OMAP3530 VPU
This page describes experiments carried out to create an embedded video processing unit based on the OMAP3530 application processor from Texas Instruments using Gumstix Overo COMs. This is one branch of the Embedded Video Processing and Radio Unit project. Logbook is on the talk page.
Contents
Obejctives
- Capture video from one or more cameras
- Compress and multiplex the videos with telemetry into a single transport stream suitable for transmission over the air
- Process incoming telcommands
First flight on amateur rocket
The objectives of this flight are:
- To test the Gumstix Overo Fire under high acceleration (TBD g)
- To capture images and/or video during the flight
We learned about an opportunity to fly onboard an amateur rocket (up to 3 km high). Flight will take place on October 3, 2010. Time is very short so we will be focusing on getting the Gumstix Overo Fire up and running, and have it record video during the flight. No real time video downlink.
System overview
Insert system diagram
Operating principle:
- After power on system boots Linux
- WiFi and Bluetooth are switched off
- Video capture script begins
gst-launch -v v4l2src num-buffers=18000 (TBC) ! image/jpeg,width=640,height=480,framerate=30/1 !\ avimux ! filesink location="video-%d.avi" 1> stdout-%d.log 2> stderr-%d.log
Configuration
OS version: Angstrom 2010.7-test-20100923
Desktop Image
Out of date
root@overo:~# df -h Filesystem Size Used Available Use% Mounted on /dev/root 1.8G 595.2M 1.1G 35% / devtmpfs 245.0M 188.0K 244.8M 0% /dev tmpfs 40.0K 0 40.0K 0% /mnt/.splash none 245.0M 188.0K 244.8M 0% /dev /dev/mmcblk0p2 1.8G 595.2M 1.1G 35% /media/mmcblk0p2 /dev/mmcblk0p1 38.6M 3.2M 35.3M 8% /media/mmcblk0p1 tmpfs 245.0M 1.5M 243.5M 1% /var/volatile tmpfs 245.0M 0 245.0M 0% /dev/shm tmpfs 245.0M 0 245.0M 0% /media/ram root@overo:~# free -k total used free shared buffers cached Mem: 501752 103500 398252 0 7784 59172 -/+ buffers/cache: 36544 465208 Swap: 0 0 0
Console image
'Out of date
root@overo:~# df -h Filesystem Size Used Available Use% Mounted on /dev/root 1.8G 154.7M 1.5G 9% / devtmpfs 118.1M 188.0K 117.9M 0% /dev none 118.1M 188.0K 117.9M 0% /dev /dev/mmcblk0p2 1.8G 154.7M 1.5G 9% /media/mmcblk0p2 /dev/mmcblk0p1 38.6M 3.2M 35.3M 8% /media/mmcblk0p1 tmpfs 118.1M 344.0K 117.8M 0% /var/volatile tmpfs 118.1M 0 118.1M 0% /dev/shm tmpfs 118.1M 0 118.1M 0% /media/ram root@overo:~# free -k total used free shared buffers cached Mem: 241856 45052 196804 0 3900 26996 -/+ buffers/cache: 14156 227700 Swap: 0 0 0
Tasks
General tasks
Task | Status |
---|---|
Get Gumstix Overo Fire up and running
|
100% |
Update image and boot from microSD | 100% |
WiFi[1][2] | |
Bluetooth[3] | |
Flash updated image to NAND | TBC |
Power consumption (with and without WiFi and BT)
Measurements done with Overo Fire on the Summit board. |
90% |
Development environment | |
Hardware DSP
|
For flight
Task | Status |
---|---|
Console image
|
Canceled |
Select software to capture and save video from camera during flight
→ Gstreamer pipeline capturing JPG to AVI selected |
100% |
Management software
|
10% |
Pinto-TH breakout board | Canceled Using Summit due to need for TTY |
Disable WiFi and BT
|
95% |
Batteries
|
100% |
Mounting hardware | |
Integration | |
Dry run using the Summit board |
Power budget
To be written
We have about 7 watts at our disposal.
Mass budget
To be written
Anticipated weight of electronics, camera and battery not including the mounting hardware is 120 grams.
Conclusions
- USB interface on Gusmtix Overo Fire is too slow for HD (even in MJPG mode). Max throughput appears to be around 10-15 Mbps.
Resources
- Overo: Setup and Programming on Gumstix developer site
- I/O, connectors & cabling
- WiFi and BT SoC specs (local copy).
- Setting up Wifi on Gumstix Overo Fire
- PIXHAWK – Many useful BeagleBoard and Gumstix Overo COM related things. In particular, they seem to use similar cameras to those I got with the Leopard board, see http://pixhawk.ethz.ch/wiki/pixhawk_camera_competition
- Minimal, quick booting Gumstix image and other resources
- SAKOMAN:
- http://specialcomp.com/index.htm – Nice acrylic cases
- OMAP Power Management – Embedded Linux Wiki.
References
- ↑ Gumstix users wiki: Overo Wifi
- ↑ Gumstix users wiki: Creating an Ad-hoc Network
- ↑ Gumstix users wiki: Bluetooth
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Gumstix Overo: Connector Overview & Design Information. See in particular Signals PDF.
- ↑ Minimal, quick booting Gumstix image and other resources
See also Embedded Video Processing and Radio Unit
Blogs
- 2010.09.06: Gumstix Overo Fire on a rocket
- 2010.09.12: Gumstix Overo Fire booting from microSD card
- 2010.09.13: Kernel panic, accidental downgrade and working webcam
- 2010.09.18: Gumstix Overo Fire status and re-scoping the project
- 2010.09.23: Video recorder update
- 2010.09.24: A few bits and pieces for the onboard video recorder
- 2010.09.28: Disabling the WiFi on the Gumstix Overo Fire
Videos
- 2010.09.12: Gumstix Overo Fire booting from microSD
- 2010.09.14: OpenGL Demos on Gumstix Overo Fire
- 2010.09.28: Disable WiFi on the Gumstix Overo Fire
Complete YouTube playlist