Acute Logic & Lead CCTV PE-1005S HD Camera Module

[dexters_lab]

The ADV7171 also only has an 8-bit wide input bus, whereas the camera outputs 16-bit.

You could maybe feed the separate H/V syncs to the chip, but you'd still need a small CPLD to combine the Luma and Chroma samples first.

In theory, that would also get around the need to convert the pixel clock, as the ADV7151 would just output analog video.

Umm, unless I misunderstood the datasheet it definitely claims to have 16 bit input, also has H/V sync inputs. Interesting little chip that solves many of the problems I was going to use an FPGA for, I may spin a board and play with them anyway, even if they're not suitable for the camera.

ahh ok, yea looks like your right Clint, sorry!!

Will have to examine the datasheet in some detail to see if it can be compatible with the output of the camera... it certainly looks pretty close

[dexters_lab]

Why not encode and serialize the SDI directly in the FPGA and use just a cable driver after that?

//EDIT: First google result for a HD-SDI serializer + driver: LMH0340 (and less capable derivates). Nice package, but fuuuuuuuuck the price.  (but bearable price from the wild east)

Speed i think is the issue, SD-SDI is ok (270mbps)  but once you make the jump to HD the output serial speed goes nuts (approx 1.5gbps)

[Yansi]

Sure, and 3gbps for 3G-SDI.    (Cyclone IV GX series should be able to do it)

I have put down a bit of thought how could I approach the camera myself - and ended up with Cyclone IV FPGA. Essentially, it is the same as the MAX10 internally, but larger.

I have found that I can buy Cyclone IVs from china for as low as a couple of bucks - so out of curiosity, I have ordered a bunch of cheap (up to suspiciously cheap) EP4CE6E22C8N. Very interested if or what will arrive.

EP4CE6E22C8N is the smallest of them in LQFP144: 6.3kLE, 270kb ram. Comparing to the MAX10 OzOnE has used, this shall be enough.

Disadvantage is, that I need at least 3 power supply voltage (Vcore, PLL, Vio) and a configuration flash (EPCS4).  But it does not seem too difficult and I would make the PCB 4 layers anyway.

First I'd have to make myself more familiar with VHDL (it's been years since I've touched it) and the FPGA itself, including probably the new Quartus software (I have only 13.1 installed currently).  Let's hope it'll go well.

//EDIT: Grammar. :-/

[dexters_lab]

So it seems everyone wants to do their own thing with this camera, given one of the hurdles is the connector so how about i make a passive breakout PCB that can mount on the bottom of the camera and breakout all the pins to something easier to work with like a 1.27mm pitch pin header?

That way it'll make it simpler for you all to use with whatever FPGA/SDI/Video ICs you want

I should be able to get my channel sponsor to cover the costs to make the boards

let me know what you all think?

[Yansi]

https://cz.mouser.com/datasheet/2/315/AXT%203%204-1196688.pdf

I don't see anything difficult on that connector. 0.4 pitch is standard even on LQFP ICs and the pins stick out on the sides almost 0.5mm, no hidden GND pads under the connector body itself.

Try soldering one of the SMD SATA connectors, or just one of these modern Samtec connectors for high speed digital, that has the GND knife in the middle, such as QTH-030-02-F-D-A. https://www.snapeda.com/parts/QTH-030-02-F-D-A/Samtec/view-part/
That is what I call i difficult to solder connector.

Also don't see a reason why a 60-70MHz bus shall be routed through a piece of likely impedance-inappropriate extender - or not?

But I am not against that in any way! Just thinking it may not be necessary.

//But maybe I won't care anyway, as I will probably not receive a camera. Seems some shipping problems, in between the seller and/or the transport company? Not sure yet.//

[Yansi]

Any progress with evil camera hacking? 

I have currently only reduced free time for toying, so I am currently stuck with other stuff with higher priority, I have to finish first. Anyway...

As an FPGA n00bie, this may be a bit too much to chew as a project, so please forgive me a couple of the following dumb questions. Any help welcome!

1) The camera provides its video output at just 66MHz with almost no blanking intervals, but the overall frame rate and resolution fits: To convert to a standard 74.25MHz pixel clock rate, I only need to buffer a single line (two respectively): One being written with 66MHz rate, while the other will be pushed out at 74.25MHz. Is that correct?

2) Camera output is only YCbCr. I still have big mess in my head and hard time understanding what the difference between all those color spaces exactly are (YUV, YPbPr, YCbCr, Y'CbCr, RGB, R'G'B', etc..), but I understand to convert between any two of these, only 3x3 matrix multiplication is required.  Question is: Do I need an FPGA with a HW multiplier to be able to accomplish a color space conversion? Is it possible to build a good enough performing multipliers from the generic logic fabric? (Yes, that f!cking FPGA I'd like to use does have exactly 0 multipliers).

3) As the camera outputs only 30 frames/s, is this output mode generally accepted by HDMI sinks? (TVs, monitors) I hope it is...


What I was thinking about accomplishing is to provide a conventional HDMI output and also HD-SDI (1.485Gbps) output.
I have researched what FPGAs are available and Altera Cyclone IV  EP4CGX15BF14C8N seems to fit the best. (15k LE, 540kbit mem, 2x 2.5Gbps TRX, 72 IOs, FBGA169).  I will use the EP4CE6E22C8N only in case I fail with the FBGA169 pcb design.
For the HDMI transmitter, I have selected a Silicon Image (Lattice) SiI9022ACNR (165MHz 24bit QFN72, 3V3/1V8 compatible), which costs peanuts (compared to for example an AD7513).
For the HD-SDI output, I'd like to use the internal serdes in the FPGA and add just an external cable driver. (Yet to decide which one, can't find any cheap enough one).
I will try to squeeze the design on a 4L pcb. Hopefully the FPGA can be done on 4L. 

Thank you for any comments on this.

[Yansi]

Any ideas or thoughts anyone? Or Everyone already finished toying with their cameras and projects are done? 

Finally decided to use Gennum GS2988 cable driver instead of Microchip EQCO30T5. Those Gennum chips seem to get even cheaper than those from Microchip. Either way, they seem to be pin compatible or sort of.

[dexters_lab]

Not sure where OzOnE got upto, i know he had video and I2C control

i think he was toying with the idea of another pcb design but everyone's requirements seem to be different

CJay, i have your cameras here BTW

[RoadRunner]

There has been quite progress from other forum members but i still felt tempted to interface this camera to USB3.0 with FX3 so here is little story of success. i have also received few camera modules from Mjolinor , but only one of them was able to survive shipping. 

I implemented opensource USB UVC firmware so that any application that support UVC can stream almost 1Gbps full HD 1080p video Over cypress FX3 USB 3.0.

Camera output has little odd output timing which has been handled by FX3 GPIF frontend.

Images attached to this message shows image quality is really nice.

Complete description, PCB ,Firmware source with more description and images are available on my blog.

https://www.circuitvalley.com/2020/02/diy-usb-3-1080-full-hd-camera-PE1005-auto-focus-optical-zoom-cypress-fx3-usb.html

[dexters_lab]

very nice 

[PlainName]

Wow! First class job, that man 

[Yansi]

Cute! But why the gloves friend? 

Also, could you share some tests of the captured video output?

USB3 is way past what I would attack, I think it'd be enough for me to convert to just HDMI plus a HD-SDI outptu. Another silly challenge I have added myself is to use an FPGA in a BGA package - tbh there is no way round that if one wants the gigabit TRX included.

Sad part is, I am currently in some family troubles, in front of solving whether to move or not and how, then to start reconstructing the new place so it can be more usable and livable. 

[RoadRunner]

Cute! But why the gloves friend? 

Also, could you share some tests of the captured video output?

USB3 is way past what I would attack, I think it'd be enough for me to convert to just HDMI plus a HD-SDI outptu. Another silly challenge I have added myself is to use an FPGA in a BGA package - tbh there is no way round that if one wants the gigabit TRX included.

Sad part is, I am currently in some family troubles, in front of solving whether to move or not and how, then to start reconstructing the new place so it can be more usable and livable. 

There was no particular reason for wearing gloves. Right before taking this video i was doing some soldering work. I generally wear gloves while soldering to save my hands from my sticky liquid rosin flux.

Regards

[Yansi]

Okay i understand why the gloves now. Was just curiois if you are not afraid of the (leaded) solder.

[RoadRunner]

Okay i understand why the gloves know. Was just curiois if you are not afraid of the (leaded) solder.

I do not use leaded solder, Stannol tin solder works perfect for me . Though i am not afraid of lead solder but. I will still want to keep my self a km away from it.

I think flux is absolutely critical, After trying out tens of different flux type i have found my self making my own liquid flux with solid activated rosin.