Performance of MOEMS FPI based cubic-inch hyperspectral camera

The MOEMS Fabry-Perot interferometer (MFPI) based hyperspectral cameras have the advantage of being low-cost and highly compact, but the performance characteristics determine if particular device can be used in given application. This paper describes the performance test results of exceptionally compact cubic-inch sized VNIR hyperspectral camera. This camera prototype was developed in a project supported by European Space Agency (ESA) and its long-term goal of this project was to develop reliable, compact and lightweight hyperspectral camera for space exploration vehicles, such as drones, landers and rovers. The camera operates in 650 nm - 950 nm range and the field of view is ca. 12.5° × 10° with image size of 640 × 480 pixels. The prototype was tested for operation in space environment. This involved test in a thermal vacuum chamber as well as a vibration test. The MFPI, developed by VTT, was also separately tested in near vacuum to evaluate its actuation speed and resonance characteristics. In addition to environmental tests, the camera completed wavelength and temperature calibration. The data acquisition speed and spectral characteristics were also determined. The results of these tests and other procedures are presented in this paper.