Description
Challenge
A large defense company requested a remote visual solution that would be suitable for long range surveillance. The customer required outdoor IP cameras with HD resolution and 30x optical zoom that could endure harsh environments in a wide range of extreme heat and cold temperatures. The cameras needed a cold startup in as low as -26 deg C ambient temperature, an operation that a standard outdoor camera would not be able to achieve.
Development
The InterTest team choose a Sony FCB-9520L block camera that offered outstanding clarity with 12x digital zoom and 360x with optical zoom. With over 2.13 Megapixels this camera was the optimal choice however, the minimum operating temperature for a the camera is -5 deg C. A heating system would needed to be implemented into the IP67 housings, as well as a thermostat to accurately regulate the internal housing temperature. A reliable and adequate power source would also need to be designed to accommodate all of the components.
Solution
InterTest engineers selected the Sony FCB-9520L block camera and paired it with the Z3 Q603-15 encoder board for this project, due to their combination of high performance, low latency, and reliability. The enclosure consisted of an outdoor IP67 rated housing to sustain performance in a wide range of rugged environmental conditions. To address the hurdle of ensuring camera start up and continuous operation in extremely cold temperatures, two heaters were built into each housing drawing a mere 250-280mA of additional current, thereby enabling low power consumption and by-passing the need to add a second power line. The final products were tested in a specialized freezer with a digital temperature preset, to ensure the cameras could withstand the temperature demands.
Related Products:
Z3 Technology Q603-15 Video Encoder Interface Board
