PiCAM is a custom-grade phenocam system designed by the Terrestrial Ecosystem Science & Technology group at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The PiCAM has the advantage of being compact, low power cost, and lightweight, particularly suitable for Arctic environments. It was desinged to operate for at least a fiscal year (6 images per day) with three AA lithium batteries. Given its compact and light-weight feature, PiCAM can be deployed on small hosts (e.g., stakes), addressing the challenges of deploying heavy infrastructure commonly needed for commercial phenocams.
Below, we describe the parts, assemble, and basic operation of PiCAMs. Please also refer to Yang et al., (submitted to MEE) for more detailed technical description of the PiCAM and example applications in Arctic field sites.
- Camera (Raspberry Pi Camera v2; Raspberry Pi Foundation). Example source: https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/camera-module-v2/
- Camera cable (FFC Ribbon Cable; Generic). Example source: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716TB6X3/ref=twister_B08NTCX71W?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
- GPS module (MINI GPS PA1010D STEMMA QT; Adafruit). Example source: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/adafruit-industries-llc/4415/10709724
- GPS cable (FLEXIBLE QWIIC CABLE - 500MM; Sparkfun). Example source: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/sparkfun-electronics/PRT-17257/13629026
- Supervisory controller (nrf52840; Nordic). Example source: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/nordic-semiconductor-asa/NRF52840-DONGLE/9491124
- Camera controller (Raspberry Pi Zero; Raspberry Pi Foundation). Example source: https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-zero/
- Power Switch/Driver (TPS2080DR; Texas Instruments). Example source: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/texas-instruments/TPS2080DR/1670863?s=N4IgTCBcDa4JwDYC0BmOKCsyCMSByAIiALoC%2BQA
- Lithium Iron AA (Energizer; Part number: L91). Example source: https://www.energizer.com/batteries/energizer-ultimate-lithium-batteries
- Case (Flashlight; Fulton Industries). Example source: https://www.armynavysales.com/angle-head-flashlight-mx-991-u-me124-558.html
- Memory card (32GB Micro SD Card; Samsung). Users can choose the size depend on need
- SOIC-8 to DIP Breakout (BOB-13655; Sparkfun). Example source: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/sparkfun-electronics/BOB-13655/5528943?s=N4IgTCBcDaIIwFYBsAOAtHOYDMaByAIiALoC%2BQA
- SWD Connector (10-pin 0.5mm; Samtec Inc.). Example source: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/samtec-inc/SHF-105-01-F-D-SM/8410395
A step-by-step instruction on how to assemble, program, and operate a PiCAM can be found at: https://github.com/TESTgroup-BNL/PiCam/wiki. Note that the assemble needed 3-D printed cases for housing the parts inside a Flashlight case. The design of these 3-D printed cases can be found at: https://github.com/TESTgroup-BNL/PiCam/tree/main/CAD. This guidance also include detailed instructions on how to program a PiCAM after assembly, as well how to operate a PiCAM using externel cell phone or latlop devices.
Adafruit nRF platform wrapper: https://github.com/dmpolukhin/Adafruit_nRF52_Arduino/tree/master/cores/nRF5
Shawn Serbin: [email protected] Andrew Mcmahon: [email protected] Daryl Yang: [email protected] Jeremiah Anderson: [email protected] Wouter Hantson: [email protected]