开云体育

Project timeline

The current planning contains the following project phases:

• proof-of-concept (modification of an existing camera ASI120MM, by adding an external digital time inserter module) -?completed
• prototype version 1 (standalone camera, based on an On Semi AR0130CSSM sensor) -?completed
• firmware development and testing for prototype version 1 -?completed
  • On the host side, we'd like to provide an ASCOM video driver for the camera.?(ASCOM video driver project seems to have been abandoned)
  • It should be possible to save SER files with GPS timestamps in the metadata.
  • The control tool should be extended to support 16-bit SER recording, histogram, dark and flat frame subtraction
• Prototyp Version 2?(standalone camera, based on community feedback and experience with prototype version 1) -?completed
  • The re-designed camera contains a large number of new components (USB-C, microSD, new GPS module, RAM, new FPGA, RF switch and so on). V2 is without RAM and SD card, but with?. For V3, the design will be completed and condensed.
• firmware development and testing for prototype version 2 -?completed
  • All components of the new hardware platform are working fine, except for the integrated GPS antenna of the GPS module. The rugged USB-C connector is causing some soldering issues because the pin spacing is very narrow, pins are extremely thin and need to be cut to avoid stubs which cause reflection on the USB3 pins. One of the LVDS channels has been placed on the wrong FPGA bank, causing issues with clock supply and limiting the frame rate.?
  • Firmware for the IMX174 is available. This version supports the full WUXGA resolution of the chip (1920 x 1200). The frame rate is limited to 30fps due to a technical issue of the V2 board. The timestamp should be accurate to +/-0.5ms, testet with our EXTA. See the?separate page for IMX174 firmware progress.
  • We've decided to use the IMX178 instead of AR0130 in the final release of the camera. This sensor is only slightly more expensive but the field of view is nearly twice as big.?
• Prototype Version 3 (release candidate 1, RC1) -?completed
  • Changes vs. version 2: Drop internal GPS antenna, add GPIO interface, add 256 MBytes DDR2 RAM buffer, change to a 0.8mm pitch FPGA, fix LVDS channel placing, improve power management, reduce startup time, switch to more stable oscillators (SiT5000)
  • First light?was successful on 21.08.2020, with an adapted V2 firmware.?
  • Three camera cases have been milled and anodized.?Three V3 prototypes?have been assembled (#12, #13, #14).?
  • Firmware modifications to benefit from the V3 hardware improvements have been implemented, including support for 297 MHz DDR sensor clock frequency, 32-bit data bus to the USB controller, wider pixel pipeline. The same firmware (0.9.58 and newer) supports all 3 sensors.
  • Functioning of all electronic components has been successfully verified (power supply, oscillators, system controller, GPIO interface, USB mux and controller, FPGA, DDR2 DRAM, sensor interface). Minor issues have been identified.
• Prototype V3 (release candidate 2, RC2)?-?ongoing
  • PCB updates to fix the minor issues identified in RC1-?completed
  • Small optimizations (to check)
    • Drop DRAM?-?completed
    • Sensor identification via I2C / EEPROM to allow for more sensor types? - will not be done
    • Move sensor board LDOs to connector board to reduce heat on the sensor board - will not be done; effect is negligible
  • Manufacturing cost evaluation?-?completed
  • Verification of the timing precision?-?ongoing
  • CE (and FCC?) certification -?ongoing
  • USB vendor ID?-?ongoing
• kickstarter campain -?ongoing
  • We're currently working on determining the camera options and prices.