The Sentera NDVI Upgrade for DJI Phantom 4 Pro transforms a standard DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone into a powerful precision agriculture tool. By integrating a specialized near-infrared (NIR) sensor, this upgrade enables the capture of valuable data on crop health and vigor, allowing for informed decision-making and optimized resource management. This cost-effective solution enhances crop monitoring capabilities, helping farmers identify plants under stress, assess crop vigor, and make data-driven decisions about fertilizer application and other inputs.
With the Sentera NDVI upgrade, farmers can streamline field scouting, identify problem areas early, and generate accurate NDVI maps for detailed analysis. The system's seamless integration with Sentera’s AgVault (now FieldAgent) software further simplifies image processing, analysis, and reporting, providing a comprehensive solution for precision agriculture.
This upgrade offers a practical approach to enhancing crop management practices by providing actionable insights into plant health. The ability to capture high-resolution NDVI data allows for a more targeted and efficient use of resources, ultimately leading to improved yields and reduced costs.
Key Features
The Sentera NDVI Upgrade boasts several key features that make it a valuable tool for precision agriculture. The integrated 1.2MP NIR global shutter camera captures high-resolution near-infrared imagery, enabling accurate NDVI analysis and detailed crop health assessment. This allows farmers to identify subtle variations in plant health across the field, which might not be visible to the naked eye.
One of the standout features is the preservation of DJI functionality. The upgrade maintains 100% of the stock Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 camera and pilot functionalities, ensuring a seamless user experience. This means that farmers can continue to use their drone for other tasks, such as visual inspections and aerial photography, without any compromises.
The system also generates TrueNDVI maps for precise visualization and analysis of crop health variations. TrueNDVI data provides a more accurate representation of plant health compared to traditional NDVI, as it corrects for atmospheric and illumination effects. This allows for more reliable and consistent data, leading to better-informed decisions. Furthermore, the optional Micro Gimbal upgrade enhances data collection uniformity, improving the accuracy and reliability of NDVI measurements. The double 4K Lock-and-Go Stabilizing Gimbal provides a stable platform for camera integration, ensuring high-quality data capture even in challenging conditions.
Seamless integration with Sentera’s AgVault (now FieldAgent) software streamlines image processing, analysis, and reporting. AgVault provides a user-friendly interface for managing and analyzing NDVI data, allowing farmers to quickly identify areas of concern and generate reports for further investigation. The geo-tagged and time-stamped photos facilitate quick and streamlined field scouting and problem area identification, saving time and effort in the field.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Sensor | Sentera NDVI Single Sensor |
| Sensor Resolution | 1.2MP |
| Data Captured | Near-infrared (NIR) imagery |
| Data Output | TrueNDVI maps, high-quality NDVI data |
| Imager | High-sensitivity global shutter imager |
| Optics | Low-distortion optics |
| Compatibility | DJI Phantom 4 Pro (V1.0 and V2.0) |
| Weight (Sensor) | ~50 grams |
| Power Source | DJI Phantom 4 Pro Battery |
| Operating Temp | 0-40°C |
Use Cases & Applications
Farmers are leveraging the Sentera NDVI Upgrade for a variety of applications. One common use case is precision crop health monitoring, where the system is used to identify areas of stress or disease early on. This allows for targeted interventions, such as applying fungicide or adjusting irrigation, to prevent further damage and minimize yield loss.
Another application is informing input decisions, such as fertilizer application. By analyzing NDVI data, farmers can determine which areas of the field require more or less fertilizer, optimizing nutrient use and reducing costs. The system is also used for streamlined field scouting, allowing farmers to quickly identify problem areas and focus their attention where it's needed most.
NDVI maps generated by the system are used for assessing crop vigor and identifying variations in plant health across the field. This information can be used to make informed decisions about crop management practices, such as adjusting planting density or selecting the most appropriate varieties. The Sentera NDVI upgrade helps farmers identify plants under stress, enabling them to take corrective actions before problems escalate and impact yield.
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Strengths ✅ | Weaknesses ⚠️ |
|---|---|
| High-resolution NIR imagery for accurate NDVI analysis | Requires professional installation |
| Preserves full DJI Phantom 4 Pro functionality | Initial cost of the upgrade can be a barrier |
| Generates TrueNDVI maps for precise crop health assessment | Relies on the DJI Phantom 4 Pro platform, so drone maintenance is crucial |
| Seamless integration with Sentera AgVault (FieldAgent) software | Data interpretation requires some training and understanding of NDVI principles |
| Geo-tagged and time-stamped photos for streamlined field scouting | Environmental factors (cloud cover) can affect data quality |
Benefits for Farmers
The Sentera NDVI Upgrade offers several key benefits for farmers. Time savings is a significant advantage, as the system allows for quick and efficient crop monitoring. Cost reduction is achieved through optimized fertilizer application and early disease detection, minimizing input costs and preventing yield loss. The system also contributes to yield improvement by enabling farmers to make informed decisions about crop management practices, leading to healthier and more productive crops. The upgrade supports sustainable farming practices by promoting efficient resource use and reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.
Integration & Compatibility
The Sentera NDVI Upgrade seamlessly integrates with existing farm operations. It is compatible with the DJI Phantom 4 Pro (V1.0 and V2.0) drone, allowing farmers to leverage their existing drone investment. The system also integrates with Sentera’s AgVault (now FieldAgent) software, providing a comprehensive solution for image processing, analysis, and reporting. Furthermore, it allows for local stitching via Open Drone Map integration in FieldAgent™, providing flexibility in data processing options.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How does this product work? | The Sentera NDVI upgrade integrates a specialized near-infrared (NIR) sensor into your DJI Phantom 4 Pro. This sensor captures NIR imagery, which is then processed to generate NDVI maps, providing insights into crop health and vigor based on the plants' reflectance of NIR light. |
| What is the typical ROI? | The ROI varies depending on farm size, crop type, and specific application, but users can expect cost savings through optimized fertilizer application, early disease detection, and improved yield management. By identifying areas needing attention, farmers can reduce input costs and maximize crop output. |
| What setup is required? | The NDVI upgrade requires professional installation on your DJI Phantom 4 Pro. This involves integrating the NIR sensor and ensuring proper calibration for accurate data capture. Sentera provides installation services or works with authorized partners. |
| What maintenance is needed? | The sensor requires minimal maintenance. Regular cleaning of the lens is recommended to ensure optimal data quality. It's also important to keep the drone and its components in good working order, following DJI's recommended maintenance schedule. |
| Is training required to use this? | While operating the DJI Phantom 4 Pro is straightforward, understanding NDVI data and its applications requires some training. Sentera offers resources and support to help users interpret the data and make informed decisions. |
| What systems does it integrate with? | The Sentera NDVI upgrade seamlessly integrates with Sentera's AgVault (now FieldAgent) software, providing a complete solution for image processing, analysis, and reporting. It also allows for local stitching via Open Drone Map integration in FieldAgent. |
Pricing & Availability
Indicative price: $4,148 for a new, fully equipped drone in 2017. The NDVI upgrade service cost is not specified clearly in the search results, and prices may vary. Pricing can be influenced by factors such as the inclusion of the Micro Gimbal upgrade, software subscriptions, and any potential service agreements. Contact us via the Make inquiry button on this page.
