The ADS is the first commercial digital airborne camera.
It was developed in a co-operation between DLR and the company LH-Systems. The high-resolution imaging system ADS (Airborne Digital Sensor) is a development to fulfill both photogrammetric and remote sensing requirements. The new sensor was introduced in mid 2000 and will close the digital chain for airborne photogrammetric data processing.
The Airborne Digital Sensor ADS40 is the worldwide first commercially available airborne camera. It is a highly precise measurement device basing on CCD line sensor technology. The fully automated system is designed for the generation of true color 3D data products in photogrammetry and for thematic mapping in remote sensing.
ADS has an accuracy of better than a third of a pixel (1,1 µm). The ADS system controls the accuracy of the optics and focal plane system under flight and environmental conditions (pressure and temperature). The ADS project is introduced as a design based on a modular, customised CCD line-scanner concept, with 4 to 6 multispectral CCD lines (12.000 Pixel) and 3 panchromatic CCD lines (24.000 Pixel). The sensor system works complete automatically.