Expanding Precision in Environmental and Agricultural Monitoring: Introducing the RedEdge-P Green

Aerial multispectral imaging has fundamentally reshaped how we assess crops, ecosystems, and environmental change. At the center of this evolution is the RedEdge-P series—renowned for delivering high-resolution, radiometrically calibrated imagery that approaches satellite-grade quality while offering the fine spatial detail required to analyze individual plants.

MicaSense has introduced the RedEdge-P Green, a new multispectral sensor designed to unlock deeper insights into plant physiology, aquatic environments, and subtle environmental variation. Working alongside the RedEdge-P Red and RedEdge-P Blue, this trio provides unmatched flexibility for researchers, agronomists, and conservation specialists who need to detect the invisible details that shape plant health and ecosystem performance.

Satellite-Grade Imagery at Unmatched Resolution

For decades, remote sensing workflows relied on satellite platforms such as Landsat and Sentinel. While effective for large-scale monitoring, these systems typically offer resolutions of around 10 meters per pixel—insufficient for plant-level analysis.

The RedEdge-P series bridges this gap by delivering pan-sharpened resolutions of up to 2 cm per pixel, enabled by a high-resolution panchromatic band. This results in more than 400 times finer detail than medium-resolution satellite data. Users can distinguish individual plants, detect early weed growth, and observe subtle changes in crop development or ecosystem condition that are invisible from space.

Scientific-Grade Multispectral Data

Natural light variability poses a challenge in spectral monitoring. To ensure accuracy across time, the RedEdge-P family employs double radiometric calibration panels to normalize imagery. This feature guarantees consistent datasets, enabling reliable comparisons over days, weeks, or entire growing seasons—even under fluctuating sunlight.

Each RedEdge-P sensor captures five narrow bands through scientific-grade filters, producing reliable data for advanced vegetation indices and composites, including:

  • NDVI
  • NDRE
  • OSAVI
  • CIR
  • PRI
  • DSM and point clouds

Combined multispectral and RGB data allow for deep analysis of plant stress, pigment concentration, biomass, and early indicators of disease or nutrient deficiency.

Seamless Integration for Real-World Operations

Designed to fit effortlessly into existing workflows, RedEdge-P sensors are compatible with a wide range of drone platforms using USB, Ethernet, and serial interfaces. Their lightweight, compact form factor (745 g total) and durable IP4X-rated housing provide reliable performance in challenging field environments.

The sensors support capture rates of up to 3 images per second, enabling efficient coverage of large agricultural fields, wetlands, or coastal regions.

Enabling Advanced Machine Learning and AI Workflows

High-quality multispectral data is foundational for training effective AI models. The RedEdge-P family provides the accuracy and consistency required to develop advanced machine learning tools for:

  • Early crop counting
  • Weed detection
  • Invasive species identification
  • Habitat classification

These capabilities help organizations automate data processing, accelerate decision-making, and improve long-term resource management.

Versatile Environmental Applications

Beyond agricultural insights, the RedEdge-P sensors excel in a broad range of environmental monitoring tasks, including:

  • Coastal analysis and tidal zone mapping
  • Water resource assessments
  • Reef and shallow-water surveys
  • Sediment and erosion mapping
  • Wetland and swamp monitoring
  • Glacier and snowpack observation

Their sensitivity across visible, red-edge, and near-infrared bands delivers clarity for both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

The RedEdge-P Green: Precision in Pigment and Water Analysis

The RedEdge-P Green introduces a unique spectral configuration specifically designed to enhance pigment assessment, shallow-water mapping, and early plant stress detection.

Key Spectral Bands

  • Cyan (502 nm) – Ideal for shallow-water analysis and aquatic vegetation detection
  • Green (550 nm) – Measures chlorophyll concentration for precise plant health assessment
  • Yellow (570 nm) – Detects early leaf senescence and physiological stress
  • Red (678 nm) – Sensitive to biomass variation and vegetation vigor
  • NIR (754 nm) – Highlights plant cell structure and water content

Ideal Applications

  • Advanced carotene and anthocyanin analysis for phenotyping
  • Coastal and nearshore environmental surveys
  • Wetland and reef monitoring
  • Early detection of stress and nutrient deficiencies in precision agriculture
  • Differentiation of plant species in biodiversity studies

Completing the RedEdge-P Family

The RedEdge-P series now includes three specialized sensors, each engineered for distinct scientific and operational needs.

RedEdge-P Red

  • Red and NIR-focused bands

  • Ideal for NDVI, NDRE, and yield prediction

  • Excellent for crop health and stress monitoring

RedEdge-P Blue

  • Includes a coastal blue band

  • Supports shallow-water and sediment analysis

  • Ideal for reef health, glacier monitoring, and environmental mapping

RedEdge-P Green

  • Enhanced pigment and water-related spectral sensitivity

  • Tailored for phenotyping, biodiversity research, and early stress detection

Shared RedEdge-P Advantages

  • Ultra-high-resolution pan-sharpening (2 cm/pixel)
  • Double radiometric calibration
  • Synchronized multi-band capture with automatic geotagging
  • Up to 3 FPS capture rate
  • Broad drone compatibility

When paired together, any two RedEdge-P sensors can capture up to 10 narrow spectral bands in a single flight, offering unmatched flexibility and scientific precision.

Advancing Science and Sustainability

The arrival of the RedEdge-P Green represents more than a new sensor. It marks a significant step forward in environmental, agricultural, and ecological monitoring. Together with the RedEdge-P Red and Blue, it empowers users to analyze the world with greater clarity, make informed decisions, and contribute to more sustainable management of crops and natural ecosystems.

For more information or to integrate the RedEdge-P series into your workflow, contact the GNSS.AE team.