View source for 353 in a nutshell

This page should give a very brief overview about all aspects of what the Elphel 353 camera is about.


==Dimensions & Weight==

Example: '''NC353L-10369-HDD''' with [[10369]] IO board and internal 1.8" HDD installed:

[[Image:Camera-353-Nutshell-Dimensi.jpg]]

Dimensions without HDD: 116mm х 45mm х 45mm

NC353L Weight: 150 - 215g (depending on installed internal hardware, excluding HDD)

==Connectors==

Example: '''NC353L-10369-HDD''' with [[10369]] IO board and internal 1.8" HDD installed:

[[Image:Camera-353-Nutshell-Connect.jpg]]

'''SATA''': Can be used to connect any external SATA device that is supported under Linux

'''Ethernet''': 100MBit Network with 48V DC power provided through spare pairs (4/6 and 7/8)

'''USB''': USB 1.1 with 5V power supply

'''IDE''': Used to connect internal HDD

'''Sync''': Can be used to sync multiple cameras or trigger shooting images externally

'''RS232''': Access to Console and debug output

==Internal Hardware Modules==

Strongly simplified the camera can be split up in 3 different hardware modules with their specific tasks:

[[Image:Camera-353-Hardware-Modules.jpg]]

'''Lens''': The camera has a standard C-mount but ships with an adapter ring that allows to mount CS-lenses as well. 

'''Sensor-Frontend''': houses the actual sensor that delivers the digital image

* Aptina 5MPix CMOS (video sensor)
* Kodak 11MPix CCD (still image sensor)
* Kodak 16MPix CCD (still image sensor)

'''FPGA''': ('''F'''ield '''P'''rogrammable '''G'''ate '''A'''rray) processes the incoming image data (color manipulations, compression, etc) in realtime

* Xilinx (R) Spartan3e 1200K gates 

'''CPU''': can direct the processed image stream (video) over a network or into a file (HDD or CF card), it can do all tasks a normal embedded computer can do (web server, peripherals, etc. )

* Axis ETRAX FS (200Mhz CPU, 64MB SDRAM, 128MB system flash memory, 64MB image memory)

==Sensors==
[[Image:Cam front.jpg|thumb|150px|1/2.5" 5Mpix CMOS]] 
There are 3 different modules that can be used as sensor front-ends:

'''Aptina 5MPix CMOS:'''

This cost efficient [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayer_filter bayer-pattern] sensor has a size of 1/2.5" (5.70mm x 4.28mm) and a resolution of 2592x1944. It allows a maximum frame rate of around 15 fps @ full resolution, 30fps @ Full HD (1920x1080) or 60 fps @ HD (1280x720). It features a 12 bit ADC and supports: region of interest, on-chip binning and decimation.

Optionally you can request a 5Mpix monochrome or 3Mpix sensor upon purchase.

'''Kodak 11MPix CCD''':

This high grade (also high price) full-frame (36mm x 24mm) sensor requires the [[10347]] controller and [[10342]] interface board as well as a mechanical shutter. It can supply a maximum of 5 fps.
This setup is actually called model 363 not 353 anymore.

'''Kodak 16MPix CCD''':

As above, but requires the [[10347]] controller and [[10344]] interface board board and a mechanical shutter. It can supply a maximum of 3 fps. No turnkey solution available.

==Power Supply==
There are 3 hardware configurations available to provide power to the camera:

* 48V DC power supply using the same cable as used for network connection.

* 12-36V DC for mobile applications with best efficiency at around 15V. This also uses the standard network cable. This works with any type of battery pack that can supply a stable current between 12-36V.

* single 3.3V source


Here are some results on power consumption test made in different configurations with Elphel 353 camera, 5MPix sensor, 10349 board, 1,8" HDD,....

<table border="1">
<tr><td>2400 milliwatts</td><td>just booted</td></tr>
<tr><td>3000 milliwatts</td><td>after setting image parameters</td></tr>
<tr><td>3700 milliwatts</td><td>streamer on</td></tr>
<tr><td>3300 milliwatts</td><td>streamer off</td></tr>
<tr><td>3800 milliwatts</td><td>streamer on and somebody playing the stream</td></tr>
<tr><td>5000 milliwatts</td><td>with streamer on and HD writing at full speed (dd)</td></tr>
<tr><td>5800 milliwatts</td><td>streamer on, HD and USB-flash writing at full speed</td></tr>
<tr><td>3300 milliwatts</td><td>back to streamer off</td></tr>
</table>

==Storage Media==
[[Image:NC353L-10369-COMPASS.jpeg|thumb|150px|Example: NC353L-10369-GEO with CF card and compass module installed]]
With [[10369]] interface board it is possible to connect any storage device using IDE or SATA that is supported by Linux. This also allows the connection of a hardware raid.


Elphel offers 2 hardware options for camera internal storage: 
* 2 CF card slots 
* 1.8" HDD.

Video can also be recorded over network (100MBit) on a host computer.


Video can be written/transferred in the following formats/containers: 
* Apple Quicktime(R)
* OGM
* JPEG Image Sequence
* JP4 RAW Image Sequence
* Ogg Theora
* HDR

==Additional Peripheral Devices==

* '''Soundcard (USB)''': adds the possibility to record/stream audio synced together with the video.

* '''GPS receiver (USB) & compass module (USB)''': allows geotagged video/still image recording.

* '''Micro Controller''': Allow the micro controller to take full control over the camera. [[Arduino | Arduino Example]]

==[[Images_and_videos_examples|Images and videos examples]]==