MULTIPLEX 2

A NEW PORTABLE NON-CONTACT OPTICAL SENSOR FOR PLANT SCIENCES

MULTIPLEX 2 is a hand-held multi-parameter optical sensor based on non-contact leaf or fruit autofluorescence measurements. It is operating on a long-life rechargeable battery.

Based on 15 years of research on plant autofluorescence, the MULTIPLEX 2 sensor provides a precise and complete information on the physiological state of the crop.

Thanks to its proprietary acquisition system and software, the MULTIPLEX 2 sensor is completely autonomous for easy and rapid measurements in the field. The graphic LCD with touchscreen allows a very friendly user’s interface and a real-time data display.

The measured and pre-processed data are stored in the instrument memory, and can be transferred to a computer for further statistical analysis and presentation.

The instrument allows the acquisition of a large number of data in a short time, thus opening new tracks for plant research.

An incorporated GPS module allows geo referencing of the data and mapping.

MULTIPLEX 2 provides optical signatures of:

Chlorophyll content
Content of constitutive and induced polyphenolics
Green biomass
Crop growth stage

Associated to other agronomic data, MULTIPLEX 2 is designed to provide inputs for decision support systems (DSS) for a range of crops, concerning:

Fertilisation needs (nutrients spraying)
Weed infestation (herbicide spraying)
Presence of infections by pathogens (fungicide spraying)
Crop quality forecast

Benefits

Simultaneous measurements of several optical signatures
Real-time non-contact sensing
Active sensing; measurements possible even at night
No preparation of the plant

Specifications
Measured object	Any plant material, leaves, coniferous needles, crops, turf, fruits, vegetables, grains, etc.
Measured parameters	Epidermal UV absorbance by FER method (flavonoid content) Epidermal Visible absorbance by FER method (anthocyanins content) Chlorophyll fluorescence emission ratio (chlorophyll content) UV-excited Blue-Green fluorescence (BGF) (hydroxycinnamates) Several other fluorescence ratios
Measurement area	> 10 cm diameter
Measurement distance	15 cm
Acquisition time	1 ms
Light sources	Light Emitting Diodes (LED) ; pulsed operation 3 excitation channels: UV, Green and Red optional upgrade 4 excitation channels including Blue or Amber
Detectors	Silicon photodiodes 3 detection channels: Blue, Red and Far-Red
Storage capacity	128 Mo (1 Go optional) = 1 million multi-parametric data (9 spectroscopic data, GPS location, time, temperature)
User Interfaces	3.2” (160x80) graphic LCD panel with touchscreen Sound warning
Data Interfaces	USB port for data transfer Serial port for external GPS link Data transfer compatible with Excel sheets
Temperature range	5 - 35°C (operation)
Power source	External Li-ion rechargeable battery
Power autonomy	10 hours
Charging time	5 hours
Total weight	2.5 kg (without battery)
Optical head size	16 cm Diameter x 15 cm Height

Links and Brochures
Download Multiplex 2 Optical Sensors (320K PDF)
Download Principles of Operation
Download Real-Time Optical Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture
Dualex 3 Series page Download DUALEX 3 Series (450K PDF)
Force-A References
Force-A Products Directory
Plant Science Instrumentation page