixes

• Fix disabling of Color Correction Matrix (CCM)

• Fix TIFFTAG type of XMP data for monochrome images

Previous Releases

Power Sensor

Power the sensor using the AC power adapter or install into the aircraft and turn the aircraft on.

Then wait for the LEDS on the sensor to do the following:

This verifies that the sensor is fully booted.

Connect To Computer

Connect the sensor to the computer using a USB cable.

Verify Connection

Open your wifi/network panel from the task bar. Verify that you see "unidentified network - No internet". This is the 65R appearing as a network device.

Open Web Browser

Open a web browser (chrome, safari, firefox, etc).

Enter IP Address

In the address bar enter 192.168.42.1 and press enter/go.

Page Appears

The webpage will appear.

Required

Optional

Introduction

The 6X hosts a local web page that is used for several applications including: Status, Configuration, Image Adjustment, and updating firmware.

How To Access Web Page User Interface

Home Page

Configuration Page

Image Adjustment Page

Firmware Update

Navigate to Configuration Page

Locate Trigger Field and Select Overlap

Set Overlap

Press Apply and Restart

Wait For Sensor to Reconnect

Verify Correct Overlap is Shown

Getting Started

The 6X stores the imagery on an internal solid state hard drive that is not removeable from the sensor. Use the process outline below to access the collected data.

Power On Sensor

Power the 6X using the AC adapter or keep it attached to the aircraft and turn the aircraft on.

Then wait for the LEDS on the sensor to do the following:

This verifies that the sensor is fully booted and ready for data offload.

Connect USB-C Cable to Sensor and Computer

Connect the sensor to the computer using a USB cable.

Open A Finder Window

Once the 6X is fully booted it will appear as a network location in the left hand menu of the Finder window.

Select Data Folder

Select the 6X location and then select the data folder.

Select Snapshots

Select Session Folder

Session folders are the folders where the imagery is stored for each flight.

Copy Folder

Eject Sensor

Navigate to Image Adjustment Page

Set Desired Values

The settings on this page can be applied while a session is currently running and no reboot of the camera is needed.

Press Apply

After modifying one or more values, click the ‘Apply’ button in the lower right corner of the page. The settings will be updated for the next trigger.

Test Image (optional)

If a session is currently running, the ‘Capture Image’ button will be enabled on this page to allow more rapid testing of settings changes. Sessions can be started from the `Home` page if one isn’t currently running.

Download Firmware Update File

Before You Start

Power On Sensor

Power the 6X using the AC adapter or keep it attached to the aircraft and turn the aircraft on.

Then wait for the LEDS on the sensor to do the following:

This verifies that the sensor is fully booted.

Connect Sensor to Computer

Connect the sensor to the computer using a USB cable.

Verify Connection

Open your wifi/network panel from the task bar. Verify that you see "unidentified network - No internet". This is the 6X appearing as a network device.

Open Sensor Webpage

In a web browser (no internet required) type 192.168.42.1 into the address bar and press enter.

Select Update Firmware

Apply Firmware File

Allow Update to Execute

The software update process begins and may take several minutes. Do not turn off the power or disconnect the cable during this process. It may reboot several times during the process.

Allow Sensor to Self-Reboot

Complete

Once complete, the web page will refresh. You can check the firmware version after the web page refreshes by checking the 'Current Version' at the top of the update page, or the version in the lower left of the web page menu bar.

Introduction

The configuration page is used to change:

• How the 6X interacts with the aircraft it is connected to.

• The triggering method

In most cases the 6X is preconfigured based on what aircraft/system the camera is ordered for and the configuration doesn't need to be changed.

To learn how to change the configuration of the 6X or change the overlap for auto-height overlap mode, see the pages linked below.

How To Instructions

Platform/Metadata Configuration

The platform and metadata configuration is used to tell the 6X what aircraft it will be used with and where data sources (altitude, GPS, heading, etc) will come from.

Config File

The Config File field will display the currently config file. It also contains the change button used for changing the config file.