DINO Camera Selection Report
Subsystem:Science
Subject:Camera Selection
Author:Brian Taylor
Date:11/14/03
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the camera options available to the DINO science team. Camera traits will affect DINO’s operational capability and quality of stereoscopic imaging to determine cloud height. In addition to performance requirements, only digital cameras with C-mount capability were considered to allow for lens attachment in order to meet NASA’s safety regulations. This paper concludes with designs for interfacing the camera with DINO’s flight computer and the tentative camera selection of the DINO science team.
Scope
Five cameras from Olympus and Nikon appeared to meet all functionality requirements. These cameras are discussed in more detail below. Parameters being analyzed for camera selection are: available resolutions, photograph size, and cost. All of the cameras discussed have USB for interfacing requirements, but lack LINUX drivers. Alternative interface designs are included in this paper. Although not discussed, the field of view affects the DINO algorithm for stereoscopic height determination and accuracy. The reason field of view is not included in this paper is because it is affected by the lens chosen, not the camera.
OlympusCameras
The E20N and E10N have resolution sizes ranging from 1280x960 to 2560x1920 depending on the image type. Both have an available 2.5 or 5.0 megapixel image size based on whether a progressive or an interlaced scan is used respectively. The E20N costs $1499 and the E10N costs $1099. Both cameras are readily available for purchase.
The C5050 has an available resolution ranging from 640x480 to 3200x2400. The photograph size is 5.0 megapixel and it costs $699. The C5050 is available for purchase.
The C4000 has resolution options between 640x480 and 3200x2400, again depending on image type. A 4.0 megapixel photograph size is available and the cost for the camera is $499. The camera is readily available.
All of the Olympus cameras are available both from the manufacturer and through the consumer market.
Nikon Camera
The Nikon Coolpix 4500 was considered. It has available resolutions ranging up to 2272x1704. Photograph size is 4.0 megapixel and the camera is available for $700 through both the manufacturer and consumer market.
Interface
Since none of the cameras have LINUX drivers, two options are present. First, software could be written to communicate with the camera through the USB port. Unfortunately, this is a very time consuming and tedious process. Second, the camera’s flash card could be interfaced with DINO’s flight computer effectively writing the images straight to our computer. The camera interface has not been designed yet and neither method chosen.
Prospective Camera
The Olympus C4000 is our tentative camera choice. It performs adequately in all areas and is available for a much lower price than other alternatives.
Further Information
DigitalCamSpecs.pdf(available from Olympus)
DINO Trade Point Study Report(DINO-SCI-TPS-cameras)
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