PicoPorch Final Touches

9 Jun 2024

Intro

The backyard camera system is finally nearing completion. It now consists of four different Raspberry Pi cameras (a Pi Camera Module 2, a Pi Camera Module 2 NOIR, a Pi Camera Module 3, and a Pi HQ Camera Module).. The cameras are run by 4 Raspberry Pis (2 Pi Zero 2Ws, a Pi 3B, and Pi 4B). The Pi 4B is a substitute for the Pi CM4 that, so far, just refuses to detect/connect any of these cameras. Both Camera Module 2 systems are mounted in small Hammond boxes and one of them is also protected by an exterior weatherproof Hammond enclosure.

The Pi Camera Module 3 (autofocus camera) is mounted in a larger weatherproof Hammond enclosure which is on a motorized panning mechanism. This motor subsystem is driven by a Raspberry Pi Pico, which is the 5th Raspberry Pi computer in the full system. The Pico also drives the Midas LCD that is part of the deigns challenge kit. It along with the system power supply, are protected by another large weatherproof Hammond enclosure. This brings the number of Hammond enclosure to 5.

Progress Video

This past week saw a lot more 3D design effort, 3D printing, cable assembly, software development and system testing. Here is a short video highlighting some of the latest work and how it operates:

Discussion

Despite my plans for the Compute Module 4 being foiled by a problem with camera recognition, the system still uses five Raspberry Pi computers and four Raspberry Pi cameras.

The system has also wound up with 5 Hammond enclosures, They have appropriate sized enclosures for just about any application.

The full system ended up a bit overboard on cameras, but they are all different and reflect the experimental nature of the project.

Next up:

Build the last cable and connect up all the cameras
Test he system in the wild (extreme environment)
See if my Wi-Fi chokes on all the video channels.
Make more videos and blogs

PicoPorch Final Touches

Intro

Progress Video

Discussion

Next up:

Links: