Camera Module - cable length....

Hi!

I just found the CAMERA Module for the Raspberry Pi and have a question for that.

Is it possible to extend the camera "cable"? What could be the maximum length then?

I am thinking about a special application where I need to push the camera with a special rod and the distance should be apr. 60m...... The camera is build into the a "Head" at the front end of the pushrod cable and the rapberry pi acts as recording device at the other end.....

Any ideas?

Thanks

shabaz over 12 years ago

Hi Thomas,
I don't believe that this will work, if the camera board has just a parallel interface with 3.3v logic. The drivers on the camera won't have have enough drive to rapidly send 1s and zeros on a long cable, because of the capacitance, it will alter the shape of the waveform. Maybe the camera board sends using some other technology, but you'd need to check with the RPI foundation.
Some people may suggest screened cable but that won't help you. Some (not all) possible solutions are to:
1. Remotely mount the RPI too, and use Ethernet which will be fine for 100m
2. Use an analog camera and coax, and no RPI - this uses a transmission technology known as "transmission line" (same as Ethernet) which in theory can be as long as you like - in practice there will be loss
3. Use an analog camera and wireless technology and no RPI
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Former Member over 12 years ago in reply to shabaz

shabaz wrote:

Hi Thomas,
I don't believe that this will work,
You'd be wrong...

http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=43737&sid=419088a3e7ea47166e240dfef5fa8bd1&start=22

http://www.bitwizard.nl/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=146
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shabaz over 12 years ago in reply to Former Member

That is interesting, maybe they're using LVDS type technology? Not sure what CSI/DSI specifies.
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Former Member over 12 years ago in reply to shabaz

not sure myself, but the schematics show what appears to be three sets of differential pairs. You might expect more problems with the I2C over a distance, but they're using fairly low value pullups, so probably ok unless it's running at high speeds
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shabaz over 12 years ago in reply to Former Member

That's very cool. So, Thomas, in that case, normal ribbon may be fine but it's an experiment, or something like Ethernet cable type wiring could be used in theory too, but that's an experiment too because the impedance might not match. And as Selsinork says, your limit may end up being the I2C control signals, unless it's a slow speed.
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Former Member over 12 years ago

For longer cables, see this ebay listing
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AlienSpec-CSI-DSI-Camera-Ribbon-Cable-5cm-10cm-15cm-20cm-30cm-for-Raspberry-Pi-/121051772597?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&var=&hash=item1c2f3f76b5

e14, if you're listening it would be good if you stocked some alternate length 15 way ffc/fpc cables (currently only 14 & 16's) and maybe have them listed as accessories to the camera module now that it's back in stock
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Former Member over 12 years ago

There's a wider range of sellers with these on eBay now, and the prices are coming down, such as: Camera (CSI/DSI) Flat Ribbon Cable for the Raspberry Pi - Lengths: 10cm to 100cm | eBay
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royston02 over 12 years ago in reply to Former Member

any other websites
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