Linux camera, video server power up over Ethernet
Linux camera, video server power up over Ethernet
February 27, 2008
From: linuxdevices.com
Nuvation
has introduced two Linux-based reference designs that run on Texas
Instruments (TI) DaVinci processors, and support power-over-Ethernet
(PoE). The IP Camera includes its own high-resolution camera sensor and
lens, while the IVS is designed for use with external analog CCTV
(closed-circuit TV) cameras.
Both designs are based on TI's TMS320DM644x system-on-chip (SoC), which
integrates an ARM926 processor core with a TMS320C64x+ DSP (digital
signal processor) core. Both run a "real-time" MontaVista Linux 2.6
distribution, says Nuvation
Nuvation claims both designs can compress full-color 720x480 (D1) video
over Ethernet at up to 30fps. Both are also said to support optional
video analytics intelligence software. Supported codecs include H.264,
MPEG-4/H.263, MPEG-2, MJPEG, and G.711 video.
Both the IPCam and the IVS designs boast an optional TI TPS23750 board,
which combines a PoE 802.3af-compliant TPS2375 PD controller with an
integrated DC/DC converter. The PoE board accepts power over CatV
Ethernet cable, enabling more flexible placement of surveillance
cameras.
The IPCam PoE design is the second in Nuvation's IPCam line of
products, following up on the IPCam Mini reference design it introduced
a year ago. The new version is identically sized at a modest 3.25 x 1.7
x 1.8 inches (79 x 43 x 47mm), and adds "enhanced features, COGS [cost
of goods sold], and thermal characteristics," says the company. Like
its predecessor, the IPCam PoE incorporates Pixim's Orca imaging
chipset, which is said to implement patented image processing features
likely to increase the chances of positive subject identification in
video surveillance applications.
Nuvation's Intelligent Video Server reference design offers a
single-channel audio/video streamer that can adapt a standard CCTV
analog camera into an Internet Protocol (IP) streamer. It measures 4.25
x 1.7 x 1.8 inches (108 x 43 x 47 mm). I/O interfaces include USB 2.0,
Ethernet (RJ-45), and analog video (NTSC/PAL), with optional WiFi and
WiMax.
Nuvation also announced two other reference designs due in the second
quarter that appear to use a proprietary RTOS instead of Linux. The
Multichannel Video Front-End (McVFE) is designed to merge up to 16
analog video streams for video security applications, and the Scalable
Video Platform (SVP) is described as an advanced video development
platform working with DaVinci-based video arrays.
Nuvation's reference designs include PCB design source files, bills of
materials, optimized Linux board support package (BSP), Pixim processor
firmware, mechanical enclosure, design documentation, and support.
Nuvation also provides design customization and ODM production
services, it says.
Availability
Evaluation units for the IP Camera PoE reference design are available
now at a price of $4,000 each for five or fewer units. Intelligent
Video Server reference designs are also available at an undisclosed
price. Reference design source files can be licensed from Nuvation.
More information on the IP Camera PoE is available here, and the IVS
page is here.
Nexvision sells a DaVinci-based IP camera reference design similar to
Nuvation's IPCam. The Nexdome DragonFly lacks the PoE support, but
offers a "360 degree, X180 immersive lens" that enables users to zoom
in on a scene through a virtual pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) display.
