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 here). The camera remote control is tied to the IR Camera Control function in the [Functions] tab.
In addition, the NT camera module also acts as a "PWM out" module. That is, it outputs an 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.
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 this are 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 determined by the settings associated with the IR Camera Control function; for details see Advanced Functions: IR Camera Remote Control. The "Pwm Out" signal is affected by the settings for the Pwm Out Control function, see Advanced Functions: Pwm Out. 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.
