TTL Serial Camera
Created by lady ada
Last updated on 2014-07-12 09:15:08 AM EDT
Guide Contents
Guide Contents
Overview
Sample Images
2
3
4
Wiring the Camera
Testing the Camera
Using CommTool
7
11
13
Despite the software letting you change the baud rate this is a very flaky setting and
even if it works, when you power up the camera again it will reset. Some experimenters
have accidentally disabled their cameras by trying to change the baud rate. We do not
suggest you mess with the baud rate settings. If you do, you may permanently disable
your camera and we will not replace it!
18
Using the Camera
Taking a Snapshot
Detecting Motion
Adjusting the Manual Focus
22
23
24
25
F.A.Q.
Buy a TTL Serial Camera
Downloads
Unsupported Alternate libraries
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28
29
29
© Adafruit Industries
https://learn.adafruit.com/ttl-serial-camera
Page 2 of 29
Overview
This tutorial is for our new TTL serial camera module with NTSC video output. These
modules are a nice addition to a microcontroller project when you want to take a photo or
control a video stream. The modules have a few features built in, such as the ability to
change the brightness/saturation/hue of images, auto-contrast and auto-brightness
adjustment, and motion detection.
Since it is a little confusing how this is both a snapshot and video camera, we'd like to
explain it in detail now. The module was initially designed for surveillance purposes. Its
meant to constantly stream TV-resolution video out of the Video pin (this is NTSC
monochrome format) and also take commands from the serial port. The serial port
commands can request that the module freeze the video and then download a JPEG color
image. So for example, normally its just displaying video to a security monitor. When motion
is detected, it would take a photo and save it to a disk for later analysis.
The module is admittedly not extremely high resolution - the maximum image size it can
take is 640x480 pixels. And it is sensitive to infrared light, which alters the color rendition
somewhat. The reason for all this is that it's meant for surveillance, not for nature
© Adafruit Industries
https://learn.adafruit.com/ttl-serial-camera
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photography. However, as far as we can tell, this is the best module on the market.
Mo dule size:
32mm x 32mm
Image senso r:
CMOS 1/4 inch
CMOS Pixels:
0.3M
Pixel size:
5.6um*5.6um
Output fo rmat:
Standard JPEG/M-JPEG
White balance:
Automatic
Expo sure:
Automatic
Gain:
Automatic
Shutter:
Electronic rolling shutter
SNR:
45DB
Dynamic Range:
60DB
Max analo g gain:
16DB
Frame speed:
640*480 30fps
Scan mo de:
Progressive scan
Viewing angle:
60 degrees
Mo nito ring distance:
10 meters, maximum 15meters (adjustable)
Image size:
VGA (640*480), QVGA (320*240), QQVGA (160*120)
Baud rate:
Default 38400 (the datasheet claims you can change the baud rate with a
command but it does not work reliably)
Current draw:
75mA
Operating vo ltage:
DC +5V
Co mmunicatio n:
3.3V TTL (Three wire TX, RX, GND)
Sample Images
Here are two example images, one of outside during a cloudy day, and one inside on a
sunny day.
© Adafruit Industries
https://learn.adafruit.com/ttl-serial-camera
Page 4 of 29
© Adafruit Industries
https://learn.adafruit.com/ttl-serial-camera
Page 5 of 29