NT Camera

Since firmware version v2.04e, NT camera modules are supported.

The NT camera module allows to remote control a camera. It thus serves a similar purpose as the various RC camera remote control modules, such as CAMremote, CamCntrl, IR Remote Shutter Controller, and all the others. Instead of listening to a servo PWM signal however it listens to the data on the NT bus. It is thus usually connected to the NT bus near the camera NT IMU module, which yields extremely slim wiring schemes (see also here). The camera remote control is tied to the IR Came,ra Control function in the [Functions] tab, i.e. it's behavior is determined by the settings in this parameter section, see Advanced Functions: IR Camera Remote Control.

In addition, the NT camera module also acts as a "PWM out" module. That is, it outputs a additional servo PWM signal, which is an exact mirror of the Pwm Out signal available on the STorM32 board (when set up accordingly). This PWM signal is tied to the Pwm Out Control function in the [Functions] tab, i.e. it's behavior is determined by the settings in this parameter section, see Advanced Functions: Pwm Out.

Currently, dedicated NT camera hardware has not yet emerged, but the NT camera function is also integrated in the NT IMU firmware. This means that those NT IMU modules which expose extra pins can simultaneously be used also as NT camera modules. Specifically we are talking about the "big" v1.x NT IMU module and the CC3D Atom based modules.

In v2.05e three signals are provided on the NT IMU modules at three pins, namely

• IR Camera: standard servo PWM signal (with ca. 60Hz frequency)
• IR Camera: 50 ms off/on/off pulse
• Pwm Out: standard servo PWM signal (with ca. 60Hz frequency)

The two "IR Camera" signals are related to the IR Camera Control function, and the "Pwm Out" signal is related to the Pwm Out Control function. For hardware reasons the NT IMU modules cannot drive IR LEDs, and this remote control option is thus not available with them.

The IR Camera PWM signal could directly feed cameras, which can be triggered by such signals, such as the Gitup Git2 or Foxeer Legend 1, or could be connected to RC camera remote control modules, such as those mentioned in the introduction.

The IR Camera pulse signal can be used for all sorts of purposes. For instance, it could be connected to a semiconductor relais to drive an IR led, or to short some pins on a USB remote.