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GRUNDIG uP CAM SYSTEM
INTRO
Surveillance cameras are getting smarter.
Grundig’s latest FA and FAC series cameras feature remote interrogation and
programming for faster configuration and more flexible operation
COPY
The days when video cameras were simply
semi-passive transducers, converting visible light into electrical impulses,
are fast disappearing. Video cameras are evolving at an unprecedented rate, due
mainly to rapid advances, and the falling cost of digital control and
processing systems.
Grundig are at the leading edge of this
technology; their uP Cam system is centred on a range of high-performance colour
and monochrome cameras, that can be remotely controlled and configured by a stand-alone
controller or PC-based control software.
We’ve been trying out the FAC831 colour
camera with a BMK 801 dedicated control unit and PGE operating software. The
FAC831 is one of a series of Grundig cameras that contain their own their own
on-board microprocessors and control software. They all have the facility to communicate
with control devices via a two-way telemetry link, that carries control data,
video information and alarm signals.
The FAC831 (and its monochrome stablemate
FA871) use single 1/2-inch interline, Hyper-Had, CCD image sensors, each with
440k pixels with a 581 x 756 (effective)
display matrix. This gives a quoted horizontal resolution of 570-lines
for the FA871, and 390-lines for the FC831 (using a Y/C output). The FA871 will
produce an exploitable image at 0.1 lux, whilst the FAC831 operates down to 0.4
lux, typical scene illumination levels are 0.5 lux and 2 lux respectively. Models
fitted with optional storage modules use field integration to increase
low-light sensitivity to 0.006 lux in the case of the FA871, and 0.025 lux for
the FC831 (16 fields).
In addition to basic camera functions the
FAC831 has a number of extra facilities. They include a unique stored serial number,
high-speed shutter, automatic black-level control using an adjustable window of
sensitivity, four white level memories, ident and alarm text insertion and external
synchronisation (genlock). Optional facilities include peak-light blanking for
reducing the impact of bright lights in the scene, field memory picture storage
and security code protection.
Some more general facts and figures:
physically the cameras look very similar. They share a common heavy-gauge die-cast
housing measuring 139.8 x 60 x 66mm with standard 1/4-inch UNC mounting threads
(one on the top, two on the bottom). Both cameras are intended for indoor use,
a range of weatherproof housings are available. The cameras be fitted with C or
CS-mount lenses, without the need for an adapter; a mechanical back-focus
adjusting screw is accessible from the left side of the case. Rear panel connections
comprise a BNC socket, carrying composite video output, a 9-pin D socket for
lens connections, plus a 15-pin D socket for the remote interface, and
composite or Y/C configured video signals, (in the case of the colour cameras).
Power consumption is 6 watts for both cameras, and the supply voltage is
nominally 12 volts DC, though it will operate in the range 10 to 30 volts DC;
the camera’s internal power supply has reverse polarity protection.
Quality of construction is generally good. The
FAC381 sample we’ve been testing contained eight separate glass-fibre PCBs,
populated entirely with surface-mount components (SMCs). The main boards are
held rigidly in place, though one of the daughter boards, close to the top of
the case, is only loosely supported by a pair of edge connectors and could be susceptible
to excessive vibration.
EXTERNAL CONTROL
Two methods of remote control and
configuration are possible. The first is the BMK 801 control unit. This is a
small stand-alone console measuring 330 x 157 x 55mm. It connects to the camera
(or system) via a serial interface cable merged with an external PSU, that plugs
into the camera’s 15-pin D-socket. The BMK 801 operates on three levels: it controls
all of the camera’s general functions, including (where fitted), focus, zoom plus
pan and tilt head alignment; secondly it allows password-protected access to
the camera’s configuration menu; and lastly, password-protected access to
service-level functions.
Once connected the camera can be accessed by
calling up the on-screen menu, which appears as superimposed text on the camera’s
video output. Entering the appropriate password and selecting the type of
camera (colour or monochrome) calls up the main configuration menus and
sub-menus. The first page deals with video processing, synchronisation, output
interface, text insertion and alarm management. Video processing includes sub
menus for auto or manual high-speed & slow-speed shutter, AGC on/off, gain-up (+4dB), white balance
(auto, red/blue detune, artificial light, daylight, WB lock etc.) and auto
black level (monochrome cameras only). Text insertion covers creating and
editing camera idents, text position and character size. Alarm management
includes setting the position and sensitivity of two alarm fields, creating and
editing alarm text messages and setting alarm status. The alarm fields appear
as black outlines that can be positioned anywhere within the screen. When the
facility is enabled an activation will cause a pre-set text message to be
superimposed on the camera output.
Page two on the menu display defines four
possible status pages that can be displayed by pressing a button on the BMK 801’s
control panel, this menu also contains programming options for the eight function
keys on the control unit and saving user settings. The function keys give short-cut
access to the picture store, white balance adjustment, camera selection,
pan/tilt settings and alarm field activation.
The third menu page is concerned with saving positions
for the pan/tilt head, enabling the security mode, (which renders the camera unusable
if its stolen), service mode and pre-setting selectable functions on two remote
control inputs.
Menu options are selected using the shift key,
changed using the four cursor buttons, and enabled with the enter button. All
changes are enacted immediately, and shown on the monitor output. After any
settings have been altered the menu gives the user the option to save the changes
before returning to normal operation with the new configuration.
The camera’s service mode can only be
accessed using a second password and it would not normally need to be used,
other than by qualified service personelle. For the record the adjustments that
can be made include: gain, peak light threshold, black-level reference, white
clipping, Y gamma, chroma level, chroma gamma, sync level, burst level, white
balance control rate, camera address, password change and communications
parameters.
PC CONTROL
The second control option requires an IBM or
compatible AT or XT PC, with a minimum of 640k of memory, and preferably a hard
disc as well. The PGE package includes the software disc, interface module,
security module and camera power supply unit.
The operating software is DOS-based and is
installed by typing PGEINST at the DOS prompt. The software supplied for review
with our system showed clear signs of its German origin and the option to change
to English text only appears after the third page of on-screen loading
instructions, which can be quite confusing. Even so a few German commands
persist in the English menus. The program is fairly small, it occupies around
800k of disc space, and modifies the computer’s autoexec.bat file so that the
PC boots up to the PGE program; loading takes only a minute or so. We tried the
software on two PCs, one a 486/33 machine, the other a 386/25 laptop, in both
cases it performed faultlessly.
The camera connects to one of the PC’s free
serial interfaces via a small module that attaches to the back of the camera’s 15-pin
D-socket. Alternatively, for PCs without a spare serial socket, a optional RS-485
interface card is available, that plugs into one of the PC’s expansion slots. The
security module (dongle) contains edit ‘credits’ -- more about that in a moment
-- this plugs into the PC’s parallel printer port.
When the program is loaded a Grundig logo
appears, followed by a fairly conventional DOS screen. Menu selections can be
made from the keyboard, or by the mouse. The options are not as extensive as
those available from the BMK 801. They include: basic camera control functions
(zoom, pan/tilt, alarm messages and status); video processing (shutter, gain,
white balance, black level, aperture, gamma correction, and iris type);
synchronisation (internal or external) and general housekeeping functions
(factory settings, output interfaces, communications parameters etc.).
The options menu deals with the camera’s
higher functions, and these require a certain number of ‘credits’ to be
downloaded from the removable security module, preventing unauthorised
tampering. The menu includes settings for peak light, mains coupling, restart,
text insertion, security mode, output configuration and picture storage. Some of these parameters require optional
modules to be fitted to the camera. Changes made to this menu can be given a ‘60-hour’
delineation, for test purposes, with the changes reverting back to previous
settings after 60 hours have elapsed. All menu selections have associated ‘help’
files, which can be called up at any time.
PERFORMANCE
There’s so much flexibility it’s easy to
loose sight of basic camera operation. With all settings at normal factory
defaults, and fitted with a 8.5mm f1/5 manual iris lens, our sample managed to resolve over 320-lines,
using a composite video feed to a monitor. This rose to a little over 360-lines
using a Y/C video feed. Colour fidelity using the auto WB setting was very good,
with no displacement except for some very slight smearing on patches of high
saturation. Colour and luminance noise levels were both very low. At lower
illumination levels the image remained coherent, with plenty of useful detail
still in the image, though there was a noticeable increase in grain and noise
towards the lower end of the camera’s operating range. The auto exposure and
shutter systems work well, they’re reasonably responsive and cope well with
moderately fast changes in lighting level.
Of the two remote control options the BMK 801
has the widest range of options and is clearly preferable in more complex
installations, where more of the camera’s exposure and colour control facilities
may be required. It’s fast and easy to use, with the results of any changes
immediately visible on the monitor screen. It also lends itself more easily to
permanent installation. The PMG package still has a lot to commend it though,
and whilst it’s not as comprehensive as the BMK 801, and slower to use, nevertheless it gives the installer sufficient control to fine-tune the camera for
most routine situations. The software and accompanying instructions have a few
rough edges, though anyone reasonably conversant with PCs should have little
trouble getting it up and running.
SUMMARY
The uP Cam system is an impressive
demonstration of the role advanced digital control systems has to play in video
surveillance, and a clear indication of the way the technology is progressing.
The FAC381 camera performs very well indeed, it’s rugged and encased in a weatherproof housing it is well
suited to harsh environments. However, because
of its specialist nature, and the necessity for external control systems to
exploit all of its many functions, it is better suited to more demanding
applications, rather than for general surveillance.
SPECIFICATIONS
Make/model Grundig
FA87
Line standard 625/50 CCIR
Image sensor 0.5-inch
interline hyper-HAD, 473k pixels (596 x 797) total, 440k (581 x 756) effective
Horizontal resolution 570-lines
Min. exploitable sens 0.1-lux
Min. sensitivity 0.5 lux
S/N ratio (min AGC) 62dB
High speed shutter 14-speeds (1/50, 125,
250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 10000, 20000, 50000, 100000, 200000, 500000,
1,000000 th sec)
Dimensions 139.8
x 60 x 66mm
Weight 0.7kg
Lens mount C/CS
Make/model Grundig
FAC830
Line standard 625/50 CCIR-PAL
Image sensor 0.5-inch
interline hyper-HAD, 473k pixels (596 x 797) total, 440k (581 x 756) effective
Horizontal resolution 320-lines (CVBS), 390-lines (Y/C)
Min. exploitable sens 0.4 lux
Typical sensitivity 2 lux
S/N ratio (min AGC) 52dB
High speed shutter 14-speeds (1/50,
125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 10000, 20000, 50000, 100000, 200000, 500000, 1,000000
th sec)
Dimensions 139.8
x 60 x 66mm
Weight 0.7kg
Lens mount C/CS
Make/model Grundig BMK 801
Camera interface RS-485
Baud rate 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600
Dimensions 330 x 157 x 55mm
Weight 2kg
Make/model Grundig
PGE
System requirements IBM or
compatible XT/AT with 640k memory and DOS 3.1 or higher
Camera interface Grundig
9.49061-1501
Power supply camera
supply unit SN 830 1 H.XG 05003
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Ó R. Maybury 1995 1808
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